This activity provides a way for students to go beyond memorizing definitions, to look for patterns and connections embedded in the vocabulary words and concepts. Students can share the cards in groups or pairs. Students can work together to develop sentences utilizing vocabulary words or they can work independently. 

Teacher Note: This activity can be used at several different points in the lesson or at multiple points in the lesson by giving students selected cards for the tic-tac-toe game board. Students can work independently by sharing a stack of cards or they can work collaboratively to develop sentences. Every time you use the strategy, students should be given 10-15 minutes to write nine sentences. 

Objectives

• Students develop vocabulary skill by linking words to explain concepts.
• Students develop social skills by collaborating with classmates.
• Students create connections by looking for patterns among vocabulary words.

Materials

• Copy of Tic-Tac-Toe Cards
• Teachers may want to enlarge the cards, print on card stock and laminate prior to use.  Be sure to make enough cards for the number of groups you have. 
• Student desks arranged in groups if working collaboratively.
• Paper and writing tool.
• Striped Bass module web pages

 Procedure

1. Print out a copy of the Tic-Tac-Toe Cards for each group.
2. Cut the blocks into cards.  
3. Students shuffle their cards and deal out nine cards in a 3 X 3 format.
4. Students work together to form 8 sentences, including the three words straight across in a row, straight down in a column and the two diagonals.  
5. Groups share sentences that capture important connections, or missed connections between words and concepts being studied.

National Science Education Standards

9-12 A: Science as Inquiry

• Understandings about scientific inquiry

9-12 B: Physical Science

• Interactions of energy and matter

9-12 C: Life Science

• Interdependence of organisms 
• Matter, energy, and organization in living systems 
• Behavior of organisms 

9-12 D: Earth and Space Science

• Energy in the earth system 

9-12 E: Science and Technology

• Understandings about science and technology 

9-12 F: Science in Personal and Social Perspectives

• Population growth 
• Environmental quality 
• Natural and human induced hazards 
• Science and technology in local, national, and global challenges 

9-12 G: History and Nature of Science

• Nature of scientific knowledge 
• Historical perspectives 

Lesson Resources

Tic-tac-toe Cards

Fish and Physics Website