Amazing Race - Classroom Edition

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ITS GOING DOWN! 🎉 #iteachtoo #iteach345 #amazingrace #amazibgraceclassroom #gogogetitgetit

A photo posted by Amber Nicole (@sssteaching) on Nov 17, 2016 at 8:45am PST

TONS of people were asking and wanting more details about our Amazing Race coming up in our classroom!  Here are some details about what we did: 

- 7 "check points"

- review of all subjects and major content so far this year

- books wrapped as prizes

- varying amounts of 100 Grand prizes! 

🇺🇸 AMAZING RACE 🇺🇸 next week! Can't wait for our teams to compete! Prizes are books for our classroom and varying amounts of 100 grand candy bars depending on their place 🍫 check out my Insta story for more details! #iteachtoo #iteach345 #amazingrace #amazingraceclassroom #setthestagetoengage

A photo posted by Amber Nicole (@sssteaching) on Nov 11, 2016 at 2:18pm PST

The key to this being successful is organization!  I worked on this weeks in advance just little by little to make it exactly what I wanted.  My parents donated bandanas for each team (from Hobby Lobby only 99 cents or cheaper with coupons!)

These would be a super great option too : 12Pcs Bandanas (Multi Color)

I made each team a rotation schedule that they would do the stations in.  I had ONE GIANT PROBLEM!  I had 11 groups of 2 and only 7 stations.  Hmmmm.... what could the others be working on ....I get to that later!

First I went through and explained all the stations. In my teacher dreams, I'd have these located around school with poems or clues to each - in reality I didn't get a chance to book rooms and didn't want to deal with weather so we had it all in my room, marked with letters.  Boring but efficient.  They have been looking forward to it for weeks so I know this was ok.  

I also would have loved not having to go over all the directions before and have them read and figure out what to do, but short on help it was necessary so I didn't have to answer every single "What do I do?"   

so let me explain the stations to you and where they went in between.  

Station 1: Map of Missouri                                                                                               Students had to locate major cities and rivers and velcro them to the map.  I made an  answer key for easy checking.  They also took a picture for Seesaw for their team. 

Station 2: USA Map Floor Puzzle                                                                      Students had to complete a US puzzle and then list the first 5 capitals in alphabetical order.  We start this right after Christmas so this was like an intro to it.  We've been slowing working this in with our postcard exchange as well. ***Note*** 3 groups could do this one at once

 

Station 3: Rebus clue to Nonfiction book                                                                                      This picture puzzle (just like in Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library - our first read aloud) led them to our library where they had a "Road Block" they must read one of the 4 nonfiction books about creepy, crawly, undersea animals and get a 90% above on a comprehension quiz to move on.   **4 groups could do at once** they had to show me scores for initials and to move on.    (People who don't like AR hide your eyes!!!!)

Station 4: Parts of Speech Mad Lib                           I modified a Mad Lib just found from the internet ( a great one for this time of year would be from my Poultry Parts of Speech though!) I blew it up left blanks for the words.  In a baggie, I laminated some cardstock with the numbers and part of speech that they need to fill in and then add to the Mad Lib with velcro. They will take a video for Seesaw reading it when finished for completion.  Only 1 group did this at a time. You could easily use a book like Best of Mad Libs

Station 5: Math "Detour"                   Students have 2 paths they could choose to take.  Each had 5 problems they had to solve using tougher concepts they had learned so far this year.  Numbers 2 and 5 from each column matched and opened the lock box so they could do on their next clue.  Only 1 group could do at a time and I had to make sure they remixed the numbers for the next people.  It was easy to check and move on.  

Station 6: Nonfiction Article Comprehension                           I got an article from the "Missouri" section of Newsela at a 5th grade reading level to challenge us.   Students had to read and complete the 4 tough questions regarding the article before moving on.  I did have a parent volunteer check this one and tell them which ones needed to be fixed before moving on.  If they attempted 3 times that was the score they received - or you could put a time deduction because I really wanted them to focus their efforts on correct questions not just rushing.   Up to 4 teams could be doing this, checking answers could get a little rushed. 

Station 7: American Symbols                

   We touched on this at the beginning of the year and it was brief so I wanted a little review.  I made a page and pictures with clues.  The underlined "red" letters make up a word that unlocks the spelling lock indicating they got it right.  Only 1 team at a time can do this. 

Logistics:

We played Theme music in the background and I had a timer going on the board to record times after all 7 stations were complete.  They did know that extra prizes were involved for not just speed but other essential teamwork skills. 

Each team got their own colored bandanas (we took team pictures a couple weeks before) and they worked with those partners anytime we had partner work to get ready for the race!  We made a short video showing our team names and they got to pick nicknames. - I so wish I could show it because IT ROCKS!

Each team got an order to complete stations so they would not all start at station 1 and be stuck!  That was also what I initialed or they used for notes if need be.  While they were not working on a station (it was full) then they had questions to complete on our main back table.  Take a look at some of them below.  

I had a rotation schedule for all the teams but they ended up moving to which stations were open which worked out great!

• What is 1 mistake that we learned about from history that you think won't be made again, why? 
• How have you grown to meet our morning meeting challenges (Ron Clark Essential 55)
• Explain the forces and energy transfer in something you did yesterday
• describe a time this year where your learning changed
• when specifically have you challenged yourself in reading?

*Each time writes in their team color - they know that an extra award can depend on the thoroughness of their answers.*

Awards Ceremony:

 I called up team colors to receive their books to unwrap for our classroom and some 100 grand bars.  Each team got called up and received 2 books at the least and "200 grand".  Our top team opened 6 new books for our library and more "grand" than others but each team received "prizes."

We also received some special awards (just special candy - I would have done some medals, whistles, glow sticks, etc... but pregnancy got the best of me and we ended up with special candy from dollar store)

Some of the extra awards are: 

• Best Perseverance -  working hard even through a tough time
• Above and Beyond award - answered questions most thoroughly from the extra table 
• teamwork - worked together even though maybe not fastest but showed courtesy
• attitude - kept up good attitude throughout whole race and was positive with teammate and other teams.
• Team Spirit - wearing their team colors and making up a handshake or cheer to promote team spirit

We then filled out a google Form to reflect on our learning and after submitting they posted on a Padlet their favorite part from the day!

Here is the link to our reflections questions and Padlet.  We used this to help determine our "extra" award winners and reflect on our learning!

Check out these items to make this happen in your classroom: