Halloween Match Mine

As I've stated before, my district requires us to use Kagan structures.  You can visit the website at the previous link for more information, but the idea centers around positive team activities where no one loses and everyone is engaged.  The idea is good and I'm still trying to wrap my brain around the overall theory.  In the meantime, we are observed every month or so doing a Kagan structure in the classroom.  Last month, I did Find Someone Who.  Here are the rules and the worksheets I modified:

The kids were really cute to watch doing these structures, but I didn't double check the answers and some were past our learning curve.  For example, I didn't expect 3rd Grade to know what Syncopation or Triplets were.  I liked how the kids asked others for the answers.  It was at the beginning of the year, so 3rd grade needed a refresher on how to use word banks.  Turns out, the whole worksheet was a bit too much for everyone at the beginning of the year.  I may bring this worksheet back in the Spring and see how they do then.  

This month, I went a lot simpler with Match Mine.  

Description: The teacher assigns students to pairs. Each partner receives an identical game board and game pieces. The game board and game pieces can be based on any vocabulary topic such as food, clothing, sports, careers, verbs, and so on. For example, to practice human body vocabulary, the game board is an illustration of a person. The game pieces are numbered arrows. The pair sets up a file folder barrier between them so they can’t see each other’s game boards. One partner (the “Sender”) arranges the numbered arrows pointing to different body parts. Then, the “Sender” describes her arrangement of arrows on the illustrated body and the “Receiver” attempts to match the “Sender”’s arrangement exactly: Arrow #1 is pointing to her left ear. When the pair thinks that they have correctly made a match, the “Sender” and “Receiver” compare their arrangements to see how well they did. If the game pieces are arranged identically, the pair celebrates their success. If the game pieces don’t match, they congratulate their efforts, then discuss how they could have communicated better to make the match.

Match Mine is terrific for developing communication skills. Students must use the target vocabulary correctly to achieve a successful match.

Below is a picture from Hillary's Highlights.  She had the kids on the floor with the traditional paperclipped folder barrier and the game right out of the Match Mine Music book.  Smart lady.

 I think sometimes I just love overloading myself with extra work.  When I decided to do my Match Mine activity, I started from scratch.  I began with a well Pinned image on Pinterest from the blog, Or For Tuna .  I used Pixlr.com to create a white space in the frame and I modified some clip art to make my grave stone beats.  Then I found clip art for my rhythms and voila!  A Match Mine Halloween Rhythm Rumble!

I printed the game board on regular paper and laminated it, and printed the rhythm cards on cardstock.  I was going to cut the game pieces out for the kids, but got as far as cutting them in strips and letting the kids finish them.  I have to say, this one turned out pretty cute.  The ghost is supposed to lay across two grave stones.  I forgot to mention that to 5th grade and there was a bit of confusion, but all in all, I would call this game a success.