One Eggs-traordinary Lesson

Hatched by Lori

For the last several days, I've been trying to do at least one multiple choice question every day. After looking at lots of test questions and student data, I decided that most of the questions would focus on summary skills or determining author's purpose because I really wanted to encourage kids to think through their different options.

We've used Bam Boards. We've used post-its torn into quarters. We've used Socrative. And more than once, we've used all four walls in my classroom. That last one is honestly my favorite because I can get a pretty accurate read of where my entire class stands [quite literally]. But as I was planning for another lesson, I just couldn't stand to do the same ol' routine. So I raided my hall closet and used Ava's Easter eggs [don't worry...my kids will still have Easter eggs this year.]

Using an article we'd just finished, I made 7 sets of 4 eggs with different summary statements in each egg. And because it's just so fun, I had to make some prize eggs. We're also at that point in the game where sometimes I just need to be entertained, so take a look at my lesson frame today:

• We will evaluate the effectiveness of different summaries.
• I will determine which eggs are rotten and explain why they stink.

There are lots of different ways that you could run this. I had my kids choose an egg and silently read their summary. If they thought they had a "rotten egg," I asked them to stand and explain to the group why. Of course I gave them some guiding questions.

• What information in the summary is correct?
• What information in the summary is twisted or omitted?

While the kids did struggle to evaluate the individual summaries, most groups successfully identified the correct summary. I'll take it!

The eggs helped to give a novel spin on a necessary skill. Let us know what other spring-time novelties are your favorite!