Homework Help
Lesson 2: Help for Teachers
Review Games
Here are several of my favorite review games. They make reviewing fun, and they are a sure way to get students to prepare for those tests. I've had great success with these, and students love them. One note - they are all copyrighted, but I grant students taking this course the right to use any or all of these in their classrooms. If you do decide to use them, please give credit to me or this course! Thanks!!
Geography Review
Students will love to review geography skills by using the overhead projector
and playing this Geography Review game.
Prior to playing, duplicate, on a transparency, a blank outline map
of a state, region, or country which has been studied. Make small location cards for the names of places which can be found on the map being used. Be sure to include cities, physical features, places of interest, and bordering states or bodies of water.
Divide the class into teams of 4 or 5. Give each group a different
colored transparency marker. In turn, have one student from each group
select a location card, and label that place on the map. Incorrect labels
should be erased, and that card returned to the pile.
At the end of play, count the number of correct labels for each group.
Declare the group with the most correct labels the winner.
Secret Words
This game is a fun way for students to review vocabulary. To prepare
for play, make vocabulary cards by writing words to be practiced on index
cards. Explain to the class that the object of the game is for one team mate
to try to guess the team's Secret Word after being given clues to the meaning
by the rest of the team. The team that needs the fewest clues to guess
its Secret Word is the winner.
To play:
1. Divide the class into teams. This game can be played with 2 or
3 large teams, Or several smaller teams.
2. Send the first student from Team One into the hall. Have Team
One choose a word from the prepared vocabulary cards, and agree on several
clues as to the meaning.
3. Have the student in the hall return to the class. Tell team mates
to take turns giving vocabulary clues without actually stating the definition
of the selected word. Have students give clues until the word is guessed.
The team receives one point for each clue needed to determine the word.
4. Continue to play, and keep score, with members of alternating teams
having a turn to guess their team's Secret Word.
When all words have been used, the team with the lowest score is
the winner.
Line Up Lessons
Are you looking for a way to squeeze in a little bit of review and productively use some of that "down time" that we find in every classroom? If so, this tip is for you!
This "line up" game is a quick way to review any subject area while students are preparing to leave the classroom for lunch, recess, or special class. To begin, have all students quietly line up at the classroom door. Be sure everyone has his or her lunch, library books or sneakers, depending upon where your class is headed. Using flash cards, vocabulary or word cards, or topics from recent lessons, present the first student in line with a question. If she answers correctly, she may proceed to lunch, recess, or other special class. If a student answers incorrectly, send him to the end of the line to try another question. Try to pick review questions that will allow students to be successful But, never make a student go tot he end of the line more than once!!
Continue in this manner until all students have answered correctly, and have gone on to other classes.
This idea works well with spelling words, too. Have a quick "Spelling Bee" at the door - students must spell a word correctly before leaving the classroom. This is especially good on days when your spelling test will come later on in the day - gives everyone a little bit more practice!
**Homeschoolers - this idea can be adapted to be used when your children are getting ready to go on a shopping trip, getting into the car, or whenever you have a few minutes for review.
Match Up
Looking for a fun way for students to review material from recent lessons?
Match Up is a fun group review game students will love to play.
Prior to play, make sets of Question and Answer cards covering material
you wish to have students review. Write questions and answers on separate
cards, making one complete set for each group of 4 or 5 students. As students
become accustomed to the types of questions and answers you include, you
may wish to have them create some of the cards for future games.
To play:
1. Form groups of 4 or 5.
2. Give each group a set of Match Up cards. Have students deal each
player 5 cards, and spread out the rest face down on the desk in front of
them.
3. Instruct students to take turns asking each other for the "match"
for one of the cards in their hands. A "match" consists of one question
card, and the corresponding answer card. Have students ask for the correct
matching cards as follows:
If a student is holding a question card (for example - "What is the
capital of the United States?") he must ask for the match by naming the
corresponding answer ("Do you have a Washington DC card?) in order to get
the match. Conversely, a student holding an answer card must ask for the
correct question card in order to get the match.
4.Students should accumulate "matches" in a pile to be counted at
the end of the game.
5. If no match is found, the student must select a card from the face
down cards. Play continues until all matches have been made.
6. The student who accumulated the most "matches" wins.
An alternative way to play is to form teams of two who play together
opposite other teams of two. This allows for some collaboration on questions
and answers.
Pass Around
Have fun reviewing spelling or language arts skills by playing
Pass Around.
To play:
1. Divide the class into teams of 4 or 5.
2. Give each team one sheet of lined writing paper.
3. Explain to the class that the object of the game is for each
team to correctly spell or write a dictated word or sentence without
team members talking to one another. Teams who talk during play should
be penalized several points.
4. To play, dictate a spelling word·or a sentence for language
arts skills practice. In turn, each student on each team writes one
part (letter or word) of the dictated spelling word or sentence. The
team passes the paper around the group until the entire word or
sentence is completed. The last student to receive the paper may
edit and correct any part of the team's work. Be sure students
follow the No Talking rule!
5. Display the correct spelling or sentence on the chalkboard.
Have each team check its work. Award points to teams for correct
spelling, grammar, or punctuation depending upon the skill being
emphasized.
6. Continue to dictate words and/or sentences and tally points
as above. The team with the most points at the end of the game is
declared the winner.
All games in this section: Copyright 2000 Irene Taylor All rights reserved
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