Iron Chef Level 1

What is an Iron Chef? No, this has nothing to do with actual cooking. Instead, this Iron Chef is an EDU Protocol or instructional frame. The purpose of these protocols or frames is that they stay the SAME, which allows students to understand the process in order to stay focused on the content. The frames are adaptable as content and curriculum changes and can be adapted for students from K - 12.

If you need assistance with building one of these templates, please reach out to your school's Digital Coach or contact me (Caroline) and book a time for help!

FYI - Iron Chef Level 2 is for completed student exemplars

Iron Chef - What is it and how does it work?

"Iron Chef, modeled after the Iron Chef Cooking shows, is a student centered, gamified jig saw (with accountability) that is used to cover content and connect to standards. Students read, synthesize and create, and present to their peers." (source)

• This type of activity can be implemented in various ways, but you must have a group member for each SLIDE.
• Students have a finite amount of time to complete their slide - 10 to 20 minutes, depending on depth of content and what you're asking them to read, synthesize and create.
• Try to ask the types of questions that prevent students from copying and pasting the answers from the (digital) material.
• They MUST include at least ONE picture on their slide.
• They can decorate / personalize the slide once the rest of the required elements are done.

Same Slides Template Idea:

• One person in group makes a copy of the slide deck and shares with the group and teacher (may be able to do this in classroom)
• Each slide is the same (same types of open-ended questions or tasks), but the content that the whole class is reading is divided into chunks. Typical content requirement is 5 to 7 facts (sentences) to ensure they work the entire allotted time. This may vary depending on age of students.
• Each student is assigned a "chunk" to read and use to complete their ONE slide with questions, a picture, plus ONE secret ingredient that is specific to their slide only, such as a related (or unrelated) trivia question, three facts (bullets). The material can be physical reading material or links to content on each slide.
• Give a time limit (10 to 20 minutes) to ensure students stay on task.
• Once completed, each GROUP will have a finite amount of time PER SLIDE to present their information to the ENTIRE class. Although repetitive, all students are hearing the synthesized content from different students; each one may have a different perspective on the content.

Presentation :

Group Presentation / Discussion: Once completed, the group has a limited amount of time to read through the slides of other group members and discuss the content. Then, as a whole group, each slide can be discussed but the "expert" for that slide can't talk, which is on a set timer. At the end of the timed discussion, the "expert" can fill in any missed information or clarify misconceptions.

Class Presentation: Each GROUP will have a finite amount of time PER SLIDE to present their information to the ENTIRE class. Although repetitive, all students are hearing the synthesized content from different students; each one may have a different perspective on the content.

Different Slides for Each Student Idea:

• Each student has links to specific content (videos, websites) or is given a "chunk" of content to read with very specific questions to answer. For younger students or for those who need more support, this may be a better option than open-ended questions or tasks. Make sure you are specific about the amount of content you require to ensure students are on task for the entire allotted time.

Accountability

Each student is responsible for completing their OWN slide and understanding the content to present to their group members / class. When presenting to the entire class, students in other groups who have the SAME slide should pay special attention to any inaccurate content.

• Feedback Ideas:
  • Using a Google Form, have students in the other groups give a quick rating to the group presenting using only three criteria such as:
    • Technical accuracy - Are the facts and pictures good?
    • Artistic Impression - Does the slide look good to the viewer? (background and other images, font choice)
    • Overall Content - Speaking skills, addressing the audience, tone and delivery.
  • Oral feedback from ONE group of "judges" using only three criteria and judges give the group a "score" and briefly tell WHY. Rotate groups that get to be judges, but not every group may get to judge in one day.
  • The "points" given by other students shouldn't be for a grade.

Topics That Can be "Iron Chef-ed"

• Presidents
• Key math terms / shapes (don't use it to teach math, but here is an upper grade math example with pics)
• Literary devices
• Science terms / concepts
• Portions of periodic table
• Most common grammar / spelling errors

More Ideas (source)

• Self presentations (Name, 3 facts, a photo of self, secret ingredient: something they find funny)
• Farm animals (Name of animal, 3-4 facts, photo of the animal, animal habitat, secret ingredient: animal sound)
• Math properties (Name of the property, 3 facts, example, secret ingredient: application in everyday life)
• Countries (Name of country, 3-4 facts [ex. population, language spoken, religion, continent], picture of the people, secret ingredient: popular dish

Note: This is not a good tool for large, complicated ideas, such as the Civil War. Break down large concepts into smaller, well-defined portions.

Younger Learners (K - 1)

• Use ONE deck for the entire class and complete as a class until students are ready to complete a whole class slide deck, with each student getting their own slide. Content they are required to collect can be different.
• K - Give each student a slide where they have to find pictures only and write one sentence. Pictures can be provided (off canvas) and they drag and drop them before labeling. Ask them a question about the content that is specific to them.
  • If studying roots, leaves, stems, fruits, flowers and seeds, ask the student which is their favorite ______ and why?
  • If reading a common book (or embedded video of a book), each student can be responsible finding 5 words:
    • -R blend words
    • EA words
    • Secret ingredient question can focus on content of book. "Who is your favorite creature and why?"