Beyond the Garden GATE: So Much Learning....SOOO Much Fun!!!!

Having students build their own Continent Twister games was one of my favorite activities from last year - and believe it or not, it was even better this year! Students eagerly search in their social studies books for maps and information required to create their game boards. It is so amazing listening to their discussions, as they debate placement of a continent using terms like Eastern Hemisphere and Prime Meridian! It is easy to tell that meaningful learning is taking place - yet the enthusiasm level is at an all time high!

I found that deadlines were a necessity, because the students easily got bogged down in some of the details. But with a little guidance, their game boards came along nicely and then they had to create their rules and their methods for playing the games. This requires real life problem solving! There were some frustrations, but the students worked them out and came up with wonderfully unique solutions to their problems!

On Thursday, each group presented their game to the class - explaining their maps, their way of playing, and their rules....and then.....WE PLAYED THEM!!!

Look at those happy faces!!!

If you want to try this with your class, check out my Teachers Pay Teachers store. I put it all together for you at a really inexpensive price! Enjoy!!!!