review games for elementary
So, today I was thinking about how to make my elementary class reviews more engaging. I mean, worksheets and textbooks? The kids zone out, and honestly, so do I. Then it hit me – games!
I remembered reading something about how games help kids work together and actually learn stuff, plus they’re way more fun. And who doesn’t love a bit of fun in the classroom, right? So I started brainstorming some game ideas. I really wanted some that get the kids up and moving, because, you know, they’ve got that boundless energy.
I tried a few things out today. One was this word cloud game I found mentioned somewhere. Basically, I wrote a bunch of words related to our current topic on the board, all jumbled up like a cloud. The kids had to run up and circle words they recognized and then explain them to the class. It was a bit chaotic, but they loved it! They were so excited, and I was glad to see their passion for learning.
- Word Cloud Game:
- Write topic-related words on the board.
- Kids circle words and explain them.
Then there was another one, a classic called “Around the World.” I remember playing this as a kid! You have the students sit in a circle, and two of them stand up to compete. You ask a question, and the first one to answer correctly moves on to challenge the next student in the circle. The goal is to make it all the way around the circle, back to your original spot. It’s a good one for quick recall stuff. It’s simple, but it really gets them going.
- Around the World:
- Students sit in a circle.
- Two students compete to answer questions.
- The winner moves to the next student.
I also tried out this other game, a sort of classroom version of “Family Feud,” which I saw someone mention online. I divided the class into two teams and had them guess the most popular answers to questions related to what we’ve been learning. It’s a bit more involved, but it’s great for teamwork and getting them to think about different perspectives. I was genuinely surprised by how into it they got. And I was so glad that they were learning while having fun.
- Friendly Feud:
- Divide the class into two teams.
- Teams guess the most popular answers to questions.
Some thoughts after today
I’ve got to say, today was a blast. And I think it was a big hit with the kids, too. I mean, seeing them actually excited about reviewing material? That’s a win in my book. But, to be completely honest, it felt a little all over the place at times. Maybe I need to work on my game-master skills! But seeing them all having a good time is worth it, and I will try more.
I’m thinking of trying out some more of these “low-tech” games I’ve been reading about. I saw some teachers talking about using them, and it sounds like they’re onto something. I think I’m going to keep experimenting with different games and see what works best. It’s all about finding that sweet spot where learning and fun collide. After all, that’s what makes teaching worthwhile, right? Today was good, and it confirmed my thoughts. Games are a fantastic tool, and I’m going to do more for sure. I think that by incorporating more games like these, I can really make learning fun and effective for my students.
