QR Challenge: PALS

Created using the ClassTools QR Treasure Hunt Generator

Teacher Notes

A. Prior to the lesson:

1. Arrange students into groups. Each group needs at least ONE person who has a mobile device.

2. If their phone camera doesn't automatically detect and decode QR codes, ask students to

• Download a QR reader (e.g. I-Nigma | NeoReader | Kaywa) onto their mobile devices
• Bring these devices into the lesson.

3. Print out the QR codes.

4. Cut them out and place them around your class / school.

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B. The lesson:

1. Give each group a clipboard and a piece of paper so they can write down the decoded questions and their answers to them.

2. Explain to the students that the codes are hidden around the school. Each team will get ONE point for each question they correctly decode and copy down onto their sheet, and a further TWO points if they can then provide the correct answer and write this down underneath the question.

3. Away they go! The winner is the first team to return with the most correct answers in the time available. This could be within a lesson, or during a lunchbreak, or even over several days!

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C. TIPS / OTHER IDEAS

4. A detailed case study in how to set up a successful QR Scavenger Hunt using this tool can be found here.

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Questions / Answers (teacher reference)

Question	Answer
1. What is PALS?	A “class-wide peer tutoring” program, where students with different ability levels work in pairs to practice reading skills
2. How are students paired?	Class is ranked high to low, split in the middle, and the top high performer is paired with top low performer,etc.
3. How can you handle an odd number of students?	Triads, floater
4. What are the activities for K or 1st grade PALS?	Kindergarten: teacher-directed sound play and decoding activities, then partner decoding (what sound, what word, sound boxes and reading sentences) and later book reading—First: teacher-led practice and partner activities (sounds and words, speed game, and partner reading)
5. What is the teacher’s role during PALS?	Observe pairs, provide corrections and feedback, praise and mark bonus points, pace lessons appropriately, individualize lessons as needed
6. What is the purpose of the point system?	Keeps students motivated and following correct procedures
7. How many days a week (and for how long) should PALS be implemented?	3-4 days for 20-45 minutes (depending on grade and time of year)

 

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