3 Best revision activities for the end of year
Heading towards Summer break wondering how to review content but also keep students engaged? I’ve got you covered with my 3 favourite revision activities for middle school and high school students!
The end of the year, or even just the end of the term, can be relentless. Trying to keep students engaged when they are tired and as ready for a holiday as you are, can feel like a losing battle.
In all honesty, one of my biggest tips to make it through the end of the year is to spare yourself and spend a few dollars on some low prep resources. This is how I made it through the end of the year before I had built up a collection of my own resources. When you are exhausted and close to burnout, it is honestly worth the few dollars here and there to give you a lesson off prepping and getting something that students will love. And remember, these can be re-used every year!
But don’t worry. If you aren’t willing to spend any money I’ve got some freebies and templates in this blog post for you too!
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What should you look for in revision activities?
So before we get to the good stuff, what is it that you should look for when selecting revision activities?
You want to ensure that:
- It covers key concepts and vocabulary
- It engages students
- Promotes collaboration
- Easy for you to prepare/mark
- Students will feel a sense of accomplishment and achievement
- All students can access it or it provides differentiation options
When you read a list like this it is obviously difficult to find resources that tick ALL of the above boxes. But I have some suggestions here that do!
Best revision activities for middle school and high school students.
3 best revision activities for the end of the year
Here are my 3 favourite revision activities that your students will love!
1. Digital escape rooms
Digital escape rooms are my all-time favourite revision activity for maximum student engagement.
What is it?
A digital escape room is an online challenge in which students need to solve various tasks or puzzles in order to reveal the ‘key’ or ‘passcode’ to get to the next challenge. Once all challenges have been solved students have ‘escaped’.
Why do I love them?
- It is a fun and engaging way for students to review content.
- It builds student skills in problem-solving, critical thinking and collaboration.
- It can be used in a wide range of environments including in the classroom, online learning, homeschooling and distance education.
How can you differentiate it?
The content included in digital escape rooms can’t be easily differentiated. However, you can still ensure it is accessible for all students in the classroom by choosing appropriate groups / pairs, and by the support you offer.
Get more info
See my full blog post on what digital escape rooms are, how they work, and why they are an awesome addition to your classroom.
Freebie
Grab a free taster digital escape room on scientific method & lab equipment here.
Purchase
Visit this link to see examples of my own digital escape rooms.
2. Printable Board Games
Printable board games are also a favourite as they are naturally highly engaging.
What is it?
A printable board game is exactly what it sounds like! A board game, cards and instructions that you print to use in your classroom.
Why do I love them?
I used to get so frustrated when I would finally find a cool science board game I could use in class, but then didn’t have the budget to purchase 8 sets so my entire class could play.
With a printable board game, you can print as many copies as you need so your whole class can play at the same time! All you need to do is grab some dice and something as game pieces (like counters or even just little bits of coloured paper).
Get more info
Read my full blog post on how to create your own printable board game.
Freebie
Its easy to make your own! Grab a free template to make your own here. Then put together your question cards. Want a quick way to come up with questions? Have each student write two questions (with the answer) as an exit slip for a lesson. Then use these to make up the game board quiz cards.
Purchase
If you want to see examples of mine or purchase one for your classroom, follow this link. Did you know my printable board games come with multiple differentiation options?
Best revision activities for middle school and high school
3. Tarsia Puzzles
These print and go activities are great for reviewing key vocabulary and concepts.
What is it?
The idea is that students match the two sides together so the statement, or the key term and definition match. If you have a glossary of key terms then this is super easy to convert into a tarsia puzzle. Just grab my free template below and substitute your terms and definitions into the corresponding text boxes.
Tarsia puzzles
- increase engagement
- promote collaboration
- can be completed individually or in pairs
- are great for reviewing key terms
- are hands-on
- are easy to differentiate
- create a great set of study notes once complete
Freebie
Grab a free template to make your own here.
Purchase
Purchase some of my ready to go tarsia puzzles (with differentiation options) here.
Best revision activities for middle school and high school
Conclusion
Revision activities at the end of term or year do not have to be boring. Digital escape rooms, board games, tarsia puzzles and quizzes are fun ways to engage students and keep learning at the same time.
Please comment below with your favourite revision activities for middle school and high school!
Best revision activities for middle school and high school
Written by Katrina
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Definitely, what a great blog and revealing posts, I definitely will bookmark your site. Best Regards!
Thank you ever so for you blog. Really looking forward to read more.
Greetings! Very useful advice within this post!
It is the little changes which will make the biggest changes.
Thanks for sharing!