Transcript Creature Karate - James E. Gentry, Ed.D.

Creature Karate
A Battle of Wits and
Geographic Fits
Teks Covered (3rd Grade)
Music 117 3rd Grade,2,a -- singing music
Science 112.5 3rd Grade 8, b&c --- collecting and
analyzing info to construct explanations
S.S. 113.5 3rd Grade 16, a,b,c -- obtain info from
a variety of sources, categorizing, contrasting
and comparing this material
L.A. 110.5 3rd Grade 12, c,d -- look up
information using various references and
technologies
Creature Karate
Fun activity for learning how to
research
Small group interaction heightens
learning
The karate theme keeps research
interesting because it “has a purpose”
Easy lesson to scaffold; groups will
want to know ways to get more info!
Creature Karate
“Creature Karate, a jaguar really can duel
a blue jay?!”
“Creature Karate, places where elephants
really can’t stray!”
“Creature Karate, earn those points all of
you go-getters!”
“Creature Karate, working in groups
makes learning better!”
How To Play
Class divides into groups of three
Teacher explains how the karate is
scored and models how effective resource
gathering can be done
Teacher selects two animals and an
ecosystem for each group
Teacher then circles classroom
scaffolding during group interaction
The Game Itself
Animals are called “contenders”.
The ecosystems are “arenas”.
Students get points for each bit of info they
gather.
Gathered material is categorized as either
a)defense, b)diet, or c)findings (misc.)
Specialized skills gain 2 points
The eco information is based on its
inhabitants and survivability.
Scoring For Contenders
1 point for each factoid
2 points for getting more data than your
group members (this can be optional).
4 points awarded if your animal is an
Olympian (fastest, biggest, slowest, etc.)
2 points deducted if your arena
(ecosystem) would eradicate your species
Scoring for Arenas
2 points each if either or both contenders
can live in your ecosystem
1 point for every plant and animal you can
find that live in your arena
25 points if your arena has 10 or less
animal inhabitant species
50 points if your arena has 5 or less
inhabitant species
While Playing….
Debate in groups should be allowed
This is meaningful learning occurring
Once finished, learners should draw their
contender based on what they’ve learned about
it
When the group is finished, the group should
add up all of its points as a cumulative total.
Don’t let groups know it is a cumulative total
until they are tallying. (This is optional.)
In Closing
Groups should construct sentences on their
sheet based on the results of their karate
match. Why did the winner ultimately win?
(There is no one answer.)
(Optional Ending)Groups come to the front
and do a readers theatre where they monologue
their traits and after all have gone describe the
karate match.