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GAME Changing Test Prep!

Playing games has been a GAME CHANGER in my classroom. My students (no joke!) BEG me to play these games! And there is no better time than test prep season to bust out these games. Even though you can use these games any time of year, these games make test prepping so much more engaging, fun, and it doesn’t feel like “test prep.”

So what are these games? I have 3 games to share with you that will get your students moving, learning, and engaged! All you need are a set of task cards!

Game 1: Scoot

I love Scoot because it’s individualized and allows for students movement. I think more and more of my students need breaks to move and this is perfect because it’s built right into the game! All you have to do is place your task cards around the room, one card at each table. Students will start off at one table, and answer the one question on their card. This is why I love this game because students only have to focus on one question at a time (so it’s not overwhelming!). I give my students anywhere from 30 – 60 seconds to answer each question (depending on the difficulty) then once time is up, everyone “scoots” over to the next question! The game continues until each student has answered each card!

Game 2: Justify It

Justify It allows your students more movement AND the ability to explain their reasoning. This game is best played if you use previously released test questions that come with multiple choice answers. You can also use task cards, but will need to create multiple choice answers.

Place a letter A, B, C (and D if you want) on each wall of your classroom. Share/read the question to your class. Your students will go stand over at their choice answer (either A, B, C, or D). You can choose particular students (or have every student) explain or “Justify” why they chose that particular answer. I love this because not only do you get to assess the student’s answer, but your other students are able to hear each other’s math thinking, which can be hugely powerful!

Game 3: Grudge Ball

Real talk…I LOVE LOVE LOVE Grudgeball. My students regularly beg me to play this game. You will need a set of task cards, a Nerf basket or trash can, and ball.

Break your class into 4-5 teams (with 3-5 players in each team). Draw 10 X’s on the board – these X’s represent the 10 lives each team begins with. Use your task cards as questions. On your turn, if you answer the question correctly, you may erase one X from another team. One member of the team can then shoot the ball into the basket. If you make it into the basket, you can erase another X from another team. If you miss, play continues to the next team.

Winner is the last team with the most “lives”

All teams must answer the question being asked (even if it’s not your turn) because you must be ready with the answer in case that team gets the answer wrong, the next team must be ready with an answer to “steal.”