
Historical Boxing Matches
#1
Posted 04 March 2003 - 05:40 PM
<img src="http://www.cyberium....lawrence-1.jpg" border="0" class="linked-sig-image" /> Who said bikers can't be pretentious?
#2
Posted 04 March 2003 - 05:51 PM


I haven't tried this, but certainly will. I guess this really just another way of promoting effective discussion. The possibilities are endless - I have visions of a kid with a bloody nose on the floor whilst the rest of the class is acclaiming a new heavyweight champion of the 8N2 historical discussion.
I was sent a starter yesterday which will appear on the site very soon. It was a shooting starter. You had the kids lined up back to back (duel style). Question is posed by the class or teacher. The first kid to shout out "BANG!" and get the question right 'wins' the duel. If they answer incorrectly they lose and are replaced.
All ideas like this can have a really positive impact on the teaching and learning - as long as the teaching and learning doesn't take second position!
#3
Posted 04 March 2003 - 06:28 PM
Well, I didn't know I was doing something really trendy, but I have done something that I imagine could be called a 'boxing match' for years - especially when revising at A Level.Teaching History featured "Historical Boxing Matches" in a recent issue. ..... Has anyone out there tried this idea? If so, to what effect?
Working in pairs they sit facing each other across a desk. One makes a statement, the partner challenges it and so on until one of them gives in. (Each must support what they say by reference to specific evidence.)
Is that the sort of thing you mean?
If so, it works very well, but everyone needs to be thoroughly prepared in advance otherwise the whole activity just fizzles out or can deteriorate into a slanging match.
I haven't often done this but you can develop the idea into a 'knockout competition'. Victors from Round 1 play each other and so on until a Champion emerges. Trouble with this is that after Round 1 too many are not engaged.
#4
Posted 04 March 2003 - 08:46 PM
I can see the chaos now - Kennedy vs Johnson over Vietnam! Think I'll steer clear of mentioning the current president though...

#5
Posted 05 March 2003 - 09:25 AM
Correct use of a primary source quote in context = 3 points
Use of historiographical evidence = 3 points
Use of statistical evidence = 2 points
Assertion supported by use of other K&U = 1 point
Unsupported assertion = 0 points
The points weighting is pretty arbitrary but is intended to reflect the need for analytical responses in essays.
At the end of the match, the class can decide on who has won by discussing the points awarded. Come to think of it - the matches could be video taped and highlights shown as "Match of the Day" during the next lesson!
<img src="http://www.cyberium....lawrence-1.jpg" border="0" class="linked-sig-image" /> Who said bikers can't be pretentious?
#6
Posted 05 March 2003 - 05:10 PM
Why on earth didn't I think of that! Excellent. Thanks.The problem of what to do with the kids who are not taking part can be addressed by giving each a judge's card and getting them to award points like real judges in a boxing match ..... At the end of the match, the class can decide on who has won by discussing the points awarded.
#7
Posted 21 August 2003 - 02:31 PM
it will definitely get used in my A-Level politics lessons from next term
thanks to all who posted at the time!!!

#8
Posted 21 August 2003 - 06:50 PM
Most of the kids rated it highly on the deedback form we issued!
Well chuffed!
<img src="http://www.cyberium....lawrence-1.jpg" border="0" class="linked-sig-image" /> Who said bikers can't be pretentious?
#9
Posted 13 November 2003 - 09:08 PM
We took a central statement - last year it was "Was Stalin responsible fo the murder of Kirov?", this year it's "The Soviet people paid too high a price for Stalin's economic achievements" and the class divided into 2 halves - one side was to argu yes and the other to argue no.
Their homework was to prepare for the match.
In the first round each side nominates a speaker who puts their case - they have a time limit of 2 minutes.
Then each side goes back to their "corner" to get advice from their team - this means each team has to listen carefully to the opposition arguments and find suitable replies.
Round 2 - each team speaks again for max 2 minutes and then back to their corners ... etc.
This year it is going to be a wrestling match because I'm going to allow them to "tag" another member of their team into the ring to take over.
As referee,(together with anyone who was absent and hadn't prepared this) I awarded points based on how well they made their argument and how well they dealt with the opposition.
They loved it and could hardly wait for their turn with the 2 main speakers last year shouting "You can't take it! Answer that one!" at each other.
#10
Posted 14 November 2003 - 11:22 AM


You're scared of mice and spiders, but oh-so-much greater is your fear that one day the two species will cross-breed to form an all-powerful race of mice-spiders, who will immobilize human beings in giant webs in order to steal cheese.
0 user(s) are reading this topic
0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users