Classroom Games Ideas for Middle school
1. Jeopardy
Overview: Jeopardy is a quiz game that mimics the popular TV show. It’s great for reviewing material before a test or reinforcing key concepts.
How to Run the Game:
- Preparation: Create a Jeopardy board using a PowerPoint template or an online tool. The board should have categories related to your lesson (e.g., Vocabulary, Historical Events, Scientific Concepts).
- Setup: Divide the class into teams. Each team will take turns choosing a category and point value (e.g., “Vocabulary for 200”).
- Gameplay: Read the question corresponding to the chosen category and point value. Teams discuss and provide their answer in the form of a question (e.g., “What is photosynthesis?”).
- Scoring: Award points for correct answers and deduct points for incorrect ones. Keep a running total for each team.
- Final Jeopardy: Have a final round where teams can wager points on a single, more challenging question.
Tips:
- Make sure questions vary in difficulty.
- Encourage all team members to participate in the discussion.
- Use a timer to keep the game moving and ensure fairness.
2. Kahoot!
Overview: Kahoot! is an online platform that allows you to create interactive quizzes. Students use their own devices to answer questions in real-time.
How to Run the Game:
- Preparation: Create a free account on Kahoot! and design a quiz with multiple-choice questions related to your lesson.
- Setup: Project the game on a screen and have students join using a game PIN on their devices.
- Gameplay: Students answer questions on their devices as they appear on the screen. The platform automatically tallies scores based on speed and accuracy.
- Scoring: Kahoot! displays a leaderboard after each question, adding an element of competition.
Tips:
- Include a mix of easy and challenging questions.
- Use images and videos to make questions more engaging.
- Discuss the answers after each question to reinforce learning.
3. Pictionary
Overview: Pictionary is a drawing game where students illustrate vocabulary words or concepts, and their teammates guess what they are drawing.
How to Run the Game:
- Preparation: Create a list of terms or concepts related to the lesson.
- Setup: Divide the class into teams. Provide each team with a whiteboard or large paper and markers.
- Gameplay: One student from a team draws a term from the list without using letters or numbers. Their teammates guess the term within a set time limit.
- Scoring: Award points for correct guesses. Rotate drawers so each student gets a chance to draw.
Tips:
- Encourage creativity and quick thinking.
- Use a timer to keep the game fast-paced.
- Rotate teams frequently to keep everyone engaged.
4. Charades
Overview: Charades involves acting out vocabulary words, historical events, or book characters without speaking, while teammates guess the answer.
How to Run the Game:
- Preparation: Write down terms or phrases related to the lesson on slips of paper.
- Setup: Divide the class into teams. Each team takes turns sending one student to act out a term.
- Gameplay: The actor picks a slip of paper and silently acts out the term while their teammates guess within a set time limit.
- Scoring: Award points for correct guesses. Rotate actors so everyone gets a turn.
Tips:
- Use terms that can be easily acted out.
- Set clear rules about no speaking or using props.
- Use a timer to keep the game moving.
5. Bingo
Overview: Bingo is a game where students mark off vocabulary words, historical events, or scientific terms on their bingo cards as they are called out.
How to Run the Game:
- Preparation: Create bingo cards with terms or concepts related to the lesson. Each card should be unique.
- Setup: Distribute the bingo cards and markers or chips to students.
- Gameplay: Call out terms randomly and have students mark them on their cards. The first student to complete a row, column, or diagonal shouts “Bingo!” and wins.
- Scoring: Verify the winner’s card and continue playing for multiple rounds if desired.
Tips:
- Ensure a variety of terms to keep the game challenging.
- Use visual aids or definitions when calling out terms to reinforce learning.
- Offer small prizes for winners to increase motivation.
6. Escape Room
Overview: An escape room is a series of puzzles and challenges that students must solve to “escape” a locked scenario within a set time limit. This game promotes critical thinking and teamwork.
How to Run the Game:
- Preparation: Create a storyline related to your lesson. Develop a series of puzzles, riddles, and clues that students must solve to progress. These could be questions, ciphers, or physical puzzles.
- Setup: Set up the classroom with different stations or areas where students can find clues and solve puzzles. Provide a timer to track the time limit.
- Gameplay: Divide the class into small groups. Each group starts at a different station and works through the puzzles. They must solve each puzzle to unlock the next clue.
- Scoring: The first group to solve all puzzles and “escape” wins. If time runs out, discuss the solutions with the class.
Tips:
- Make puzzles varied in difficulty and type.
- Provide hints if groups are struggling.
- Use thematic decorations to enhance the experience.
7. Scavenger Hunt
Overview: A scavenger hunt involves students searching for items or clues related to the lesson, fostering exploration and application of knowledge.
How to Run the Game:
- Preparation: Create a list of items or clues related to your lesson. These can be objects, pictures, or specific information in the classroom or school.
- Setup: Hide the items or clues around the classroom or designated area. Provide each student or team with a list of what they need to find.
- Gameplay: Students or teams search for the items on their list within a set time limit. Each item found must be brought back and checked off the list.
- Scoring: The first student or team to find all the items wins. Alternatively, score based on the number of items found within the time limit.
Tips:
- Ensure items are not too difficult to find.
- Use clues that require students to apply their knowledge.
- Consider using digital scavenger hunts for a tech-savvy twist.
8. Hot Seat
Overview: In Hot Seat, one student sits in the “hot seat” and answers rapid-fire questions from classmates, helping to review and reinforce learning.
How to Run the Game:
- Preparation: Prepare a list of questions related to the lesson. These can be factual, conceptual, or application-based.
- Setup: Place a chair at the front of the classroom as the “hot seat.” Select a student to sit in the hot seat.
- Gameplay: Classmates take turns asking the student in the hot seat questions from the list. The student must answer as many questions as possible within a set time limit.
- Scoring: Keep track of the number of correct answers. Rotate students so everyone gets a turn in the hot seat.
Tips:
- Encourage students to think quickly and confidently.
- Vary the difficulty of the questions.
- Use the game as a fun way to review before a test.
9. Quiz Bowl
Overview: Quiz Bowl is a team-based game where students answer rapid-fire questions on various topics, promoting quick thinking and teamwork.
How to Run the Game:
- Preparation: Prepare a list of questions covering different topics related to the lesson.
- Setup: Divide the class into teams. Assign a moderator to ask the questions and keep score.
- Gameplay: Teams take turns answering questions. If a team answers incorrectly, the other team gets a chance to answer.
- Scoring: Award points for correct answers. Keep a running total for each team. The team with the most points at the end wins.
Tips:
- Include a mix of easy and challenging questions.
- Encourage teamwork and discussion within teams.
- Use a buzzer system for added excitement.
10. Role-Playing
Overview: Role-playing involves students acting out scenarios or historical events, enhancing understanding and empathy.
How to Run the Game:
- Preparation: Choose scenarios or events related to your lesson. Create character roles and scripts or prompts for students to follow.
- Setup: Assign roles to students and provide any necessary props or costumes. Set the stage for the scenario.
- Gameplay: Students act out their roles according to the script or prompts. Encourage improvisation and creativity.
- Scoring: No formal scoring is needed, but you can provide feedback on participation and understanding.
Tips:
- Ensure students understand their roles and the context.
- Encourage respectful and accurate portrayals.
- Use role-playing to explore complex or sensitive topics in a controlled manner.
11. Four Corners
Overview: Four Corners is a movement-based game where students choose a corner of the room based on their answer to a question. It helps with quick decision-making and reinforces lesson concepts.
How to Run the Game:
- Preparation: Label the four corners of the room with different answers (e.g., A, B, C, D). Prepare a list of multiple-choice questions related to the lesson.
- Setup: Explain the rules to the students and ensure they understand the labeling of the corners.
- Gameplay: Read a question aloud and give students a few seconds to decide on their answer and move to the corresponding corner. Once all students have chosen, reveal the correct answer.
- Scoring: You can choose to keep track of how many correct answers each student gets or just play for fun.
Tips:
- Encourage students to move quickly to keep the game dynamic.
- Use this game as a quick review session or a brain break activity.
- Make sure the questions are varied in difficulty to challenge all students.
12. Word Search
Overview: Word Search involves finding vocabulary words hidden in a grid of letters, which can help reinforce spelling and recognition of key terms.
How to Run the Game:
- Preparation: Create a word search puzzle using an online generator, including vocabulary words or key terms from the lesson.
- Setup: Print and distribute the word search puzzles to students, along with highlighters or pencils.
- Gameplay: Students search for and highlight or circle the words hidden in the grid. Set a time limit to add a competitive element.
- Scoring: The first student to find all the words wins, or see who can find the most words within the time limit.
Tips:
- Ensure the word list is comprehensive and relevant to the current lesson.
- Use larger grids for more advanced students.
- Discuss the words found to reinforce their meanings and usage.
13. Crossword Puzzles
Overview: Crossword Puzzles are a classic game where students solve clues to fill in a grid with words, enhancing vocabulary and comprehension.
How to Run the Game:
- Preparation: Create a crossword puzzle using an online generator with clues related to the lesson content.
- Setup: Print and distribute the crossword puzzles and pencils to students.
- Gameplay: Students read the clues and fill in the crossword grid with the correct answers. Provide a time limit for added challenge.
- Scoring: The first student to complete the crossword correctly wins, or see who can complete the most within the time limit.
Tips:
- Ensure the clues are clear and the difficulty is appropriate for the students’ level.
- Use crosswords as a fun homework assignment or in-class activity.
- Review the answers as a class to reinforce learning.
14. Mystery Bag
Overview: Mystery Bag is an interactive game where students guess the contents of a bag based on clues, promoting critical thinking and sensory skills.
How to Run the Game:
- Preparation: Place items related to the lesson in a bag. These can be physical objects, flashcards, or small models.
- Setup: Explain the rules to the students and ensure they understand not to peek inside the bag.
- Gameplay: Students take turns feeling an item inside the bag without looking and try to guess what it is based on touch. They can ask yes/no questions if needed.
- Scoring: Award points for correct guesses. Rotate students so everyone gets a turn.
Tips:
- Use items that are relevant and safe for students to handle.
- Encourage students to describe the texture, shape, and other sensory details.
- Discuss each item after it is guessed to reinforce its relevance to the lesson.
15. Simon Says
Overview: Simon Says is a classic game that involves following commands, which can be adapted to include educational content.
How to Run the Game:
- Preparation: Prepare a list of commands that relate to the lesson, including actions or movements that reinforce learning (e.g., “Simon says point to the North on a map”).
- Setup: Explain the rules to the students: they must only follow commands that begin with “Simon says.”
- Gameplay: Start giving commands, mixing in ones that do and do not start with “Simon says.” Students who follow a command without “Simon says” are out.
- Scoring: The last student remaining wins the game.
Tips:
- Use commands that require students to demonstrate knowledge of the lesson (e.g., “Simon says act like a molecule in a solid state”).
- Keep the game lively and fast-paced to maintain engagement.
- Use this game as a quick and fun review or brain break.
16. Board Games
Overview: Using board games in the classroom can be a fun and engaging way to reinforce learning. You can use existing educational board games or create your own.
How to Run the Game:
- Preparation: Select or create a board game that aligns with your lesson. For example, use “Scrabble” for vocabulary building or create a custom trivia board game with questions related to your subject.
- Setup: Divide students into small groups and provide each group with a game board, pieces, and instructions.
- Gameplay: Explain the rules and let students play the game. Ensure the questions or tasks in the game are relevant to the lesson.
- Scoring: Follow the scoring rules of the board game. Encourage fair play and teamwork.
Tips:
- Rotate the games so students can experience different types.
- Customize existing games to fit your lesson.
- Use board games as a reward or incentive for good behavior or academic performance.
17. Minute to Win It
Overview: Minute to Win It games involve completing short, timed challenges, which can be adapted to include educational tasks.
How to Run the Game:
- Preparation: Create a list of one-minute challenges related to the lesson. These could be quick quizzes, puzzles, or physical tasks that involve lesson concepts.
- Setup: Gather necessary materials for each challenge and explain the rules to the students.
- Gameplay: Students attempt to complete the challenges within one minute. Rotate through different challenges to keep the game varied.
- Scoring: Award points for successful completion of each challenge. Keep a running total to determine the winner.
Tips:
- Use a timer to keep the game fair.
- Ensure the challenges are achievable but still challenging.
- Incorporate different types of challenges to engage all students.
18. Fishbowl
Overview: Fishbowl is a game where students describe or act out terms written on slips of paper, which can help reinforce vocabulary and key concepts.
How to Run the Game:
- Preparation: Write down terms or concepts related to the lesson on slips of paper and place them in a bowl.
- Setup: Divide the class into two teams and explain the rules: in each round, one student picks a slip and either describes or acts out the term for their team to guess.
- Gameplay: In the first round, students can describe the term without saying it. In the second round, they act it out without speaking. In the third round, they can use one word to describe it. Set a time limit for each turn.
- Scoring: Award points for each correct guess. The team with the most points at the end wins.
Tips:
- Ensure terms are familiar and relevant to the lesson.
- Encourage students to be creative and quick-thinking.
- Discuss the terms after each round to reinforce learning.
19. Flashcard Relay
Overview: Flashcard Relay is a team-based game where students use flashcards to review and reinforce key concepts quickly.
How to Run the Game:
- Preparation: Create flashcards with questions or terms on one side and answers or definitions on the other.
- Setup: Divide the class into teams and provide each team with a set of flashcards.
- Gameplay: Teams line up, and the first student in each line picks a flashcard and answers the question or defines the term. If correct, they move to the back of the line, and the next student goes. If incorrect, they stay until they get it right.
- Scoring: The first team to go through all their flashcards correctly wins.
Tips:
- Use flashcards that cover a range of topics from the lesson.
- Encourage teamwork and helping each other.
- Use this game as a quick review session.
20. Sentence Scramble
Overview: Sentence Scramble involves students working in teams to unscramble words to form correct sentences related to the lesson.
How to Run the Game:
- Preparation: Create sentences related to the lesson and scramble the words. Write each word on a separate slip of paper.
- Setup: Divide the class into teams and give each team a set of scrambled sentences.
- Gameplay: Teams work together to unscramble the words and form correct sentences. Set a time limit to add a sense of urgency.
- Scoring: The first team to correctly unscramble all their sentences wins. Alternatively, award points for each correct sentence.
Tips:
- Use sentences that reinforce key concepts or vocabulary from the lesson.
- Encourage teamwork and communication within teams.
- Discuss the correct sentences after the game to reinforce learning.
21. Debates
Overview: Debates are a structured way for students to argue different sides of a topic, promoting critical thinking, research skills, and public speaking.
How to Run the Game:
- Preparation: Choose a topic relevant to the lesson. Prepare debate guidelines and assign students to either the affirmative or negative side. Provide time for research and preparation.
- Setup: Arrange the classroom with a clear space for each team and a moderator’s area.
- Gameplay: The debate follows a structured format:
- Opening statements: Each side presents their main arguments.
- Rebuttals: Each side responds to the other team’s arguments.
- Closing statements: Each side summarizes their key points.
- Scoring: The moderator, or a panel of judges, evaluates each team’s performance based on argument strength, presentation, and teamwork.
Tips:
- Ensure topics are debatable and relevant to the lesson.
- Encourage respectful discourse and evidence-based arguments.
- Use debates as a way to explore complex issues in depth.
22. Memory Match
Overview: Memory Match is a game where students match pairs of cards, typically with terms and their definitions, which helps reinforce vocabulary and key concepts.
How to Run the Game:
- Preparation: Create pairs of cards, one with a term and the other with its definition or a related concept.
- Setup: Arrange the cards face down on a table. Divide the class into small groups.
- Gameplay: Students take turns flipping over two cards, trying to find matching pairs. If a match is found, the student keeps the pair and gets another turn. If not, the cards are flipped back over.
- Scoring: The game continues until all pairs are found. The student or team with the most pairs wins.
Tips:
- Use durable, easy-to-read cards.
- Ensure all terms are relevant to the lesson.
- Discuss each match found to reinforce understanding.
23. Hangman
Overview: Hangman is a classic word-guessing game where students guess letters to reveal a hidden word or phrase, promoting vocabulary skills and spelling.
How to Run the Game:
- Preparation: Choose a word or phrase related to the lesson. Write it on the board with blank spaces for each letter.
- Setup: Draw the basic hangman structure (e.g., a gallows).
- Gameplay: Students take turns guessing letters. Correct guesses are written in the appropriate spaces, while incorrect guesses add parts to the hangman drawing. The game continues until the word is guessed or the hangman is completed.
- Scoring: Play multiple rounds, keeping track of correct guesses or words completed.
Tips:
- Choose words that are challenging but appropriate for the students’ level.
- Encourage students to think strategically about common letters.
- Use the game as a fun way to review vocabulary.
24. Mad Libs
Overview: Mad Libs is a fill-in-the-blank game where students provide various parts of speech to complete a story, which can help reinforce grammar and creativity.
How to Run the Game:
- Preparation: Create or use pre-made Mad Libs templates related to the lesson’s content. Ensure there are blanks for different parts of speech (e.g., noun, verb, adjective).
- Setup: Distribute the templates to students or read them aloud as a class.
- Gameplay: Students provide words to fill in the blanks without knowing the full story. Once all blanks are filled, read the completed story aloud for humorous and educational results.
- Scoring: No formal scoring is needed, but you can give points for creativity or correct use of parts of speech.
Tips:
- Use themed stories that relate to the lesson.
- Encourage students to use a wide variety of words.
- Discuss the completed stories to reinforce the parts of speech used.
25. Jigsaw Puzzles
Overview: Jigsaw Puzzles can be created from maps, diagrams, or other relevant images to help students understand complex concepts through visual and hands-on learning.
How to Run the Game:
- Preparation: Choose an image relevant to the lesson (e.g., a map, diagram, or important scene). Cut the image into puzzle pieces.
- Setup: Divide the class into small groups and provide each group with a set of puzzle pieces.
- Gameplay: Students work together to assemble the puzzle. Set a time limit to add a sense of urgency.
- Scoring: The first group to complete the puzzle wins, or see which group can complete the most within the time limit.
Tips:
- Ensure the image is clear and the pieces are durable.
- Use puzzles to reinforce visual learning and teamwork.
- Discuss the completed image to highlight its relevance to the lesson.
Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]