MacGyver to the Rescue!

1. MacGyver to the Rescue! Summer Institute, 2013

2. Games in Advanced ELL classes • Why they’re good: fun way to review, easy way to have students practice additional skills while also using foundational skills, good for mixed level classes, good for big and small classes • Why they’re a challenge: students think they are too advanced to be playing games, don’t think they will learn from them, are sick of playing the same games • MacGyver, Skim and Scan Bingo, Relays

3. How to Play MacGyver • Step One: Write a short story about a problem, fold your paper, and pass your paper to the left. Example: A cat is stuck up a tree. There is a flood and the water is rising.

4. Step Two • Step Two: Without reading the story, make a list of three things and pass your paper to the left. Example: banana, pencil, and hat.

5. Step Three • Step Three: Open the paper in front of you and read the story. Turn the paper over and read the list of items. Write a solution to the problem. You must use all three of the items on the list, and cannot use any additional items. • Example: I would use the banana like a boomerang to knock the cat out of the tree. I would use the hat like a net to catch the cat. I would use the pencil to write my name and phone number on the tree so that the cat’s owner knows how to contact me.

6. Your turn to play! • Step One: Write a short story about a problem, fold your paper, and pass your paper to the left. • Step Two: Without reading the story, make a list of three things and pass your paper to the left. Example: banana, pencil, and hat. • Step Three: Open the paper in front of you and read the story. Turn the paper over and read the list of items. Write a solution to the problem. You must use all three of the items on the list, and cannot use any additional items.

7. Variations • Electronic: Students can use email to go from one step to the next, or a shared document that multiple students can contribute to • Groups: Have students talk and write in groups • Writing: Students can write entire paragraphs describing their problem. • Teacher generated: teacher can write scenario and choose items, then students solve problem • Real world problems: someone has an interview and doesn’t know which bus to take. What items does he need and how can he use them to find the information?

8. Why MacGyver is a good game • Depending on how you play, students practice: • Critical thinking skills • Problem solving skills • Reading and writing • Creativity • Group work • Metaphorical thinking • How to use available resources to make things happen

9. Scanning Bingo • Directions: Give students a bingo sheet with questions about a reading. Instruct students that the first one to get Bingo will “win.”

10. Variations • Internet research: instead of a specific reading, give students a BINGO card with broader questions and have them research using the internet. (see Ancient Rome and Greece example)

11. Why scanning bingo is a good game? • Students who read the entire reading first and then look at the questions will lose. Students who look at a question and then scan the reading the find the answer will win. Being able to read for specific information is important when students need to read longer passages and for taking standardized tests.

12. Relays • Directions: Put students into groups. Write a series of questions to help review materials. Make enough for each group and cut the questions into strips. Give each group question 1 question. When they have answered it, one member brings the answer to the teacher (they can write it or say it orally) and then gets the next question to bring to their group. Group members must all agree on the answer before bringing to the teacher. First group to answer all the questions correctly wins.

13. Variations • Electronic: This can also be done via email. • With a reading: students can receive questions about a reading

14. Your turn • Get into groups and either use the conference brochure or access the brochure online to answer the first question. • When you have answered the first question, bring it to the presenter and get the second question • First group to answer all five questions wins!

15. Why it’s a good game • It gets students moving! • Students have to work together and negotiate the answer • Depending on how you play, students practice skimming and scanning skills • Students are naturally competitive

16. Conclusion • What other games do you use in Advanced ELL classes?