Practice Competition Lesson Plan

  1. Organize students into teams of 4 (3 or 5 are OK). Assign a captain to each team (or have students pick a captain).
  2. Explain the following rules:
    1. There will be 2 quizzes, each 15 minutes long.
    2. Only 1 answer sheet will be turned in for each team. The Captain will turn this sheet in. The captain copies answers her teammates give her to each of the problems in the quiz when they solve them.
    3. The captain makes sure each team member is working on a different problem. Let team members volunteer to do problems they understand.
    4. First problem is the easiest, last problem is the hardest. The last problems are worth a lot more than the first problems, so look at the last ones first.
    5. At the "One minute to go" announcement (which you will make) the captain makes sure every problem has an answer.
    6. If time permits, every team member checks other answers on the Captain's answer sheet. Make sure answers seem 'reasonable' and that the units are correct.
  3. Start the first quiz no later than 15 minutes after class starts.
  4. After each quiz, explain the answer to each question. Ask students to solve problems on the board. Try to be quick about this.
  5. Add team scores on each test for a total team score. (This is where a second helper comes in handy). If you wish, award prizes (stickers, candy, etc.) to high scoring teams. Try to mix up the teams each time so the same students don't get all the rewards.
  6. Coaches can answer questions from students (especially those on weak teams) up to about a month before the Olympiad. After that point (approximately the end of February) be more strict about rule inforcement.
  7. No homework this week!