Are you looking for fun science review games? Do you make your own? Have you heard about Trashketball? I LOVE Trashketball. It’s such a fun way to review science. My students love it too. I’m only sorry I didn’t learn about it sooner.
Trashketball is a simple, fun way to review any topic. It’s particularly effective because the students don’t know they’re reviewing; they’re having so much fun.
So how does it work? You create a quiz on the topic you want to review e.g. the Periodic Table. You can have as many questions as you like, I usually go for 30 as it gives me wriggle room. You don’t have to play it all in one class either you could break it into smaller sections to suit and play it over multiple days.
How to play Trashketball.
Trashketball is a fun science review game where students / teams who answer a question correctly get a point and also get a chance to throw a paper ball into the trashcan for bonus points. It is an engaging and enjoyable learning experience while reinforcing educational content. Great when used as a review game before exams or as a quick, interactive activity during class.
All you need are a trashcan and balls of paper. It is a simple fun way to review and a great way to incorporate an interactive engagement activity with rigorous learning.
Here’s how I play Trashketball.
Divide the class into groups of 4 or less. You can make random groups or let them decide. Get them to come up with a team name. Each group will have a captain (they love this part, so you can rotate the captain to keep everyone happy). Each group gets a record sheet to write their answers and the group members’ names.
Present the PowerPoint/Google slides onto the whiteboard and explain the rules e.g. correct answer = 1 point + a chance to get a bonus point by throwing the paper ball into the trashcan. I let teams who didn’t get a correct answer also get a chance to throw the ball but from further away. You can edit these rules to suit your own needs.
You can decide whether to time each question; it’s up to you. I don’t and just gauge when everyone is ready.
Once the time is up, get them to show their answer sheet first and then you show the answer slide. This prevents any last-minute alterations.
Some teachers buy a small soft basketball and hoop, but it doesn’t matter; the students love the game any way you play it.
I keep scores on the whiteboard, this encourages competitiveness (not that they need much encouragement).
- Active Learning
- Check For Understanding
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Reinforcement of Concepts
- Motivation and Engagement
- Differentiated Instruction
- Review and Test Preparation
- Positive Classroom Environment
- Customization
- I have Trashketball Review Games on sale in my store, ready to play. Take a look.