Activity
“If” conversations: Slide presentation and writing activity
Jump start student discussions with this collaboration project!
Want students to work together? These “if” conversation starters are a fun way to jump start conversations before transitioning to a writing activity. Pair students (2 or 3 in a group) and share a slide presentation (one “If” question per slide) and assign a slide number to each one group. Encourage the students to discuss the question (set a time limit) then create a slide with their short answer. Students can be creative and add colors, designs, etc. to their slide.
This activity can also be done as a short answer written assignment by an individual student.
If Questions
Depending on the grade, the If questions can be simple or more complex. Ideally, ask questions that may have social implications. The examples below cover a range of simple issues and more complex issues. Try to include questions that relate to things recently studied in class. These questions can be tailored to specific events in history, current news,or events studied in social studies courses.
What would you do if . . .
- you had one day left to live?
- you saw someone shoplifting?
- you found $20 on the street?
- you could invent any thing, what would you invent and why?
- you could speak another language, how would use that gift?
- you were president and could change one thing that would make your country (or community) better?
- you could change one thing in history, what would it be and why?
- you had a million dollars to be used to help others, how would you use it?
The writing goals can vary! If creating a slide presentation, the writing will be bullet points or a simple sentence for younger students. If writing a short answer (paragraph style), create a shared Google Doc. Students can add their short answer into the Google Doc.
Keep in mind the true goals of the activity – there can be multiple goals. Team work and collaboration, social implications of the questions, expanding on history/social studies events, writing skills, and of course, tech skills!
Resources
- Teaching styles: Creativity, written expressions, and collaboration post
- End-of-year activities: Slide shows and memory books
by Diane Brauner
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