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They can be scaled down to create your own dice
(die).
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They can be used in language arts classes to create
discussion points. For example, the teacher may cover
the sides with terms like characters, climax, etc., and
roll the die or ask a student to do so. The student or
class then discusses the term in relation to the story
being read.
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They can be used as writing exercises to prepare
students for standardized tests. For example, a teacher
can list the six primary sorts of standardized test
questions on the sides of the cube (or instruct the
students to do so). These might be things like:
"Compare/Contrast" and "Describe." The teacher then
gives the students a topic; used at the start of the
year, a great topic is simply the school itself. On the
"Compare/Contrast" side of the cube, the student will be
asked to compare and contrast her or his current school
with schools previously attended. Under "Describe" the
student might be asked to list three or four attributes
of the current school. The point of the exercise is to
give students an idea of what they are expected to write
when they see such terms in essay questions. A teacher
may even allow students to use the cubes as reference
during the first test(s) of the semester. |
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One version of the cube below already has the most
common essay question starters printed on it. Using this
cube, the teacher will distribute the cube sheets
(printed on card stock) and discuss with students what
each term or phrase is asking. For example, if your
state’s proficiency test expects "compare and contrast"
essays to contain two things that are the same and two
things that are different, you would ask the students to
write this in their own words on their cubes. Just like
in the example above, once the cubes are filled in and
assembled, you can let the students use them for the
first writing assignments and tests of the year. Use
them until you notice that the kids no longer need to
reference the cubes in order to understand the terms.
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It is strongly recommended that cubes be printed on
cardstock. |
