Optimize Challenges For Reluctant Learners: 4 Steps To Bring Game Shows Into Your Classroom
Have you ever thought about bringing a game show into your classroom? There are so many good game show ideas for you to try
out. A game shows on can teach your students so many things. The content of a game show can include subjects like English Language
Art, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies; list can go on and on. Your students can learn the value of good sportsmanship and taking
turn. A game show can engage students in learning about the art of listening and responding to questions. You can follow the rules of
an existing game show or change them to suit your classroom. There are several benefits to adding a game show to a lesson you are
teaching. Stick around to learn more about the four steps to bring game shows into your classroom and three tips you can use right
now.
1. Build Game Show Interest
Setting up a game show in your classroom can be a fun way to tackling the same instructional content day in and day out. It can be as
easy as deciding what games you will use and how it will be introduced to your students. Gamifying your classroom, can provide your
students with an opportunity to show what they know. It can also build upon your students learning in a unique way that engages their
interest. Gamifying the classroom can bring a lesson or instruction to life. It may be fun to advertise the game show to your students to
build up anticipation. As the day approaches for your game show day, the more your students (yes, even the most reluctant student)
will become excited by the thought of showing their skills by volunteering to be a contestant on your game show.
2. Organizing The Game Show
Organizing a game show can be very simple. You need to first decide what content you want your students to learn and then you need
to decide what kind of game show you want your students to play. You may find that it is easiest to model a game show after one that
you have seen before. Then, you need to prepare for your game show by bringing in the necessary materials to recreate the game show.
This can include buzzers, a microphone, a timer, name badges, theme music, and much more. In addition to those items, you must
decide which of your students will be or if you will be the game show host. If you decide to go with one of your students be sure to
pick someone who is animated enought to keep your audience and contestants engaged yet can follow the duties of the game show
host, You may decide to run the game show over multiple days and select different game show hosts for each day. The possibilities are
endless.
3. Establish The Game Show Environment
You next have to set up the structure of your classroom game show. If you decide to play a traditional game this step may not be
necessary and can quite actually save you time. If that is the case you can just explain the game show rules to your students and you
can jump right in or better yet show them a YouTube video of the game show and get started. If you want to change things you need to
decide on the logistics of how your game show will run. You need to decide how you students will play the game. Will one student
play at a time or will groups of students play as a team. You also need to think about the kind of rules you are going to incorporate into
the game show. Finally, you need to decide how many opportunities will each of the students have to answer the questions. And if you
are going to keep score, how will a winner of the game show be determined. All of these little elements of the game show will have
to be explained to your students to ensure that they all have a fair shot at playing and winning the game show.
4. Engage Students In The Game Show
Yaman and Covington (2007) state, “hundreds of instructors have shown that when learners play game shows their energy
level surges, they pay attention, and they remember more of the instructional content” (p. 1). There are many types of
features used in a game show that can be brought into your classroom. Think about what you want students to know. The best
way to engage students in a game show is to make it fun and interactive, Your students will love showcasing the skills or knowledge
they learned from your classroom content. A game show does not have to be boring. There are many creative ways you can ask your
students questions about what they learned. The most important part about a game show is to maintain the interest for your students.
Bring in timers to create the excitement of answering questions. Playing music as you give your contestants time to answer questions
or “come on down” as you call their name to be the next contestant. Having some of your students act as the audience by cheering on
the contestants can elevate your game show vibe. Transform your classroom into a game show studio by put up signs, and rearranging
your furniture to look like a game show contestant’s row. Give your students game show badges, display or showcase prizes, and use
your technology as much as possible to enhance the experience. A microphone, a spinning wheel, rolling dice on a screen, or your
game show host wear a loud blazer or coat can bring your game to life. Whatever you do, your game show should be over the top, The
key is for all of your students to just have a good time while learning the content you are teaching or have taught.
Final Thoughts
There are so many games shows that can be introduced to students. You just have to decide how you are going to gamify your
classroom for your students. Bring a game show into the classroom can change learning. A game show can challenge your students’
knowledge of the content. It can provide engagement that is uniquely tailored to your student’s needs. When you decide to bring a
game show into your classroom, there are many things you can do. Or you can just take an existing game and follow the rules of the
game to save yourself time. When getting ready to introduce a game show to your students just remember to build interest, get
organization, establish the environment, and most importantly engage your students. Have fun with transforming your classroom into a
game show environment where you can do as much and as little as you want to. Game shows have a lot to offer to your students’
learning. So be sure to add a few game shows to your teaching toolkit every once in a while to get away from the traditional same old
teaching and learning taking place. Games shows can give even your most reluctant student something to remember the content you
are teaching or have taught in a creative way so be open to bring a game show vibe to your classroom.
Here Are Three Tips To Keep In Mind:
· Keep it Interactive – Encourage ongoing engagement by incorporating interactive elements into your game show activities through technology, physical props, or group discussions.
· Reflect and Adapt – Take the time to reflect on the effectiveness of your game show approach in the classroom and solicit feedback from your students to understand what worked well and what could be improved.
· Celebrate Achievements – Recognize and celebrate the achievements of your students during game show activities through verbal praise, certificates, or small rewards.