The COVID 19 pandemic has left students with gaps in their learning. This has increased the need for students to go to summer school. Summer school is now in session in many school systems. How can you keep students engaged when they would rather be on their summer break? Here are a few suggestions that work with most any subject.
Digital/Online Games
Online games such as Gimkit, Blooket, Kahoot, and Quizlet Live can help students review in any subject. These games are good for vocabulary review in all subjects. The games are also good to use to review for math computation or math skills. The competitive nature of the games help motivate students to participate. As a teacher you are able to see commonly missed problems/vocabulary. This is a quick way to let you know what you need to review.
In Class Games/Activities
There are also games that can be played in class without technology. One example is to use an old a board game and substitute the questions with your own questions. You can use a favorite worksheet , task cards, or any set of questions you may have. A second example is to use common games like Tic Tac Toe or Hangman. You can have two groups compete and if they get the question correct, they can place the x or the y on the Tic Tac Toe board . You could play Hangman by having students guess a letter when they are correct. We have a free set of questions on two step equations that has a free board game and a free class game. These games work with any set of questions you can create or that you have. Here is a link to the product. Two-Step Equations Task Cards/Game Cards by Teacher Twins | TpT (teacherspayteachers.com)
Students also enjoy scavenger hunts, cut and paste activities, and task cards. Any activity where they can talk to each other or move around.
Student engagement in the summer school classroom is important. Playing different types of games and doing different activities can help break up lessons.
