Commit and Toss is an engaging activity that encourages anonymous participation, critical thinking, and collaborative learning. Students write their thoughts on a topic, crumple their paper into a ball, and “toss” it away. Then, they pick up a different ball, read the anonymous response, and react or build upon it. This anonymous sharing fosters creative thinking without fear of judgment and allows everyone to contribute.

Materials:

• Scrap paper (enough for each student to write on at least twice)
• Pens or pencils
• A designated “toss” area (trash can, basket, box)
• Optional: Additional materials related to the topic (e.g., images, quotes, manipulatives)

Procedure:

1. Prepare the Topic (5 minutes):
   • Choose a thought-provoking question or prompt. It should be open-ended and relevant to the current learning objectives.
   • Consider Bloom’s Taxonomy level. Will you focus on recall, understanding, application, analysis, evaluation, or creation?
   • Optional: Prepare additional materials to guide and enrich student responses.
2. Commit (10 minutes):
   • Explain the activity. Briefly describe the “commit and toss” process and emphasize anonymity.
   • Provide clear instructions. Tell students how long they have to write, what to write about, and where to toss their paper balls.
   • Encourage reflection. Prompt students to think deeply about the topic and express their unique perspective.
3. Toss (5 minutes):
   • Set ground rules for tossing. Ensure responsible behavior and avoid paper ball-fights.
   • Let the tossing begin! Students anonymously share their thoughts by tossing their paper balls.
4. Pick and Respond (15 minutes):
   • Have students pick up a different paper ball. Encourage them to choose one that sparks their curiosity or interest.
   • Read and reflect on the anonymous response. Ask students to consider the following:
     • Do they agree or disagree with the response? Why?
     • Can they add to the idea or offer a different perspective?
     • Can they connect the response to the topic or previous learning?
   • Respond verbally or in writing. Encourage students to share their reactions and build upon the anonymous response.
5. Wrap-up and Reflection (10 minutes):
   • Facilitate a class discussion. Encourage students to share their overall thoughts and takeaways from the activity.
   • Reflect on the learning process. Discuss the benefits of anonymous participation and collaborative learning.
   • Connect the activity to the learning objectives. Reinforce the key concepts or skills explored through Commit and Toss.

Differentiation:

• Visual Learners: Provide colorful markers or draw prompts on the paper.
• Kinesthetic Learners: Use movement breaks instead of sitting while writing.
• Vary Question Types: Alternate between closed-ended and open-ended questions.
• Small Group Collaboration: Assign roles like “facilitator” and “reporter” in groups.

Technology Integration:

• Interactive Whiteboards and Polling Systems: Display questions on the board for simultaneous “commit” responses using hand signals or colored markers. Use live polling tools like Mentimeter or Kahoot! for “toss” feedback, revealing results in real-time for discussion.
• Collaborative Document Platforms: Share a working document like Google Docs or Padlet where students individually input their “commit” answers in designated sections. “Toss” involves peer review and feedback on each other’s contributions, leading to refined collaborative answers.
• Digital Flashcards and Quizzes: Use spaced repetition apps like Anki or Quizlet to individually “commit” key concepts through flashcards. Group quizzes or online platforms like Quizizz can facilitate “toss” by comparing answers and sparking peer-to-peer learning.