Cootie Catchers

Do you want to guarantee 100% participation? This is the best activity to reinforce specific skills and it's definitely engaging! My students love making Cootie Catchers or Fortune Tellers. Every once in a while I have to tell them to keep it appropriate.Nevertheless, if they already love making them, why not modify it to make it educational. I found a link where you can buy them pre-made. They focus on math skills, however it includes a blank template! http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Cootie-Catcher-Factors-and-Multiples. I purchased the entire set for $3.00, but the seller is currently having a sale for $2.55

Here is what the seller has to say:

Your students already love them, why not use cootie catchers for a fun math review or center activity. This file includes twelve different cootie catchers for reviewing factors and multiples (2 of each for: prime and composite numbers, factors, greatest common factors, prime factorization, multiples, and least common multiple). The file also contains a blank template for making your own cootie catcher (a perfect activity for test review questions). As a BONUS I have included a Factors and Multiples worksheet or quiz to use as an assessment (answers included).

Here is how I used it:

• Vocabulary: used definition and their partner had to identify the vocabulary word.
• Math: I use it to review on Thursdays before their Friday quiz.
• Language: I randomly place questions to reinforce reading objectives such as plot, author's purpose, figurative language, poetry, affixes etc.
• I plan on using it for science by placing academic vocabulary where students will have to make a connection to an investigation they completed.

Here's how it looks:

• Students face each other in rows.
• One row will have the questions/Cootie Catchers 
• The other row will have a white board to show their work (math) and write their answer.
• I have the timer set up for 45 seconds-60 seconds. This depends on the content.
• I play music in the background to make it a little more exciting.
• Every time the timer goes off, students w/ white boards move seats.
• Basically, it's like speed dating. I tell my students they are too young to date so we call it "speed math" or "Speed Reading" depending on the content.
• After about 4 or 5 rotations, I have them switch roles.