Station 1 - Feature Grids

1. What
   Students are asked to choose how their target words fit into a variety of categories or identify features they associate with the words. They compare their choices with the program's choices, but are not scored, as answers are too subjective. They are asked to try again if fewer than 50% match the program. Some answers are less subjective than others.
2. How
   Students may click on their choice for each word from the drop-down menus or highlight each blank and type in the first letter of the word from the drop-down list that would be their choice. The choices include "yes, no, sometimes, makes no sense." They must fill in all blanks before comparing with the program's choices. The program will congratulate a student who's choices match 100% with the program's choices, but the activity is too subjective to be scored.
3. Why
   The ambiguity of the menu choices and the subjectivity of the answers is what makes this activity valuable. Students must make up their minds as to how to interpret the answer choices. Their personal experience can cause 50% of their final answers to vary from the program's choices. This activity causes students to internalize word meanings because they tend to feel possessive of their answer and choices. Students often are "incensed" at the program's answers when they see the comparison, and will argue internally or even out loud that their choice makes more sense. This internal debate causes students to take greater "ownership" of their words.