Silent card shuffle

This strategy will help students to:

  • classify, understand and analyse information.

Implementation

The teacher should consider a range of 'cards' to use for this activity, i.e. visual images, statements, concepts or single words.  Each card should be cut up and placed ready for students in an envelope, or secured together in a jumbled order. Provide each individual, pair or group with their envelope or selection of cards related the given topic. 

  1. Silent Card Shuffle

    • The cards are spread out on a flat surface without talking

    • The cards are rearranged to complete the given task (e.g. sequencing, classifying, matching or mapping/positioning)

  2. Justify and Refine

    • As each group completes the task, the members may talk to each other and ask for an explanation or justification for the positioning of certain cards.

    • Refinements or changes may be made at this stage.

  3. Circle and Observe

    • The teacher now needs to coordinate the movement of the groups so that they are able to visit the other tables and discuss what they notice.

    • They may not touch the cards.

  4. Return and Refine

    • Each group returns to their home table, and based on what they observed and discussed in the visits to other tables they decide whether or not to make any refinements.

  5. Teacher Debriefing

    • This would be undertaken by the teacher according to their preferred style and to suit the group of students.