Connect students directly to the concept in a personal way. Capture students' attention by initiating a group problem-solving activity before delivery of instruction. Begin with a situation that is familiar to students and builds on what they already know. Construct a learning experience that allows diverse and personal student responses. Facilitate the work of cooperative teams of students.

Classroom Olympics

Objective: The student will experience a situation in which practice makes a difference.

Activity: Classroom Olympics. Working in three groups, students participate in a three part competition against two other groups. The three events are: 1) throwing paper wads into a trash can 12 feet away (3 tosses each). 2) dropping 10 pennies in a coffee cup over the shoulder (best of 2 tries each). 3) flipping and calling the toss of a coin (total of 5 tries). Do not explain the competition to the students. Instead, tell them that they will be doing three different things during this class session. They are to read and follow the directions to any other. Hand out the following directions and work on student compliance. Group 1: You are to visit the library to select an independent reading book. You must be back in class in 15 minutes. Allow these group members to leave. Group 2: You are to write in your journals for seven minutes. At the end of this time, you will receive new directions. Group 3: You are to meet me in the hall as soon as you finish reading these directions. Get group 2 started and meet group 3 in the hall. Once there, quickly brief them on the activity and get them started practicing for the three events. Rotate them quickly through the activities. After seven minutes, meet group 2 in the classroom. Explain to them the three part competition which will take place shortly and allow them to practice for the three events for about five minutes. When the first group returns to class, direct everyone to be seated. Introduce the three part competition and explain that the three groups will compromise the competing teams. Hold the competition. Average the scores of the teams in each of the events. Rank order the teams according to the results.

Assessment: Student understanding of the experience is indicated by statements made during the following discussion.