Give One, Get One
Trade ideas one-on-one to fill your list
At a Glance
Duration
10–20 min
Group Size
12–40 students
Space Setup
Open space for students to mingle
Materials
- Recording sheet with numbered blanks
- Pencils
- Timer
Bloom's Taxonomy
SEL Competencies
What is Give One, Get One?
Give One, Get One is a collaborative brainstorming strategy that maximizes student movement and peer-to-peer knowledge exchange to deepen conceptual understanding. By requiring students to trade unique ideas with multiple partners, the method breaks down information silos and ensures every student leaves the activity with a comprehensive list of perspectives. This works because it leverages the 'protégé effect,' where students better encode information when they must explain it to others, while simultaneously reducing the cognitive load of independent recall. The structured social interaction fosters a low-stakes environment for academic risk-taking, making it particularly effective for activating prior knowledge or reviewing complex units. Beyond simple content acquisition, the methodology builds essential social and emotional skills like active listening and concise communication. It transforms passive note-taking into an active, kinesthetic experience that honors student voice and promotes a democratic classroom culture where every participant is both a teacher and a learner.
Ideal for
When to Use It
Grade Bands
Subject Fit
How to Run a Give One, Get One
Prepare the Recording Sheet
Distribute a handout with a 3x3 or 4x4 grid, leaving space for students to write their own ideas and those they collect.
Set the Prompt
Provide a clear, open-ended question or topic and give students 2-3 minutes of silent 'think time' to write down three original ideas.
Establish Movement Rules
Instruct students to stand up, find a partner, and use a 'hand up, pair up' signal to ensure everyone finds a peer quickly.
Execute the Exchange
Student A shares one idea (Give One) while Student B listens and writes it down (Get One); they then switch roles so both gain a new perspective.
Rotate Partners
Signal students to find a new partner after each exchange, emphasizing that they must collect unique ideas from different people.
Facilitate a Whole-Class Debrief
Bring the class back together to share the most common or surprising ideas collected, ensuring all key concepts are clarified.
Research Evidence
Topping, K. J.
2005 · Educational Psychology, 25(6), 631-645
Peer learning activities like Give One, Get One improve academic achievement and social and emotional outcomes by requiring students to organize their thoughts for communication to others.
Roseth, C. J., Johnson, D. W., & Johnson, R. T.
2008 · Psychological Bulletin, 134(2), 223-246
The study demonstrates that cooperative learning structures significantly outperform competitive or individualistic models in promoting higher achievement and positive peer relationships.
Topics That Work Well With Give One, Get One
Browse curriculum topics where Give One, Get One is a suggested active learning strategy.
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Grade 10 · French / Modern Languages
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Grade 4 · French / Modern Languages
All About Me
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Personal Profiles
Grade 6 · French / Modern Languages
Sports and Athletics
Grade 6 · French / Modern Languages
Defining the Self
Grade 7 · French / Modern Languages
Frequently Asked Questions
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Generate a Mission with Give One, Get One
Use Flip Education to create a complete Give One, Get One lesson plan, aligned to your curriculum and ready to use in class.