GravityKills Classroom

CrossSolve is a group assessment designed to promote collaborative problem solving and meaningful discussion. Students first demonstrate basic content mastery by completing Ticket to Team individually before being permitted to work in groups. They then engage in problem solving and discussion to develop and submit a final, agreed-upon group solution, strengthening both their content understanding and communication skills. For teachers, CrossSolve provides clear evidence of student learning while significantly reducing grading demands.

 

Ticket to Team gives students the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of the unit’s foundational concepts. Students who demonstrate mastery earn the opportunity to join their CrossSolve team and complete the free-response portion collaboratively.

​

Benefits

Real-World & Future Relevance

• It’s real-life: scientists and engineers work in teams, not in isolation

• Returning college students report that many courses rely heavily on group projects

Collaboration & Communication Skills

• Like CrissCross: team discussion and collaboration

• Teach one another

• Learn to interject and lead when necessary

Critical Thinking & Problem Solving

• They develop the solutions as a team

• They have to debate and support their position

Student Growth & Mindset

• Builds student efficacy – the ability to produce a desired or intended result

• Builds confidence – students know they have the basic skills after passing Ticket to Team

Academic Performance

• Encourages better performance on multiple-choice assessments – opportunity to reach a higher team

​

Language Learners

Leverages Peer Interaction for Language Development

• EB students hear, practice, and negotiate academic language in meaningful contexts 

Encourages Multiple Ways to Participate

• CrossSolve does not require students to produce long verbal explanations. 

EB students can contribute through: 

• pointing to diagrams, 

• writing equations or steps, 

• offering short phrases or keywords, 

• confirming or questioning ideas

Builds Confidence and Academic Identity

• Passing the Ticket to Team builds course confidence.

Promotes Structured Academic Talk

• Teams must discuss and support positions and engage in purposeful discourse instead of casual conversation.