Card task
Set up Time: 15 minutes
Activity time: 15 minutes
Aims of activity
Provide students with a wider understanding of Geography by giving them the chance to use a picture and a key term and describe what that is without using specific key terms. This should get the student to start thinking laterally and out of the box instead of just using the same old descriptors to evidence understanding.
Key messages
The emphasis is for students to start thinking laterally when describing geographical topics, but also gives them the chance to reinforce their own understanding of particular themes and topics; this is particularly important because it gives students the chance to gain a stronger understanding of topics that are part of the curriculum, improving their confidence and ability to repeat information in innovative ways. Students will need to explore connections and ‘think around’ the topic in order to help classmates guess the key term they are describing.
Instructions
Students will take a card and be presented with a term, an image and list of key words they can’t use to describe the term. They then have 30 seconds to describe the term and get their partner to successfully identify the topic. If they fail to do this within 30 seconds or if they use any of the restricted terms, a third student uses a buzzer/bell to signify the turn is over. Most points at the end of all cards wins.
Materials Required
See the downloads for a series of different cards that can be cut up and used in the classroom, as well as this a timer and buzzer/bell.
You may also wish to use a 30 Second Timer - Online Stopwatch
Adaptations
This activity can be adapted to include not just topics covered within the curriculum at any stage KS3-KS5 but also to include careers, highlighting just what you can do with Geography. You can make it easier by giving them one key term to be able to use, or if they needed support lifelines like phone a friend, ask the teacher etc.