Page 41 - The East Sussex Way

Diamond 9

A useful activity when asking pupils to discuss or come to a consensus
about the signiÞ cance or importance of ideas, sources or information
of any kind. In pairs or groups, pupils must place nine cards into a

diamond shape to rank the ideas on them.

Drip-fed-facts

Reveal clues or facts at intervals throughout a lesson. Pupils work
together to create hypotheses which develop as more information is
gathered.

Odd one out

Develop critical thinking skills to make a decision, applying well-
reasoned answers and justifying through talk. This encourages pupils
to be active listeners too, as they respond to points made by others
(either to agree, ask for further explanation, or rebut with an idea of
their own.)

Posters and concept cartoons

Provide pupils in pairs or small groups with a written summary which
they should work in pairs or groups to transform into a poster with no

words or a limited number of words.

Secret picture

Here, pupils work in pairs with one of the pair able to see an image
displayed on the whiteboard while the other can’t. The pupil without
the board must describe a picture to the other, who has to draw it.

Taboo

Sometimes called ‘Back to the board’, Taboo is a talking game. One
pupil must get another to say a given word using other associated
words or describing it. Play in pairs, teams or with the whole class.

Talking points

Thought-provoking statements encourage pupils to talk about a
speciÞ c topic, sharing what they know/understand as well as what
they do not know/feel unsure about. The statements help pupils to
focus on a topic/concept and compare their point of view with

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