Here’s a go-to activity for substitute teachers to use when you have no lesson plan. It’s a fun way for kids to work collaboratively to review information – virtually and in person!

<div>
  Substitute teachers face many challenges on any given day, but not having a
  lesson plan can pose the biggest one. Whether you are teaching virtually or in
  person, we wanted to share an idea that you can use repeatedly &ndash; each
  time you find yourself without a lesson plan.
</div>

<div>
  Tip: For every new group of students, begin your time together with an
  icebreaker. This builds rapport and can set a positive tone.
</div>

<div>
  This lesson idea is best suited for block periods, virtual or in-person
  classrooms.
</div>

<div><strong>Grade-level: </strong>3-12</div>

<div>
  <strong>Objective: </strong>Students work collaboratively to review content
</div>

<div>
  <strong>Standards: </strong
  ><a href="http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/CCRA/SL/1/"
    >CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.1</a
  >
  (Common Core Anchor Standard: appropriate for all subject areas)
</div>

<div>
  <strong>Materials:</strong> textbook or assigned articles, paper and pencils
  (if in person)
</div>

<ol>
  <li>
    Divide the class in half by numbering the students off (1,2,1,2, etc.)
  </li>
  <li>Have each team come up with a team name.</li>
  <li>
    Give each team 20 minutes to come up with at least 10 questions to ask the
    opposing team by reviewing the textbook or assigned article.
    <ol>
      <li>
        Questions can be multiple-choice, fill-in, or open-ended. Each team must
        also include the answer to the question.
      </li>
    </ol>
  </li>
  <li>
    After 20 minutes, explain the activity:
    <ol>
      <li>
        Each team takes turns asking one question at a time. The other team has
        up to 1 minute to agree upon an answer.
      </li>
      <li>
        The teacher makes the final decision on whether a point is awarded for
        the answers.
      </li>
    </ol>
  </li>
  <li>
    Reflection: If there is time, you can have the students write a paragraph
    about what they liked about the game and whether they felt the activity was
    useful in reviewing information.
  </li>
</ol>

<div><strong>Modifications for Virtual Instruction:</strong></div>

<ul>
  <li>
    Split the students into break out rooms for each time they need to
    collaborate (to create a team name, to review text and create questions, to
    answer questions, etc.)
  </li>
  <li>
    For access to online articles, use
    <a href="https://www.commonlit.org/en/library">commonlit.org/en/library</a>
    and select the specific subject for that class.
    <ul>
      <li>
        It may be helpful to choose an article designed for a lower grade level
        since it should be information they have already learned
      </li>
    </ul>
  </li>
</ul>

<div>
  Thanks for reading! We hope you find this lesson useful when you&rsquo;re in a
  pinch!
</div>

<div>
  Discover your next short- or long-term
  <a
    href="https://www.crosscountryeducation.com/job-search-results?what=substitute&amp;where="
    >substitute teaching job</a
  >
  with Cross Country Education today.<br />
</div>


No Lesson Plan? We’ve Got You Covered.