Procedure Guide: CUBING

Purpose: To promote student familiarity with the characteristics of a particular concept from various perspectives, to reinforce their understanding of the concept.

Preparation

• Construct a cube. (A tissue box covered with construction paper works well.)
• Write one of the following instructions on each side.

Describe it

Compare it

Associate it

Analyze it

Apply it

Argue for or against it

• Write and number the vocabulary words on the chalkboard.

· Write each of the numbers on a piece of paper, fold the papers, and place them in a "hat."

Before or After

• Explain the purpose of this activity.
• Model the use of the cube for the entire class.
• When students understand cubing procedures, divide the class into two or more teams.
• Have the first member of the first team draw, out a number to represent which word the student is going to "cube."
• Have the same team member roll the cube and follow the instruction as it applies to the word drawn.
• If the student is able to respond correctly, the team gets 10 points.
• If the student is unable to respond correctly, he or she may ask for help from other team members. Five points are awarded if they are able to follow the instructions correctly.
• If the team is unable to follow the instruction correctly, the next team gets an opportunity. Play continues until all the teams have had a chance or a team has correctly followed the instruction and received 5 points.
• The game continues until all the words have been used or time runs out.

Assessment

Ability of students to follow the instructions accurately. Points earned by each team.

Variation

Cubing can also be used as a prewriting activity when examining themes.