FLYING PAPER AIRPLANES

via The Huffington Post

Did I have you at paper airplane?   

This is hands down one of my favorite strategies.  In just a few simple steps it can become a new favorite for you and your students.

ONE
Ask students to think of an answer to a question.  For example, if I say Abraham Lincoln is the answer, what is the question?   Who was shot by John Wilkes Booth?  Who was the 16th president of the United States?  There are many answers for that one question.  Have students write their answer in the middle of the paper.

TWO

Ask students to fold their paper into a paper airplane.  Or, if you get disgruntled faces because they aren't the engineering type, a "snowball" also works.

THREE

Taking a pen or pencil with them, they take their airplane/snowball into a hallway or open space and form a circle.

FOUR

At your call, (after reviewing rules such as not aiming for eyes) students launch their snowballs/paper airplanes into the middle of the circle.   Each student retrieves one, writing a question for the answer and folding it back up.  Students wait until everyone is finished and the process can be repeated as many times as you wish.  

FIVE

Return to the classroom and have students share some of the responses.  Be sure and collect them as they can give provide you valuable data.

Try this one on for size, and I would love to hear your feedback.   Teachers have reported back that they have used this for an introduction to a unit or a review prior to a test/quiz.  Let me know how you put it to use!