Speech and Debate Curriculum Part 2.pdf

Block Head
An activity intended to build good listening skills and following directions.
Subject Matter Application:
This can be used within any subject matter across the curriculum—especially in math
classes.
Materials:
• Two identical sets of geometric children’s blocks
Or
• Two identical sets of cardboard geometric shapes
Procedure:
• Choose two students to sit back to back in the front of the room
• Divide the blocks/shapes equally between the two students
• Allow the students to decide who will give the directions and who will receive the
directions .
• The teacher then builds a structure on the direction-giver’s desk
• Then proceed with one of the following options:
• One student directs the receiver on how to build the structure without any
interaction.
OR
• Allow the student receiving the directions to question the giver as they
progress (or as you watch their frustration level rise) .
TIPS FOR THE INSTRUCTOR
• Set time limits for the initial demonstration
• Instruct the rest of the class that’s observing the exercise NOT to respond verbally or
non-verbally (“sigh!”) to the successes or failures of the participants
• Allow additional students to rotate into the block-building desk. Be sure to build a
new structure for each pair of students.
• You’ll discover that the students who go near the end of the day are better at
following directions because they’ve learned the cues that work from observing the
failed attempts of their predecessors.
Evaluation:
Students write a metacognitive reflection responding to the following questions:(see
next page)
Carter-CMS 2009 75