Classroom test review doesn’t have to be a chore. It’s no secret that kids learn best when they’re engaged and challenged, so a test review session with games is the perfect combination. Whether it’s a simple activity, like splitting the class into teams and awarding points for correct answers or a high-tech iPad app, classroom games are some of the most customizable tools teachers can use. We’ve rounded up some great ideas and resources to make review time feel more like play time.
Mathball
Put your classroom bulletin board to work with this fun, downloadable activity. In this football-themed game, which can adapted to any subject, the class is divided into two teams. Teams gain yards by correctly answering questions worth five, 10, or 15 yards. The first team to the goal line gets a touchdown.
Jeopardy
Jeopardy-style trivia games are a great way to review a wide range of material. Break the review content into categories and let contestants (or teams) rack up points. You can even have a student keeping a scoreboard. There are several variations on this class favorite, from the good old raise-your-hand-and-answer format to PowerPoint and web-based games. You can even get buzzers or lights to raise the stakes.
Wheel of Learning
Make your own Wheel of Fortune-style game with this awesome dry erase spin wheel. It’s highly customizable, and you can use it to let students choose categories, vocabulary words, math problems, and more.
Bingo
This classic game is easy to adapt to almost any subject. It’s especially good for vocabulary review. To get even more mileage out of the fun, use laminated card stock and let students create their own cards using words from a list. Or, if you’re short on time, use one of the many ready-made bingo games available.
10-Minute Brain Challenge
Using Mindware’s BrainBox brain boosting memory games, players study the pictures-and-facts side of a game card for 10 seconds, and them flip to the other side to see how many questions they can answer. Each games includes cards, a sand timer and an eight-sided die.
Tech-Based Games
If your classroom is well-equipped with tech goodies like iPads, there are tons of awesome game apps you can utilize. There are games for every age, ability level, and subject, from ABCYa! to Wordle. The educator’s website CommonSense.org has a comprehensive list of apps, websites, and other tech tools that are reviewed and recommended by real teachers.
