Spatial Requirements: Regular classroom setup; little or no space required
Activity Type: Movement/group
Grades: 3-12
Group Size: 4 or more
Time: 30-40 minutes

Introduction: This fun and engaging activity will help students think about the main ideas behind the Flip the Switch lesson and communicate them in a commercial.

Materials:

• Gather random objects from home or from around your classroom that can be used as props in a commercial. These may include hats, glasses, jewelry, or other articles of clothing; decorations, stuffed animals, kitchen utensils, sports equipment, toys, etc. Divide the objects into one bag for each team of 4.

Activity:

Divide students into teams of 4. Tell students that we’re starting a company that has a goal to teach the world about the importance of flipping the switch. Each team is vying for their commercial to be selected as the official “flipping the switch” ad. They are to come up with their commercial and act it out before the board of directors (the rest of the class).

Give each team their bag of props and allow them plenty of time to brainstorm and come up with a fun skit. Then have each team present their “flipping the switch commercial” to the class. Make sure each team gets an enthusiastic round of applause after they present their commercial.

Processing the Experience:

• What was difficult about this activity?
• What did you enjoy about this activity?
• What points from the Flip the Switch lesson were you hoping to demonstrate in your commercial?
• Are there other points from the lesson that you feel are also important?
• How important do you think this lesson could be for our school? How important could it be for our community?