What is Back and Forth? A partnered learning game where students process curriculum creating a story with alternating words/sentences. It can be used in pairs or small groups.

Why does it engage students? The playful approach reduces fear of learning, while the partnership increases cognitive intensity and attachment to the material being learned.

How does it improve learning? Students create neural connections through mediated understanding, using oral language to bring cognitive intensity to curriculum tasks  The activity reduces knowledge gaps in participants while increasing the commitment and effort involved in the learning.

When can it be used in class? To assess prior knowledge of curriculum topic, process written material that has been read individually and to evaluate level of curricular understanding.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

Teacher Demonstrated

1. Choose a student to demonstrate and choose topic that he/she will know well.
2. Create a sentence in which each of you speaks one word at a time alternately.
3. Show this to the class.

Student Practiced

1. Have students pair up and try it with their partners to replicate a sentence you have created,
2. Ask them try a few definitions, vocabulary words, etc. from the curriculum.
3. Once they have the hang of it, ask them to create sentences on their own. (They can write these first!)

VIDEO EXAMPLES

Gr K-3 students…