We don’t typically consider mind breaks for the secondary classroom. However the reality is, they want them simply as a lot as elementary college students, particularly in the event you educate on a block schedule with a 90- or 120-minute block. We’re all searching for methods to refresh our college students’ brains, and @strategicclassroom’s TikTok gives us with one that’s quick, straightforward, and, most significantly, enjoyable.
What’s Wikiracing?
This mind break will not be solely enjoyable, nevertheless it’s additionally a stimulating strategy to get up college students’ brains. Wikiracing is a aggressive and academic recreation that leverages Wikipedia’s huge community of linked articles to create a race that’s each thrilling and informative. The sport begins with two fully unrelated matters, resembling ladies’s suffrage and apricots. College students begin on the Wikipedia web page for the primary matter and should navigate to the second utilizing solely the hyperlinked articles inside Wikipedia. The catch? They will’t use the again button or the search operate, including a layer of technique to the sport.
Right here’s how one can arrange this mind break:
- Choose matters. You’ll be able to select matters related to your present curriculum or fully random topics so as to add a component of shock (e.g., ladies’s suffrage and apricots). Encourage college students to recommend matters and draw them from a hat to spice up participation.
- Clarify the foundations. Emphasize that college students should click on solely blue hyperlinks and can’t use the again or search features.
- Monitor progress. Determine to crown the winner based mostly on pace (first to the second matter) or effectivity (fewest clicks).
To get began, all you want is a projector or smartboard to show the preliminary matter and observe progress. Wikiracing generally is a fast five-minute break or a extra prolonged exercise, relying on the way you construction the competitors. Personally, my mind breaks solely lasted max 5 minutes, however I do know some lecturers (like my husband!) make the most of Bluey seven-minute episodes as their mind breaks.
Hearken to this trainer describe how she makes use of Wikiracing:
Suggestions from lecturers
Academics in @strategicclassroom’s remark part have supplied suggestions:
- Instructional worth: Many educators respect Wikiracing for its skill to mix enjoyable with studying. They acknowledge its potential to boost common data and analysis expertise, as college students navigate by means of numerous linked matters.
- Implementation challenges: Some lecturers face obstacles like restricted Wikipedia entry of their districts, hampering their skill to make use of this instrument. Others expressed the necessity for steering on successfully implementing and monitoring the sport to make sure equity and academic relevance. After I was in center faculty, we performed “Google Whacking” and all of us beloved it!
- Pupil engagement: Academics famous excessive ranges of pupil engagement when collaborating in Wikiracing. They worth the exercise’s aggressive nature and mental stimulation, typically seen as a refreshing change from typical classroom duties.
- Options for enchancment: There may be curiosity in creating clearer guidelines and techniques to boost the tutorial outcomes of Wikiracing. Concepts embody aligning the exercise with curriculum requirements and verifying college students’ navigation paths to take care of the sport’s integrity.
Able to strive?
Prepared to provide your college students a mind break that they’ll truly stay up for? Strive Wikiracing in your subsequent class and watch their engagement for the second half of sophistication skyrocket.
