Getting creative with topic revision

What do you do when getting students to revise for assessments? Are you often in survival mode and just point to the textbook, slide resources or online videos? There are a multitude of learning activities that help students to revise for tests actively that don't all require copious amounts of preparation. And better yet, they have increased student participation and engagement as they don't rely on the old "chalk and talk" method of revision.

Below are a list that I have used successfully in my classroom.

Packman

Remember the 80s computer game where the packman would run around a maze chomping fruit and avoiding the Ghosts? This activity is based on that concept. Start the game by allowing students to spread throughout the classroom. Ask questions related to the topic being studied, the first student to answer the question correctly gets to take one step. The aim of the game is to tag all other competitors out so that you are the last man standing. Three rules that I set are: hands up, no calling out; students need to take normal steps not leaps; and no leaning over furniture to tag.

Bingo

There are two ways to play this game. The first is student directed. Ask students to come up with a a list of key terms, concepts, equations etc and share on the whiteboard or a Google Doc. They then have to select nine of them and place them a Google Doc or Google Drawing Template. The Google Doc will need to be printed out and counters provided to students. The Google Drawing Template can be used digitally. The teacher or a volunteer student calls out questions based on the answers on the board. Any student who has the answer on their bingo board can put a counter on that square. The aim is to get three counters in a row either horizontally, vertically or diagonally. For an extra challenge the whole board has to be completed. My tip is to keep a tally of the questions asked so that you are not repeating answers and there is a fair chance for every student to win.

If teachers want to design the game boards, questions need to be designed prior to the lesson. If you are using the Drawing Template, you can add Gifs for added student interest.

Make up at least 30 questions that have diagram, picture or 1-4 word answers. Create a class set of 3x3 bingo cards with the answers (key terms, concepts, diagrams, examples etc.) on them. Allow the students to pick one card, and 9 counters each. Call out the questions and if the students have the answer, then they get to put a counter on that square. The aim is to get three squares in a row. Variants of the game include two lots of three in a row, or the whole sheet. Some students like to swap cards during the roads.

Create a Word Search

Create a template with a 10x10 grid. Students create a crossword with key terms from the chapter. They then must create questions for those terms. Photocopy and give to other students. (Can use online program like puzzlmaker.com). I have found with this task that you actually need to show students what a crossword looks like so they know the conventions when filling it out.

Trivia Wars

Divide students into two groups. Give them 20 minutes to come up with 10 or so questions from their books. The questions have to be ones that they think could be on the test (not ones like “on which page is the heart diagram”). They must write down the answers next to the questions. The teams then ask each other one question at a time. Points are awarded for correct answers, no points awarded to either team for incorrect answers.

Kahoot and Knowledgehook

These Apps/websites are a fantastic hook for students and a quick and easy way to reflect on learning covered in class. Kahoot has a ready made bank of quizzes already available but they should be looked at prior to using on a class as some are student-created. You can make your own quizzes based on multiple choice or puzzles which are saved into your personal account. 

Knowledgehook is a non-timed kahoot style website which is great for Mathematics classes. It uses the premises of Growth Mindset where learning is about deep thinking and not rushing through a question to be the fastest. 

Mind Mapping

Create and laminate large cards that contain key terms or concepts. Put blue-tack or magnets on the back. Divide the cards evenly around the class so that each student has at least two cards. Stick one card up on the whiteboard. The students then have the challenge of coming up and adding to the map if they have a related term. They must be able to link the two terms together in a written description using a whiteboard marker.

Flash Cards

I love flash cards! They are so versatile as a revision tool. Create cards that contain matching terms, definitions, diagrams, examples, pictures etc. Laminate, cut up and put into a plastic zip-lock bag. In groups students have to match up the two connecting cards. You could even modify this into a "memory" style game where the cards are face down and students need to remember the location of the matching terms and definitions.

Picturades/Sculpturades/Charades

Create three different coloured sets of cards that have key terms or concepts on them. Divide class into groups of around four students. Each group needs to have a pile of paper, pencil/pen, and a container of playdoh. Each round one volunteer comes up to look at a key term. Once all volunteers have looked at the term, they return back to their groups. They may only start to draw (picturades), act (charades) or mould/sculpture (sculpturades) the concept once everyone is back at their groups. No talking, grunting etc. is allowed. First group to answer correctly gets the point.

Noughts and Crosses

Divide the class into two (e.g. boys and girls) and assign a symbol (e.g. noughts, crosses, B, G). On the board draw a 3x3 grid with the numbers 1-9 listed in small print up the top. Decide which group goes first. Ask that group a question. If they answer correctly they get to choose which square to put their symbol in. If they answer incorrectly, the other team then has the opportunity to answer it. If they answer it correctly they get to put their symbol on the board, then also get their own turn at being asked a question. The aim of the game is to get three symbols in a row.

Catch the Question

This game can be commercially bought. A cheap version is to buy an inflatable ball or balloons. Divide into sections with questions written on it. Throw the ball around the room to a student. They have to answer the question that is under their left thumb.

Puzzle

Create 24 square cards (4 down, 6 across) and on each edge put a term/description/diagram. Ensure that each edge has a matching pair (e.g. term and description or description and diagram). You can make some edges easier by putting matching stickers on their pairs. Students have to match up the edges to create a 4x6 large square. Laminate so you can reuse. An example of a free puzzle on meiosis can be found here.

Do you have other active or hands-on revision tasks to share? If so, please feel free to add in the comments section.