So this isn't some power-packed punch, just a simple slides to cover thresholds. Wouldn't be the same without David Christian's voice, so the 2 minute threshold vid is embedded. But there is that talking point added about sharing a personal threshold, and with teacher explanation of the term "threshold" and the definition and such, you'll get a solid twenty minutes or more out of just what's here. BUT- what I do next I think is important. I have the students take a blank index card, put their names on it and circle their names or highlight their names. At the end of my presentation, and showing them what each BHP threshold is, they stand up and find another kid in class, and if they feel ready, they recite the 8 thresholds in order without looking. Yup, memorization. Don't know how you feel about this, but in my experience there is too little of it sometimes. I like when after my kids memorize the 8, they make that connection to the next phase knowing what's coming. Studying new chemical elements means they KNOW Earth and the solar system are coming next, then life...and so on. Really helps them make the jump, and I can refer forward and backwards anytime and they get it. IF a student can recite them in order, the kid listening and checking them then signs their card. Then they take their card to the next kid, and keep going trying to get EVERYONE to sign their card including me. What's great about this simple activity is that the students who have a harder time memorizing are still getting to hear the 8 from every kid in the room. Eventually they get it done themselves. I give them about 15 minutes, which is NOT enough time to get everyone, so I can make it a fun challenge and competition. In the whole activity, I can assess what they share with each other, and I have an index card to show me how many in my class can recite the thresholds.
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Hey Bryan Dibble ! This is a lot of fun and there's nothing wrong with memorization.
I love using the Threshold Name Game in Unit 1 to get students to know each other and the thresholds. I put students into groups of 8 (you may have one or two smaller groups and in that case a couple people just double up) and they introduce themselves to the group along with their threshold. EX: "Hi, i'm Kathy, and I'm Threshold One, the Big Bang." The next person would say "I'm Bryan, and I'm Threshold Two, the Stars Light Up. This is Kathy, and she's Threshold One, the Big Bang." And so on...I think it would be fun to combine these two activities. One thing I like about this is you can do it as a review throughout the year! It's a fun way to come back after school breaks and get students focused on the narrative. Thanks so much for sharing. Great way to actively engage students!
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