Making Your Own 3 Act Tasks

The nice thing is that all 3 act tasks follow a very specific pattern which makes it easy to create your own if you like.  The opening act where you grab student attention must have a picture or video which does not contain all the information.  The video might be one you create yourself by filming you doing something or it might be a photo.   I found this photo which is from a coffee shop.  It lists prices, extras, and sizes but it does not list the number of ounces in the regular or large sizes.  This menu is something most students would connect with since many high school students enjoy a cup of coffee.

This picture allows for quite a few notice and wonder comments.  This is also one that a teacher might have a question chosen or they might use a question the class comes up with. When choosing the question, it is important to know what information is visible and what information would be needed.  For this type of photo, I'd call or visit a few shops that sell coffee or tea and find out if the regular and large sizes are standard, how many ounces are generally in the espresso and other drinks so you can answer questions and ask students questions that touch on their prior knowledge in Act 2.  

Act 2 is where the students try to figure out what information they have and what they still need in order to answer the question.  It is important to have the additional information ready for students who need additional information. This is also where students use the information to come up with an answer to the question.  Act 3 is where the teacher has the answer prepared for the question that was chosen ahead of time or the teacher can work it out at the time.  I usually go with the preselected question so I can have it finished ahead of time. 

This site has the information from a two day workshop on creating a three act play.  If you go about half way down the page to the section labeled documents and click on the one that says Lesson Plan Template under day 2, it will provide a chart with questions to help you plan the 3 act task.  For act 1, it asks what question will you use and what responses are you expecting from the students. For act 2, it asks you what information is needed, where will they get the answer, what solutions are you expecting, and what are the different entry points.  For act 3, it asks you to determine the possible errors, and how the discussion will help enhance the learning.  It also asks about sequels, and to think about the title.  To the right side is a set of links to already done 3 act tasks you can use if you'd prefer.

If you prefer using a templets, Desmos offers a nice three act templet where one can insert the picture or video, insert the question for the Act 1 of the activity, making an estimation, sketch the estimation, going back to the estimation, class answers .  For act 2, it asks students to remember the question asked before asking what information is needed to answer the question, asks if there is enough information to answer the question after identifying what information is provided in the picture or video, before asking for their solutions,  The last slide is the reveal.  It asks students if their answers are the same and to share their thinking.  In addition, Desmos has a collection of 3 act tasks done for you using Desmos. 

Now you have everything you need to make your own 3 act tasks.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.