Activities for multi-age groups - especially useful when integrating subjects

• build models of homes and communities studied using duplo, lego, play dough, plasticine, or other constructions materials (can assign younger children to build these while you read out loud). Take turns and have each tell about and explain the part they have built
• build a map or model the story using lego, duplo, playmobile...
• alphabetize vocabulary words; set criteria according to age/skill level (by 1st letter, 2nd letter, 3rd letter....)
• act out parts of history, characters, events... and see who can guess what is being demonstrated
• play “pictionary” with elements from the content (one student draws the representation, while the others guess)
• scramble the letters from a “vocabulary word” (a word significant to the current topic of study); students attempt to unscramble it. Examples: nsu = sun onom = moon ratss = stars iunadsro = dinosaur (rather than writing the scrambled word, tiles from a scrabble game, alphabet cards, or letter blocks may be used
• Create active criteria for answering questions... Example: I will read a question… when you know the answer… stand up Or, when you know the answer put your hand on your head. Or, when you know the answer, put your hand over your mouth. Or, whatever activity will include the most children. Then call on one of them to answer. The rest must be good listeners until they get a turn. The one who answers can set the criteria for the next question... This works well when reviewing vocabulary, answering Professor Noggins questions, narrating after listening.... When doing Professor Noggins questions you may wish to practice a few cards repeatedly over several days until they learn the answers well,get new cards all at once, or change one card each day. Focus on listening and obeying skills as well as content.
• Sit in a circle. Toss or roll a ball from person to person according to receiving skill. Person whe receives the ball tosses or rolls it to another and asks a review question. They must ask a question appropriate to the age-level of the one receiving the ball. (Teaches audience awareness)