A few engaging review activities for ELA come in handy around this time of year, as the calendar takes over and students pop off to random awards ceremonies, spirit events, and slideshows. Sometimes you see them for one day in a row, sometimes two, but getting in a groove is definitely a challenge!

So, in case you're in search of creative review activities that will get students looking back over all that they've learned before a final project or exam, or just before heading off into the summer horizon, here are six. I'm going to base them on a fun review choice board I made for The Lighthouse seasonal section. So, Lighthouse members, be sure to snag it if you like the sound of all this! And if you're not in The Lighthouse yet, it will be opening up in June for new folks, so be sure you're on my email list so you don't miss the invitation.

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When it comes to evidence in their argument papers, students have a tendency to mic drop way too soon. "Here's my evidence, BOOOOOOOM!" you can almost hear them saying. Because right after the evidence, they move on.

Oops.

That's not what we want, and I bet you've written "be sure to analyze this evidence and explain how it proves your point" a few (hundred) times.

So what do we do? How do we make the idea MEMORABLE that students must analyze their evidence before moving on?

There are a lot of helpful tricks and acronyms floating around out there - the quotation burger, "R.A.C.E." and "P.E.E." for example. And I think those are helpful bases from which to build. But this week on the pod, I want to try a humorous, real-world twist that can complement any of these. Something I hope will be memorable for your students. Something you can reference with a laugh and keep students interested.

Meet Mr. Skeptical.

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Sure, there's no one right way to write an argument paper. It can be three paragraphs, nine, or even seventeen. It can be loaded with research. It can be full of voice and personal anecdotes. It can be intensely academic, with a formal objective perspective and thirty-two sources cited with MLA.

We want our students to understand the rich palette of tools available to them, and mentor texts, varied writing assignments, and encouragement to try new things are all so important.

But so is a place to start.

Just as I think the 5 paragraph essay isn't dead, because we need it sometimes for skill foundations, I think a clear and simple formula for introductions can be really helpful for students who are struggling to write and organize a coherent argument.

Honestly, it's the base I used for my English papers through my B.A. AND M.A. in English literature, and the one I made sure all my students knew how to use when they needed it. It's the foundation for more complex options. So today, I'm going to talk you through it.

Go Further:

Explore alllll the Episodes of The Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast.

Get my popular free hexagonal thinking digital toolkit

Join our community, Creative High School English, on Facebook.

Come hang out on Instagram.

Enjoying the podcast? Please consider sharing it with a friend, snagging a screenshot to share on the ‘gram, or tapping those ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ to help others discover the show. Thank you!