Showdown

How to Use the Cooperative Learning Strategy Showdown

• 1. Students are placed in groups of four.

  2. Each group of students is given a set of task cards placed face down in the center of their workspace (Interactive Whiteboard okay too).

  3. A student is chosen to pick the first card and read it aloud to the group they are the team captain for this round.

     • The teacher chooses which student goes first. I will usually choose this student based on their seat at the table, whoever is tallest/shortest, or whoever’s birthday is closest. It does not matter who starts because the role of team captain rotates to all students.

  4. Students each find the answer to the question independently in their own workspace. During this time they will not share their thoughts or answers.

  5. When everyone is finished working the problem they show the team captain they are done.

• • You could have have students turn over their whiteboards to signal they are done. This nonverbal signal is clear, but doesn’t cause a lot of commotion. Another one is show of thumbs.

1. The team captain calls, “Showdown.”

2. Students show and share their answers with one another.

3. If all teammates agree on the answer they erase their boards, celebrate and move on. If even one of the team members disagrees then they must discuss their answers and come to a consensus on the right answer.

4. The process is repeated with the role of team captain rotating in a clockwise fashion.