Homework Help

Lesson 2: Help for Teachers

More Review Games

Question Cards

Here is a quick review game that the whole class can play.

Prior to play, prepare index cards as follows. You will need the same number of cards as students in the class.

1. On the top of a 4"x6" index card write a question relating to a topic being studied.

2. On the bottom of a different card, write the answer to the question. Continue to write questions and answers on all cards, being sure that the question and answer on any given card don't match.

To play: Pass out the cards to the class. Choose one student to read his question. The student who has the answer to that question should read it aloud and then read the question on his card. The student who has that answer should read it, and then read her question. Have students continue reading questions and answers in this manner until all cards have been shared.

Review Lottery

Here is a review activity that will give students an extra incentive to study and learn important material.

From time to time, conduct a review lottery as follows:
Begin by giving each student several small slips of paper. Have students write their names on each piece. Conduct a review of material from a recently studied lesson or unit by asking students review questions at random. Each time a student answers correctly, have him put one name slip into the "Lottery Jar" hat, bag, basket, etc.)

Continue until all material has been reviewed.

At the end of the review, use the slips in the jar to conduct a lottery. Choose several names from the jar at random, and reward those students with small incentives such as stickers, pencils, or homework passes. The names in the jar may also be used during the week for choosing students for classroom jobs or special privileges such as line leader.

Tic Tac Toe Review

Here is a fun way for the whole class to review previously studied concepts.

Prior to play, write review questions on the fronts of 20-25 5"x8" index cards. On the back of each card assign a point value for the question. Points can be assigned completely at random, or can take into account the difficulty of each question. Keeping the point values close (1,2, or 3 points) will make for a more exciting game, but throw in one or two higher point questions to add to the fun.

Attach the cards to the chalkboard in a 4x5 or 5x5 array with the question sides facing the students. Divide the class into two teams. Have students take turns coming to the board, selecting a question, reading it to the class, and answering it. If the student answers correctly, award his team the number of points on the back of the card. If the student answers incorrectly, the card remains on the board for another student to try. Continue play until all cards have been used. The team with the most points wins.

To play a variation on this game, assign points by the difficulty of the questions. Display the cards on the chalkboard with the number of points showing. Have students play as described above, but selecting the number of points they wish to try for. Incorrectly answered questions are removed from the board, and neither team gets those points.

Riddles

Riddles is a great way to review Science of Social Studies facts.

Famous people, places, events, or animals work well for this game.

Prior to play, assign each student the name of one item to be reviewed. Have students write short riddles based on facts about their topics.

For example - Topic: Plymouth, Massachusetts.
Riddle:
I am located in the northeast.
I am famous for my rock.
I was the place where the Pilgrims settled.
Where am I?

Have each student write her riddle on the front of an index card, and the answer on the back. Collect all cards.

Use riddle cards for review in a variety of ways. Hold a whole class "bee" using the riddles as questions. Have pairs of students quiz each other using the class set of cards. Let individual students review using the riddles when they have completed other work. Number the cards and allow students to record their answers without looking on the back for an impromptu quiz.