Kansas+Day,+January+29,1861

Cut up 16 trivia slips (or increase trivia amount so there's one per student). Half of them can be printed on one color paper, and the other half on a different color. Fold up trivia slips and pass around so everyone grabs one. Tell the people with the "blue" slips to form a tight circle in the middle of the room. Once the circle is formed, have them reverse themselves so their circle is facing out. Have the people with the "yellow" slips form another, larger circle, outside of this circle. They should stand directly across from someone in the inner circle. (Must have even numbers, so the teacher may have to take part, too.) Tell the "blue" slip people they will go first, reading their trivia, and the person facing them answers. Then the "yellow" slip people ask their question. Teacher says, "Outside circle, move two people to the right." Repeat reading of trivia. Teacher says, "Outside circle, move one person to the right." Repeat reading of trivia. Teacher says, "Inside circle, move two people to the right." Etc. Do activity for about 10 minutes.

Here's a great, whole class activity that keeps everyone involved. Choose two students to sit up at the front of the room, with their backs to the projector as it shows a slide on the powerpoint behind them. The rest of the class can see the slide. The two students work as a team, taking turns, asking the class "YES" or "NO" questions about what is behind them. Critical thinking and questioning comes into play as the students try to narrow down the categories, setting of picture, season; if there's people doing an activity; if there's animals; if it's an object; if it involves water/air/earth; if it's current time or back in the past, etc. Play continues until the picture is guessed, or until the teacher stops it if it's going too long. (Only the teacher is allowed to give clues, or focus the line of questioning.)

Here's the flip side to the above activity! Also highly motivating! The general topic could be "Kansas."