Spark Student Motivation: Toss Across Review

How to get my students motivated to review concepts? Quick rounds of Toss Across (think Tic Tac Toe using beanbags)! Linking up today with Joanne at Head Over Heels for Teaching for Spark Student Motivation Saturday!
As I was trying to think of ways to review information without droning on & on,  I happened to walk into my parents' garage. While not quite worthy of Hoarders, my mom has kept quite a few things from my sisters' & my childhood!!  I was SO excited to find our old Toss Across game!! We used to love playing with it back in the 1970's, even though it's a complete game of chance  luck.

This game is ALWAYS a BIG hit with my students and they BEG to play whenever we have a few moments!! To play is simple:
  • The class divides into 2 teams, one on either side of the Toss Across. 
  • To begin play, the teacher asks a review question & the first team to answer correctly gets to throw the first beanbag. (This does NOT necessarily that team gets the first X or O, however, since throwing the beanbag & getting it to turn over to the desired symbol is MUCH trickier than it appears!)
  • The first team to turn X or O remains that symbol for the rest of the game.
  • Teacher continues to ask each team a question until one side gets 3 in a row.

Toss Across is a great way to get students up and moving, while still thinking about the curriculum. How do you involve students in reviewing information?

Click on the button below for more fabulous ideas for motivating your students!

4 comments

  1. So fun! I used to have this game too! What a motivating way to review! Gotta get with some of my childhood friends to see if they still have theirs! Thanks for sharing and linking up!
    ~Joanne
    Head Over Heels For Teaching

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    1. Yep, my kids BEG to review!! Whatever it takes :) Thanks for hosting!!

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  2. That sounds like fun! Also *hopefully* a good way to work on sportsmanship! Thanks for sharing!
    Steph
    Simple Insights

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    1. All it takes is one, "Okay, we're done for today," and putting the Toss Across away, after a student has booed the other team or shouted something rude, then peer pressure does the rest & good behavior always follows! :)

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