Problem: My kids are really bored with test review but we’ve got to do it anyway!
Solution: Make it a game! This is a little bit like Jeopardy but I make some modifications to ensure maximum engagement.
Use index cards or pieces of paper to create the “game board.” This one is set up for a math review. One the back of each numbered card I have written a question. I try to make the lower point values easier questions and the higher point values harder questions. Here is a sample of some questions:
This game can be played with students working on teams or individually.
Playing as Teams – Divide students into teams. Give all students either white boards or paper to work on. The first team to go picks a category and question number. Read the question out loud. If the team that chose the question comes up with the right answer, then they get the number of points shown on the other side of the card. To encourage all students to engage and get the most review they can, I have everybody work on the question. Then if the first team doesn’t come up with the right answer, other teams can get a chance to steal the points.
You can have the team that wins the point choose the next question or just rotate through and let each team pick a question when it is their turn.
The team with the most points at the end can choose from the treasure box, go to recess 2 minutes early, be the first in line to go home, etc.
Playing as Individuals – Give each student a white board or piece of paper. Choose students at random to pick a category and question number. Read the question out loud and have every student work on it. After a few minutes, give the answer (or show how to work through the problem). Each student that gets the answer right gives themselves points on the corner of their whiteboard or piece of paper (using tally marks works pretty well).
It runs on the honor system and some kids won’t be honest but hopefully they’ll get something out of the review anyway.
At the end you can have everyone stand up that has at least 10 points. Then everyone who has at least 15 points can stay standing. Then everyone that has at least 20 points can stay standing, etc.
Keep the cards and you can put them up again next year!
Hannah Braun is a former teacher with 8 years of experience in the classroom and a master's degree in early childhood education. She designs engaging, organized classroom resources for 1st-3rd grade teachers.
