We don’t typically consider brain breaks for the secondary classroom. However the fact is, they want them simply as a lot as elementary college students, particularly should you educate on a block schedule with a 90- or 120-minute block. We’re all on the lookout for methods to refresh our college students’ brains, and @strategicclassroom’s TikTok supplies us with one that’s quick, straightforward, and, most significantly, enjoyable.
What’s Wikiracing?
This mind break is just not solely enjoyable, nevertheless it’s additionally a stimulating approach to get up college students’ brains. Wikiracing is a aggressive and academic recreation that leverages Wikipedia’s huge community of linked articles to create a race that’s each thrilling and informative. The sport begins with two fully unrelated subjects, similar to girls’s suffrage and apricots. College students begin on the Wikipedia web page for the primary matter and should navigate to the second utilizing solely the hyperlinked articles inside Wikipedia. The catch? They’ll’t use the again button or the search perform, including a layer of technique to the sport.
Right here’s easy methods to arrange this mind break:
- Choose subjects. You may select subjects related to your present curriculum or fully random topics so as to add a component of shock (e.g., girls’s suffrage and apricots). Encourage college students to counsel subjects and draw them from a hat to spice up participation.
- Clarify the foundations. Emphasize that college students should click on solely blue hyperlinks and can’t use the again or search capabilities.
- Observe progress. Determine to crown the winner primarily based on velocity (first to the second matter) or effectivity (fewest clicks).
To get began, all you want is a projector or smartboard to show the preliminary matter and observe progress. Wikiracing is usually a fast five-minute break or a extra prolonged exercise, relying on the way you construction the competitors. Personally, my mind breaks solely lasted max 5 minutes, however I do know some academics (like my husband!) utilize Bluey seven-minute episodes as their mind breaks.
Hearken to this instructor describe how she makes use of Wikiracing:
Suggestions from academics
Lecturers in @strategicclassroom’s remark part have offered suggestions:
- Academic worth: Many educators admire Wikiracing for its potential to mix enjoyable with studying. They acknowledge its potential to reinforce basic information and analysis abilities, as college students navigate by means of varied linked subjects.
- Implementation challenges: Some academics face obstacles like restricted Wikipedia entry of their districts, hampering their potential to make use of this device. Others expressed the necessity for steerage on successfully implementing and monitoring the sport to make sure equity and academic relevance. Once I was in center college, we performed “Google Whacking” and all of us liked it!
- Scholar engagement: Lecturers famous excessive ranges of scholar engagement when taking part in Wikiracing. They worth the exercise’s aggressive nature and mental stimulation, typically seen as a refreshing change from typical classroom duties.
- Recommendations for enchancment: There may be curiosity in growing clearer guidelines and methods to reinforce the academic outcomes of Wikiracing. Concepts embrace aligning the exercise with curriculum requirements and verifying college students’ navigation paths to take care of the sport’s integrity.
Able to attempt?
Prepared to provide your college students a mind break that they’ll truly sit up for? Strive Wikiracing in your subsequent class and watch their engagement for the second half of sophistication skyrocket.
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