Appointment Clock Buddies

Teacher Directions

Overview: This activity is a fun way to create ready-

made sets of partners for cooperative learning lessons.

Steps:

1. Duplicate one copy of the Appointment Clock printable for each

student and distribute prior to the activity.

2. To begin, ask students to write their own names and the date at the top

of their clock papers.

3. Then ask students to stand up with their papers and a pencil and begin

moving quietly around the room.

4. Give an audible signal (clap, chimes, buzzer, bell, etc.) and have students

stop and find a partner.

5. When everyone has a partner, ask them to sign their partner’s paper on

the 3 o’clock line. It’s very important that they all start on the same line.

6. Give the signal to move and have students mix around the room. Signal

them to stop and find a new partner. This time you’ll need to check to

be sure everyone does have a new partner before you proceed with the

next step. You may have to switch a few students to create new pairs.

7. Now ask students to sign each other’s papers on the 6 o’clock line.

8. To complete the activity, have students mix around and pair up two

more times. They’ll sign next on the 9 o’clock line and finally on the

12 o’clock line. If you have a small class, it may take some help on your

part to make sure everyone has a new partner for each time slot.

9. After all lines are signed, students return to their seats and put their

papers in a safe place such as in the front of their binders.

10. Now each time you need for them to form partners, have them take

out their appointment clocks and name one of the four times. For

example, “Today you will meet with your 9 o’clock appointment to

complete your graphic organizer.”

Note: Each time you use the clock, remind students to put their clocks

away in a safe place. After half a dozen kids have lost their clocks, this

method of pairing becomes ineffective! Then it’s time to start over and

make new clocks.

Created by Laura Candler ~ Teaching Resources ~

Appointment Clock Buddies - Template Page 2