Pick Three: Overview: In small groups, the students must choose the three cards (from a deck of 20) that best fit the given criteria. The example in the lesson provided uses a deck of 20 different shop tool (chisel, hammer, band saw, etc, etc). Then the students choose the three cards that best fit the question: (Example, which three tools are the most dangerous?) Give the groups about 5 minutes to choose and during this time, roam from group to group and listen to their discussion. Bring all the groups together and have them share their choices.
This is a great debate game in which students are encouraged to share their personal views. And though there are no right or wrong answers with this game, you can pick up on trends within a group. For example: if many of the groups picked “bandsaw” as the most dangerous tool, maybe it reviewing safety tips on the bandsaw may be in order. Also, this game is handy in a pinch, taking as little as 5 minutes to play, or it can be expanded to any length.
Procedure: Prepare 20 cards, each with a different shop tool (chisel, hammer, band saw, etc, etc). Break the class in groups of three or fours persons, and give each group a deck of cards. Then have them choose the three cards that best fit your criteria: (Example, which three tools are the most dangerous?). Give the groups about 5 minutes to choose. During this time, roam from group to group and listen to their discussion. This is a great chance to see how the group feels about this topic. Then have the groups present their three to the group, and of course they need to explain why they made the choices they did. Then move on to the next round with a new question; (which tools are the safest, easiest to use, most useful, etc), as time allows.
Extensions: I first learned of this activity at a college preparatory program. The 20 cards each represented factors to value when choosing a college (price, instructors, proximity to home, etc). It was amazing to learn to what each kids valued and why. But more importantly, it was important for the kids to listen and learn from each other. I realized that this format could be used for any topic.
Included: (20 GREEN Shop tools card set), (20 BLUE aspects of boat building card set)
Chisel Hammer
Block Plane Smoothing Plane
Bandsaw Thickness Planer
Level Square
Ruler Pencil
Backing Iron Clamps
Spoke Shave Saw Horses
Plumb Bob Sanders
Lofting Steam Bending
Spiling Riveting
Bunging Dutchmans
Painting Varnishing
Fitting Gains
Backbone Set up Creating Molds
Frames Scarfing
Reading Plans Lining the Hull
Interior work Sanding
Creating Jigs 8 siding