Introductory activity B
Aim
The pupils are given a second opportunity to practise working effectively together in groups. The activity shows them that there is not always a single ‘correct’ answer to a problem and that there may instead be many possible solutions.
Materials
Supplied
- A photocopy master, which shows a terrace of 20 houses, is supplied on both sides of an A3 sheet separate to this manual.
- Resource Sheet 2, which lists the instructions for the painter (see Resource Section).
- Coloured rectangles, to be used by the pupils as doors for the houses. The colours used are: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, brown, black and purple. There are 5 of each colour in a set. Each set of coloured rectangles has been collated for easy storage; one set is needed for each group.
Before you start
Take copies of the photocopy master: each group needs one copy of each side. Take photocopies of Resource Sheet 2: one copy per group. Cut up each photocopy of Resource Sheet 2 to make separate instruction slips. Put each set into an envelope and make sure that you have one envelope ready to give to each group, along with one set of coloured cards.
Activity
Concrete preparation
• Explain to the class that you are going to work through another group activity.
• Divide the class into groups of four, taking account of last week’s experience.
• Once the pupils are sitting in their groups, ask them what they remember from the last time about what helps a group to work. Encourage them to give reasons for how and why these behaviours help the group.
• As before, while the pupils are working in the groups, listen and evaluate whether this will make a good working combination of pupils. It is hoped that after this second experience you will be able to choose the final groups of four, which will then stay in that combination for the rest of the year during Let’s Think through Science! lessons.
Cognitive conflict and social construction
- Give each group one photocopy of the photocopy master, showing a terrace of 20 houses, where the doors are numbered 1 to 20.
- Tell the pupils: The people who live in this street want their doors painted. They write down instructions for the painter as to what colours have to be used. The painter has to work out which colour to paint each door. He wants to do a good job so that he will be paid when it is finished.
- I’m going to give each group an envelope with the instructions in. One person in the group deals out the instructions so that each person in the group has some of them. Together, you have to work out the colour for each door. Then you use the coloured cards to show the colour of each door as you have agreed.