Two Fun Classroom Review Games

If you're like me, you're always looking for fun games to review material with students.  My favorites (like Scoot) are games that allow you to review almost any concept or subject, so they can be used again and again throughout each school year.  Having an arsenal of games to keep things fresh for students is a good way to get them excited about preparing for assessment.

That's why I liked these two review games that are both fun and simple to implement for all subjects and grade levels:

• Joy in the Journey discusses the creation and evolution of a classroom game called "Silent Ball."  Yep, that's right.  A silent review game.  A ball is tossed between students who are seated on their desks.  If they catch it, they are given a vocabulary word to define, math fact or history question to answer, etc.  If they are correct, they toss to the next person.  If they miss the answer, they sit down and are out.  If the ball is tossed poorly so that the next person cannot possibly catch it, the tosser sits and is out.  If the person being thrown the ball misses the catch, they are out.  Also, if anyone speaks except when answering a question, they are out!  Hence, the silent part of Silent Ball.  This review game gets kids active and using kinesthetic learning while also exercising their mental muscles.
• This game is one mentioned by some teachers who said their class loved it so much, it was a great motivation tool.  I hadn't heard of it before and went to youtube to see it performed.  It's called Mind Soccer.  It appears to be associated with the Whole Brain Teaching method.  All you need is a class split into two teams, and a board to keep score.   You mimic Family Feud and soccer, basically, as you ask the teams review questions.  Teams are penalized for missing answers or taking too long to respond, which gives the other team a chance to steal points.  Watch these two classes (split in the time-honored rivalry of boys against girls) get loud and excited about reviewing their lessons with this game:

Best Games: Once Upon a Time

First up in the Best Games for the Classroom Series, we have Once Upon a Time, a card game that has been popular for a long time.  In fact, it won awards for being such a great game, including a Parent's Choice Award last year.  It inspires the imagination and can be a great way to help students hone writing skills, understand story elements, and explore the fantasy genre.

The object of the game is to use a deck of cards, each showing a story element, to collaboratively tell a story with the rest of the players.  You want to be the first to get rid of all your cards, but you have to do so by describing a story element using the cards in your possession.  At various times, other players can interrupt the narrative and continue it themselves, trying to get rid of their own cards.  Players have to think fast and rely not only on their knowledge of storytelling and fairy tales, but also their own ingenuity to win.  Each player has one card with a possible "ending" to the story, so each player is jostling to try to manipulate the story to their own end and get rid of their cards first.  

From the Parents-Choice.org site:

"Once Upon a Time requires attention and problem solving abilities as the players try to figure out when they might be able to interrupt the current storyteller. It also draws upon players' creativity and imagination as they attempt to expand the plot and develop characters."

 

Check out the publisher's list of how the game can be useful for students.

The game can get silly and fun, as seen in the video below.  There are also versions of the game where players can make their own deck with elements they choose and draw themselves.  Students can add their own favorite characters, original characters or silly elements to that type of deck.  

The storytelling possibilities are endless with this game.  Watch below to see how players have to think, create a story, and cleverly find ways to use the story elements in their hand:

Play "Password" to Review Vocabulary Words

I found this idea on Pinterest.


Education.com provides easy instructions for science review using the popular game known as Password.  If you've never seen it, Password is a game where one person gives their partner clues about a certain word, but they can't say specific things about that word that would make it easy for their partner to guess.


The site suggests using it to review science vocabulary (and, if you sign up for the site, you can download the activity to share with your class), but you can really use it for any type of vocabulary practice.  In fact, you can adapt this activity for review of social studies/history facts, characters and events in a novel, math terms, etc.  Just have the students create their words on index cards, being sure to include words they "can't say" when they provide clues for their partners.


It's a great game for review and practice with words.  The partner has to provide the word, but it's also beneficial for the clue-giver, who has to make other associations with the word than just the "book definition."  See examples and instructions here.  

image:  education.com

Fun Online Word Game

How long will it take you to find words made of only 4 letters? 4 letters sounds simple enough, but this word game still provides a good way to challenge your linguistic skills. The words are formed by sliding the "strips" up and down and making the letters selected form actual words. You can choose either a normal or relaxed pace while playing.
If students are looking for a fun game online, or need a word work center, try this game and see how well they know some of our language's shortest words.

image: microsoft

Free Math Game: Challenging Multiplication Grid

How well do you know your multiplication facts?
Are you comfortable with digits beyond 12?

Here's a chance to test yourself (and your students) with this fun, challenging game.  It's a Speed Grid Challenge, and I'll admit that it defeated me quite a few times.


This is a good mental math activity (with introductory algebra skills) that challenges thinkers to solve by choosing numbers from a grid.  Sounds kind of easy, doesn't it?  Not if you're unable to quickly calculate a number times 13, 15, or higher!  

You can select how many problems to solve in however many minutes you choose.  The default, 8 questions in 2 minutes, is a good place to start.  If you are able to do that comfortably, up the stakes to more problems and/or less time to solve.  Conversely, if the default is too challenging (ahem), feel free to decrease the number of problems, or increase the time limit.  Once students find a comfortable pace, encourage them to strive for a more challenging pace.

If you're looking for math activities for kids, especially ones who've mastered their multiplication facts, this free game is a good mental exercise.  It would be a good math center or computer station activity.
Try it yourself, and with your math class.  It's one of my favorites!

Brainquest Cards: A Good Investment

Fortunately for me, I sub for many teachers who invest in Brainquest cards. They come in a small package and a few are designed for each grade level. Each card contains a ton of questions related to math, geography, history, grammar, science, etc. The cards also have answers on the back, so they are good resource to have.


They are convenient, contain good information, and they are easy to use. They are really helpful for resourceful substitutes because you can use them in all sorts of ways. Over the years, I have used them to give a quick mental challenge to students as the clock winds down for the end of the day, and I've also allowed students to sit in pairs and use them as a free time activity. Just recently, I took the box of Brainquest cards with me in the hallway and asked students questions to keep them occupied while we waited during a restroom break and for another class to clear out of the art room. It's easy to make the questions a game.  The kids always respond really well to Brainquest because they questions are usually accessible, things kids know or are interested to learn. 

If you haven't seen them, try them out for your grade level (they have products for preschool through seventh grade). They have a website for students to answer questions online.  I believe they also make workbooks and boardgames.  Nevertheless, I like the quick simplicity and engagement you get from the cards.  They've been lifesavers several times.

Sparkle: The Spelling Game

This is a whole-class spelling game that I played with a class last week.  It is very fun and got them excited to practice their spelling words.  I would recommend it to any teacher looking for a way to enliven their spelling lesson or give students something fun and productive to do with the entire class.

The game is called Sparkle.  The particular teacher I was subbing for had a cute little wand made especially for games like this, which I used to point at students on their turn to keep the rhythm going quickly.

For this game, it's probably better to play when a spelling test is approaching because it's good for students to have some familiarity with the words, as opposed to playing the day you give them the new list.  Having time to study and learn the words will help them play better.

First, everyone can stand or sit in a circle.  The class I was subbing just formed a big circle around the classroom.  Pick a word from the list and a person to start the game.  Say the word, and the first student says the first letter of the word.  The next student says the next letter of the word on and on around the circle until the final letter is spoken.  After that, the next student says, "sparkle," a signal of the completion of the spelling word.  The student next to the one who says "sparkle" then sits down.  They are out.  Give the class the next word.  The same thing happens with each student providing one letter from the word, one student saying "sparkle" once the word is completed, and the next student sitting down. 

Students are also out and sit down if they do not give the correct letter for the word, or if they hesitate too long because they don't know.  You can decide how to proceed when students make mistakes.  The next student will have to give the correct letter to the word, and this sometimes results in several people having to sit down because they've forgotten the word or weren't paying attention to the letters already guessed.  After several people have guessed the wrong letters, you may choose a different word and come back to it.  At the end of the game, make note of the words that gave the class particular trouble so that they can practice with them more before the spelling test.  You can continue playing the game until one winner is left from all the players.




The game eliminates players as much from chance (their position in the circle after someone says "sparkle" means they have to sit down, even if they know how to spell all their words) as it does from mistakes.  Let students who sit down know you will play the game often and that it's not a big deal for them to lose one round.

Some students told me they have also played a version of the game where they sit on top of their desks and go around the room spelling the letters, and sit down in their seats when they are out.  This would also be a nice game to play outside on good weather days.  Do whatever works for you.  The kids really liked the game and it gave them much-needed time to work with their spelling words.  I enjoyed leading the game.  Try it!

image: microsoft

Time Filler: License Plate Puzzles

Got a few minutes of class time to fill?


Substitute teachers in particular have questions about how to fill a few minutes of class time.  As I always say, a classroom with nothing to do can quickly erupt into chaos.  You'd be surprised how rowdy a class can get just 10 minutes before dismissal, especially.


What I like to do is have a few brainteasers, short stories or puzzles on hand just to occupy students' minds for those few minutes until we transition to something else.  Kids usually like things like that because they can be done orally as a class, and they're fun!


I found these License Plate Puzzles from Brain Candy, and all you have to do is print them out and save them for work in case you ever have the opportunity to use them in class.  You can display your print out on those neat document cameras I love or, if the class doesn't have one, you can just copy the license plates on the board for all to see.


Essentially, these are just rebus puzzles in the form of vanity plates.  See if students can figure out what the message is saying for each one.


If you have a few more minutes to fill, challenge students to create their own vanity plates on paper.  You can even introduce it with a whole story about how they've just gotten their first car and they really want to make a statement with their vanity plates.  Tell them they can only use letters and numbers, and no more than 6-7 spaces to create a message.


Cool way to exercise the brain!


Here is another list of vanity plate messages.  Make sure they're school-appropriate.  ;-)

Word Play Game: Bananagrams

Bananagrams are a great classroom tool that I encountered this year.  It's impressive that a cute little banana-shaped pouch turns out to be a fun spelling or word work activity.  What was really interesting to me is that the game is challenging:  the banana pouch is full of letter tiles that students use in a fast-pace race to construct crossword puzzles.  As you see a game being played, it looks a lot like Scrabble, except quicker thinking is involved.


It's a cool game that is a great way to practice spelling, use in a word work center, or just give the class to play for a fun game.  Kids love word games and get really excited while they're playing, which could really liven up a spelling or language arts lesson.   They also learn and get a chance to practice their word skills.  Bananagrams have even won several awards for educational toys.  


There are also some books that help challenge players as they play the game.  Whether you have young elementary students or word-savvy older learners, these books are a guide for playing at the right difficulty level.  You know I love mental exercises for students, so this makes the activity even more appealing to me!  There are also other versions of the game that include apples and pears.


Because of the flexibility, challenge and fun this activity offers, it's been one of my favorite finds so far!  I'm not too shabby at word games, and I really would like to play.


Check out this quick video for a description of the game:

The Scoot Game (Teachers Swear By It)

One of my favorite things I've come across is a classroom activity fondly referred to on the ProTeacher Community as the "Scoot game."  It's actually very easy to do, a great way to review information for any subject, and it gets students up and moving!  Teachers on the site swear by it.




Here's how to do it:

Scoot Game-

- Make a simple chart with boxes to represent each student in your class, and number each box (pretend each box is a student).  Give a copy to each student. This is where they will write their answers.  You need a copy as well, with problems and solutions in each box.

-For each student's desk, assign a number.  It would probably be a good idea to have the desks evenly divided into rows.  (*note*  I thought about it, and it seems to me putting the desks in a big circle would be the best method.  It would make movement between desks easier.) You may want to fold an index card with a number written on it so that it is easily visible.

-On each desk, place a flashcard or index card with a problem on it.  It could be a math problem, a question from a social studies text, a vocabulary definition, etc.  Each desk will have a different problem on it.

-When you start the game, students flip over the index card, read the problem and solve it.  At regular intervals, yell "scoot!" and have students move to the next desk to solve the next problem.  If they start at desk 1, they will write the answer in box 1 and, when "scoot" is called, they must flip the card over and scoot to desk 2 to do the same thing with a new problem.  If they start at desk 18, they must scoot to desk 19, etc.

-Once everyone has gone to each desk and gotten a chance to answer each question, you can end the game and review the answers they wrote on their charts.

Here is one I made up for a class of 12 students reviewing percents:

How much time do they have to work before you demand for them to "scoot"?  It's entirely up to you!  You probably want to begin reviews slowly at first (and have a few practice runs before assigning problems to demonstrate how to scoot in an orderly fashion from desk to desk).  After a few more lessons on the skill, they should be ready to progress in the game at a faster rate.

If they're just starting out with the skill, give them several seconds, but make it fast enough to keep them on their toes.  If you're preparing them for quick recall of facts (multiplication or state capitals, for example), it would be beneficial (and fun) to train them to be able to scoot within a couple of seconds.

Again, I also like the flexibility.  You could have simple addition problems, shape recognition or letter identification on the cards for kindergartners, or complex math, science or grammar problems for older grades.  The sky's the limit.

Join the ProTeacher forums and search "scoot" for some pre-made game questions from the awesome members!  I credit them for the idea.

-Veronica

image: microsoft

Top Teaching Tips of the Week (September 27-October 3)

1. The Mailbox (one of my favorites!) is giving away a coupon for orders!  The offer ends TODAY, so use it quickly.
2. Looking for a science game?  Print out the game board for Endangered!  Students can learn the instructions, play, and explore facts about endangered species.  This could be quite useful if you're looking for activities for science centers.  Be sure to laminate the game board for repeated use.  A good extension would be for students to research the animals featured (source: American Museum of Natural History).
3. Fall is here, so it's a great time for classes to study weather changes.  Visit The Weather Channel Kids for classroom ideas and teacher resources.  Take a moment to register for free, click on the Weather Classroom page, and find all sorts of information and reproducible sheets.  They have lesson plans, experiments, weather puzzles, resources and tons of other helpful things.
4. Your class can participate in the 4th Annual GovDocKids Group US Constitution Day Poster Design Contest.  Download the entry form, and then submit student designs of how they have benefitted from the freedoms granted by the Constitution.  Assign it this week because entries must be postmarked by this Friday  (source: constitutionfacts.com).
5. Hispanic Heritage Month is nearly half over.  Have you taken the opportunity to shine a positive light on the culture?  See my list of ideas to get you started!