Review Games: Battleship

Battleship is another old classic that is ideally suited for a whole class review session. The version of Battleship that I am using is a PowerPoint template that I found somewhere on the web. Unfortunately, despite searching, I can't find the original link and therefore can't give credit to the creator! You may download the template from my wiki.

The template provides the option, like Jeopardy, to type your questions onto individual slides. You can also read from old tests and have students listen and respond verbally. Typing the question into the template requires more preparation but eliminates the need for you to constantly repeat the questions to students who aren't paying attention, plus is a lot better for visual learners. 

After a team answers a question correctly they have the opportunity to "fire" on the other team by selecting a square on the Battleship slide. The square changes to an X to indicate a miss and an explosion symbol on a hit. 

The template is adequate but lacks a couple of features that would make it more enjoyable. First, it is impossible to change the locations of the ships. Theoretically, students can memorize the ship coordinates if you play this game more than once (if only they would spend as much energy studying for the test!!!). Secondly, this template is obviously dated and could use an upgrade in graphics- the current setup is very 1 dimensional. I have also noticed quite a bit of lag-time between the initial click on one of the squares to the appearance of the X or explosion symbol. The programing behind the template is weak. 

Despite these shortcomings this template is adequate, and is an easy review game to throw together 10 minutes before class starts. I typically divide my class into two teams and have each student attempt to answer a question. Get it right and you get to fire on the other team, get it wrong and the other team has an opportunity to answer the question correctly and fire on you. It's a big game board so you can go through a lot of questions!

This review game is ideally suited for an interactive whiteboard. I use my Wiiboard when I play this game. The students enjoy coming up to the screen and choosing a square to reveal. 

Review Games: Jeopardy

This is an old classic with a 21st century twist. Once again I am using the PowerPoint template created by Mark E. Damon. I've modified it slightly by using it in conjunction with my eInstruction CPS clicker system. You can have each student participate individually or group them into teams.

Today I split my classes up into groups of 3-4 students and gave each group a clicker. We then went through the entire Jeopardy board (20 questions today). I use questions from tests they took this semester. The clicker system keeps track of the team scores and after the time runs out for each question the correct answer is displayed on the screen. This provides an opportunity to talk about the question and why one answer is better than the rest. At the end of the game I show the scores and crown the Jeopardy champion! 

As far as review games go, Jeopardy requires a significant amount of work to set up. Before class I went through all of my old tests and transferred the questions onto the game board. Jeopardy isn't the game you want to use if you need something quick, but if you have time to plan ahead it's always a class favorite. 

Review Games: Hollywood Squares

As the end of the school year approaches, teachers will begin to prepare students for their final exams. If you're like me, that means playing review games! I am in my final week of teaching and have dedicated the next four days for review for my final exam which I will be giving on Monday, June 1. Each day I am playing a different review game with my students. 

Monday: Hollywood Squares

This PowerPoint Template by Mark E. Damon is simple and easy to use. Hollywood Squares (a glorified version of tick-tack-toe) is ideal for whole class review.  Here's how you play:

1. Print up two sets of numbers (You need as many numbers as students) on slips of paper (two different colors).
2. Pass out a number to each student (one color)
3. Draw out random numbers (the opposite color) to choose two contestants to play the game. Have the two contestants come to the front of the room. 
4. Prepare questions on slips of paper and place them in another jar. 
5. Draw out a random number and a question. The student with the corresponding number answers the question. The contestant then "agrees" or "disagrees" with their answer. If they get it right, they then place an X or an O on the game board. 
6. Continue until someone wins!

I like this game a lot because everyone is involved; no one zones out! Once all of the numbers are used, I put them back into the jar and we do it again! 

Tomorrow: Class Jeopardy!

First 100% Online Christian School

St. Mark's Academy is a brand new Christian middle and high school located on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. The opening of a new middle and high school is not very notable except that St. Mark's claims to be the very first of its kind. St. Mark's offers a 100% online, fully accredited, middle and high school curriculum.

I have been blogging about the pending change in education for some time now. I believe that online learning will become the dominant form of learning within 20 years. St. Mark's is certainly one of the first, if not the first, Christian school to offer a completely online program. There are many educational companies that offer online courses to augment the course catalogue of existing schools (Michigan Virtual University and Seven Star Academy to name two), but there aren't very many dedicated online schools. 

In exploring St. Mark's website, I was very impressed by the rich courses that are offered. St. Mark's offers every class you would expect to find in a middle or high school and many classes that you would only find at very prestigious and well funded schools such as AP courses and honors sections of core classes. 

Online learning continues to make strides. St. Mark's is positioned to be a leader in he coming educational shift.