Heads Up!

Have you ever played Heads Up! - the interactive app, developed by Ellen DeGeneres (here is Ellen announcing this game on her show)? If not, download her (available on iPhones and iPads).

Here's my plan on how to incorporate this exciting, fast-paced game in your classroom:

Preparation:

• Play Heads Up! with friends to become familiar with the app

• Gather materials (listed below)

• Prepare list of topics and definitions from your current Unit

• Put these topics into 3-5 categories. Title these categories OR keep all topics in one big category, with the current Unit as the title.

• Print out these topics before class or have students prepare subtopics in class/for homework.

• Download Heads Up! on iPhone(s) or iPad(s)

Materials:

• List of topics and definitions

• iPads and iPhones with Heads Up! downloaded

• Optional if not purchasing the "Make your own board": Notecards or scrap paper, Pens/Pencils

• Timer (suggestion: each game should last one minute)

Activity:

1. Split the class up into groups of about 4-6 students.

2. Play Heads Up! 1-2 times, within these groups, so students understand how to play - and to get the competitive juices flowing.

3. IF using the free version -- Using your predetermined categories and topics, have students write these on the notecards and separate into their respective categories. IF you purchased the "Make your own board" for $0.99 -- pull up the game you, as the teacher, made for your class.

4. Have the groups of students play each other, with 2-3 students in each team. Each round is 1 minute long.

5. Each team should advance to the next round if they win.

6. Have the top two teams go head-to-head in the last few minutes of class time. Suggestion: winning team gets a prize - Bonus on the test? A piece of candy?

Closure/Exit Ticket:

• Have students make their own Heads Up! game and play at home or the following day in class.

Have you used Heads Up! yet in your class? How? Post your comments! Share with your friends.