Tic-Tac-Tally

Purpose

Students think deeply, talk to peers, and write connections between words, visuals, and assessment items.

Materials

• Tic-Tac-Tally handout (3 words, 3 visuals, and 3 assessment items) – 1 per group
• Tic-Tac-Tally game board (projected)
• Tic-Tac-Tally template (English/Spanish)
• Notebook or chart paper
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Organize students into groups of 3.
2. Provide each group with a handout.
3. Students cut apart the 9 cards and distribute them among the group members.
4. Project the Tic-Tac-Tally game board.
5. One student from each group draws the game board on notebook or chart paper for the group.
6. Students take turns playing a card on the game board.
7. When 3 connections are made (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally), students shout “Tic-Tac-Tally” and write the connection among the 3 ideas on the game board.
8. Observe students’ thinking and clarify/verify their connections.

Classroom Management

• Model the strategy through a “fishbowl” activity where a group of students role-play the strategy while other students observe.

Differentiation

• Promote access by providing pre-cut cards and partnering with 2 supportive peers to preview the activity.
• Promote access by allowing the use of notes/journals.
• Provide response support by allowing students to dictate responses to a scribe.

Think It Up!

• Have students think more deeply about the concept by responding to a Think It Up prompt as an exit ticket or journal entry:
  • Challenge your team to get a “blackout” Tic-Tac-Tally game board by making connections across the board.
  • Remove one card from the game board and create two new cards to complete the new connections.
• Encourage students to use lead4ward’s Thinking Stems (English/Spanish) to frame their responses, if needed.