Give One, Get One

Give One, Get One

Trade ideas one-on-one to fill your list

10–20 min12–40 studentsOpen space for students to mingle

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

RememberUnderstand

SEL Competencies

Relationship SkillsSocial Awareness

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

Reviewing content before a testCollecting diverse perspectives quicklyActivating prior knowledge at the start of a unitKinesthetic review activities

When to Use It

Grade Bands

K-2 –3-5 ★6-8 ★9-12 ★

Subject Fit

Math ✓ELA ★Science ★Social Studies ★SEL ★Arts ✓

How to Run a Give One, Get One

1

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.

2

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.

3

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.

4

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.

5

Rotate Partners

Signal students to find a new partner after each exchange, emphasizing that they must collect unique ideas from different people.

6

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.

Mesopotamia: The Land Between Two Rivers

Geography of the Fertile Crescent

6th Grade · Ancient Civilizations

Citizen Participation & Political Ideology

Political Socialization & Ideology

12th Grade · Government & Economics

Heart, Muscles, and Motion

Active Play Every Day

1st Grade · PE & Health

Nutrition and Metabolic Health

Consumer Health and Food Labels

10th Grade · PE & Health

Substance Use and Risk Management

Refusal Skills and Social Pressure

11th Grade · PE & Health

Mental Health and Stress Management

Navigating Life Transitions

12th Grade · PE & Health

Teamwork and Emotional Health

Collaborative Challenges

2nd Grade · PE & Health

Mindfulness and Emotional Well-being

Identifying and Expressing Emotions

3rd Grade · PE & Health

Wellness and Body Systems

Germs and Disease Prevention

4th Grade · PE & Health

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Give One, Get One strategy?
Give One, Get One is a cooperative learning technique where students circulate to exchange ideas and record new information from their peers. It serves as a high-engagement alternative to traditional brainstorming or lecture-based review sessions.
How do I use Give One, Get One in my classroom?
Provide students with a grid or list and ask them to write down 2-3 initial ideas based on a prompt. Students then move around the room, sharing one of their ideas with a partner and recording a new idea from that partner in return.
What are the benefits of Give One, Get One?
This strategy increases student movement and participation while ensuring that even quiet students have a structured way to contribute. It promotes equity by distributing knowledge across the entire classroom rather than relying on a few vocal participants.
How do you differentiate Give One, Get One for struggling learners?
Provide scaffolds such as sentence stems or pre-filled 'starter' ideas on the student's recording sheet. You can also pair students strategically or allow the use of visual aids and sketches instead of written text.

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.

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