Welcome back %contact.first_name%! You should receive a new warm up lesson each week. Also, look out for invitations to live sessions to talk about gamification, warm-ups, and to ask questions.

CLICK HERE for a video of the below information

🎲 Yesterday, you maybe played with some dice! Dice are an easy way to add gamification elements to your classroom.

While I shared a few DIGITAL options (since that is what this workshop is) I actually HIGHLY recommend you use REAL DICE when possible. The sound of dice rolling is very engaging. I always had a bucket of over 100 dice to use in my classroom. Ask your admin to buy you some!

What is the Purpose of a Warm-Up

Hmmm, the answer to this question might not be the same for everyone.

• An activity that students do immediately upon entering class to help them to start engaging and not poking their neighbor.
• A reminder/quiz of what they previously learned to activate prior knowledge.
• A hook to engage curiosity.
• An exploration activity to get students thinking
• and...

Whatever the purpose, making it a game can help students to want to run to class!

Warm-Up Idea #1

Roll for the Question

Make a Copy of the Google Slides Template

Make a Copy of the Google Slides Template

How This Works

You have 6 prompts or questions. You (or the students) roll a die to see which question they will respond to!

How Constraints Drive Engagement

• Focus and Challenge: Constraints provide boundaries within which students have to work. This focused problem-solving environment creates a motivating level of challenge – it's not so easy it's boring, but not so difficult it becomes overwhelming.
• Promote Creative Problem-Solving: Constraints force students to think outside the box. They have to work with what they've been given, leading to more unexpected and innovative solutions.
• A Sense of Accomplishment: Overcoming the challenge of a constrained task brings a greater sense of accomplishment. Students feel proud for finding unique solutions within the limitations.
• Lower Barriers to Entry: Constraints can be equalizers. Even students who may struggle with open-ended tasks can often succeed with a more structured prompt, boosting their confidence and engagement.

Constraints in Games

Games are all about constraints! Consider these elements:

• Rules: The very structure of any game is a set of constraints. Players must operate within the rules to succeed.
• Limited Resources: Many games provide limited resources (time, in-game currency, power-ups) forcing players to strategize.
• Time Pressure: The ticking clock is a powerful constraint, driving decision-making and ramping up excitement.
• Environmental Limitations: Games often have levels with platforms, obstacles, and mazes that players must skillfully navigate.

The Takeaway

Constraints seem counterintuitive to creativity, but they often spark it! By providing structure and a focused challenge, constraints engage students and lead to surprisingly innovative outcomes in the classroom.

🎲 Tutorial To Create Your Own Template

Step 1: Create a Google Slides

Obviously you can do this technique with almost any tool, however for this tutorial we will focus on Google Slides. Go to slides.new.

Step 2: Select the Theme Builder

In the Google Slides click on the VIEW menu and select "Theme builder."

Step 3: Add a New Layout

You can modify an existing layout or click on the plus icon in the toolbar to add a new layout.

Layouts are generic templates that are reuseable when you are building your Google Slides. Design your generic slide template.

Step 4: Insert a Table

While in the theme builder, use the INSERT menu and select "Table." Create a 2 by 6 table.

Step 5: Adjust the Table

You want the first column to be skinny to allow for the picture of the dice.

You might also want to increase the thickness of the table border. Use the line weight icon in the toolbar. You can make the table invisible by making a line weight of 0.

I put my table in the lower left of the slide. If you use Dice Slides Add-on the dice appear in the upper right, so I wanted to leave room.

This layout again is a template, so make it generic so you can create multiple "Roll for the question" slides.

Step 6: Add Dice Image

On the layout template, add dice images. Go to the INSERT MENU and choose "Image" and "Search the web"

To be honest... this is not THAT great, you'll have to put some effort into finding the images.

So I used my FREE Canva for Education account to create some dice images.

RIGHT CLICK on these images to save to your computer.

Add these images into the first column of your table by dragging onto the layout template. They will be "floating" and not actually in the table.

Step 7: Add Placeholders for Text

This is really important!! You want to use placeholder text boxes for where you will write the 6 options. You are making a generic template. You will need placeholders to hold the place of where you will eventually write the 6 options.

I recommend using the "Subtitle placeholder" but it does not matter which one you use.

Tip: Create one placeholder to fit the size of the question cell in the table. Adjust the font, size, and color to your liking. Use Control D to duplicate the placeholder 5 times to have 6 identically formatted text boxes.

Step 8: Add a Slide with the Template

Exit the theme builder. There is a small x in the upper right of the layout builder or just click on the left side of the screen where the thumbnails are.

In the toolbar is a plus icon to add a slide. Notice the arrow NEXT TO the plus icon to allow you to choose a layout.

You should now have a layout available with your "Roll for the question" template. Add this to your slides.

Step 9: Fill in the 6 Options

Add your six options. You may want to have multiple slides with different options that are used during the warm up. For example the first slide is to roll for the style of writing. The second slide is to roll for a required characters name. The third slide could be a required setting to include. Etc...

Decide on your dice method and "Roll for the question!!

"Roll for the Question"

It's easy! I hope this gets you started with an easy warm up idea you can use in your class.

1. Create Themed Tables: Design tables of 6 questions, prompts, or story constraints. You can have tables for history, character development, persuasive writing, whatever you like!
2. Let Them Roll: Students roll a die (or use a digital randomizer) to determine which element from the table they'll incorporate into their warm-up.
3. Get Writing! Students use the element they rolled to inspire a quick 5-10 minute writing exercise.

Why is it Fun?

• Element of Surprise: Students love the anticipation of not knowing what their prompt will be!
• Encourages Creativity: "Roll for the Question" pushes students out of their comfort zones and challenges them to think on their feet.
• Low-Pressure, High Reward: It's a quick warm-up, so even surprising prompts can lead to surprising results and a boost of confidence.

Elementary School

• Silly Story Starters: ("Your story must include a talking dog, a treehouse, and a lost button.")
• Character Mashup: (Roll once for a character trait, once for an animal, and create a new creature!")

Middle School

• Historical Headlines: (Roll for a historical figure and a modern invention. Write a news article.)
• Vocabulary Challenge: (Roll for a vocabulary word and a random genre – use the word to write a short scene.)

High School

• Argument Angles: (Roll for a controversial topic and a specific type of argumentative style)
• Poetry Prompts: (Roll for an emotion, an object, and a setting)

Ready to Roll?

"Roll for the Question" is a fantastic way to gamify learning, promote creative thinking, and add some excitement to your classroom routines. Let the good times roll!

What help do you need with creating your dice roll warm-up?

Respond Here

Want to Share Your Game?

Optional, but if you want to share what you created with everyone please fill out the Google Form!

Share Your Game  Spreadsheet of Shared Resources

SEE YOU Next Week!!

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