I usually like to use a game or SIOP type activity for review at the end of a unit but not for introducing new material. The week before quarter break I used a SIOP type activity to introduce new material and it worked pretty well. I did something that I am sure has a real name but I called it "You are the Expert". I divided the students into groups of 4 and gave them twenty minutes to read a section of the textbook and prepare a presentaion they could give to the rest of the class. They could use markers, whiteboard space, anything they could find in the room, for the presentation. Twenty minutes kept the groups moving and the presentations came out pretty well. The only problem was that the presentatons were pretty much dominated by one student. If I do this again (which I am pretty sure I will) I will give the kids all hour to prepare and require that each member of the group is responsible for a part of the presentation. It is widely known that I am an expert in must if not all subject areas (just ask me) but I do not feel using this activity denied students access to my superior intellect. I was able to supplement and/or interject as needed.