"Tell Me About Your Number!" Adding a Little Somethin',Somethin' with QR Codes!

I try to switch up what we do for Morning Meeting activities.

And once it warms up, I try to make whatever we do take place outdoors.
So I came up with this little activity,"Tell Me About Your Number!"
You need devices, but you do not need Wifi, just download a QR code reader. I use Inigma.

First, I created QR code sheets using the QR Code Treasure Hunt Generator. When I created them, I only put the number and an asterik because all I wanted the kids to see was a number when they scanned it. Once you create your "quiz", it is very easy to print the QR codes, they are made for you.

I have a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) classroom and a couple of Ipads, so the kids were split up into groups of 2 or 3. Each group was given a worksheet to write their answers, and a QR code sheet. The students had 2 jobs. They had to go around and scan the other groups QR code and a number would appear.

Next, when the number appeared, they had to write the number AND an equation for that number. It could be addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division or a combination of operations. The team with the most equations completed won. They were timed, had to vary the operations, and of course, their equations had to be correct.

I loved watching my students work. They really enjoyed this. They were engaged the entire time and came up with a number of ways to represent each number. My students love competition, but you could always take that out of the equation.:)

The kids had fun, solved problems, were engaged, and collaborated.! Adding QR codes to this activity was a way to take something simple and pump it up!

"Everybody's It!" - Building Relationships With Play!

I can't join in because of my knees, but I watch.
I stand on the sidewalk, outside our back door, and watch them engage in our Morning Meeting activity, "Everybody's It."
When the weather warms up, we head outside for our Morning Meeting activity every day that we can.
I am fortunate, I open our back door, and they hit the blacktop.

I do not remember where I found "Everybody's It". I didn't make it up, but I love this game and what it does for my kids.
It's exactly what it says, everybody's it. Anyone can tag you, and you're frozen. But, anyone can "unfreeze" you.

I set my timer and let them loose, and I watch.
They have evolved since the beginning of the year.
Everyone used to be out for themselves.

Now, they find a way to double back and unfreeze another student.
They call out the names of students that are frozen, knowing that they can't get to them, but hoping someone else will.
They unfreeze, not only their friends, but any of their peers who are frozen.
They run like crazy, no one thinking they are too cool to play.
They have fun, and don't take themselves so seriously.

I think one day before school ends, I'm going to put on my sneakers, and join in. With my knees I'll be easy to catch, but with the relationships I've built with them. I know I won't be frozen long!:)