World History Strategies & Review Games

 

A to Z List

 

Prepare an A to Z list on any subject. An example, "B is for Boxer Rebellion that tried to drive out foreigners and missionaries from China."

 

Advertisement

 

Prepare a leaflet encouraging the English or other Europeans to settle in the New World. Another option is to prepare a radio advertisement on cassette (30 seconds) or newspaper advertisement for an absolute monarch‑‑call 1‑800‑lam King.

 

Brochure/Pamphlet

 

Design a brochure or pamphlet on a topic such as the "Age of Reason" or "Aspects of Egyptian Life." Provide categories for students. Students would write brief descriptions and include illustrations.

 

Button

 

Make a button supporting the ideology of the reactionary, conservative, or liberal during the Age of Metternich.

 

Billboard/License Plate

 

Create a billboard or license plate either in support of or in opposition to German or Italian unification.

 

Cartoon

 

Make a cartoon that either shows the positive or negative effects of industrialization. Students could also complete a cartoon or add the dialogue.

 

Commemorative Fan

 

Design a fan to commemorate the opening of the SueZ Canal or the completion of the Eiffel Tower. Ice cream sticks or tongue depressors are necessary.

 

Coat of Arms

 

Create a coat of arms (or shield) on a decade such as the 1960s, 1980s, or a period such as the Reformation.

 

Dictionary/Encyclopedia

 

Make a dictionary or encyclopedia with terms, events, personalities, or places on a period such as the Age of Enlightenment.

 

Dress for Success

 

Color or dress a personality like Julius Caesar or Augustus Caesar. Write five interesting facts about the personality.

 

"Here's A Story"

 

Compose a song to the tune of The Brady Bunch on a subject such as the French Revolution or the Cold War. Performance is an option.

 

Huddle

 

Select an issue such as Parliament's taxation of its American colonies. Students would huddle either on the side that supported taxation or opposed taxation and brainstorm arguments to justify conviction. Could be used for surveys.

 

Incomplete Sentence

 

Complete the sentence "history is" with one word or a few words. Students share with the class and should be ready to justify completion. Makes an instant bulletin board. Another approach is "When I hear the term Middle Ages, I think of."

 

Interview

 

Compose three to five questions to ask a person from a period in history. Provide written responses for the questions. A possible example would be Gorbachev and the changes he brought to the Soviet Union. A soldier on the western front (in the trenches) could be another choice.

 

List of Top Three. Top Five. or Top Ten

 

This activity is patterned after the David Letterman Show. Top three reasons why the United States entered World War I. Top five contributions from the Greeks. Top ten inventions in the 20th century.

 

Memo/Message/Telegram/E-mail

 

Send a memo, message, telegram, or e‑mail to someone about a certain topic such as words of encouragement from Napoleon to his soldiers in Russia or to Czar Nicholas 11 asking for reforms in Russia.

 

Mr./Ms

Take a paper doll figure and draw him/her a face and dress in fashions of that period. Have students select five statements to complete. An example could be Mr./Ms. Missionary or Mr./Ms. Reformer.

 

Museum

 

Plan an exhibit for a local museum. Select ten items that you would display in the exhibit on the Renaissance or ancient Mesopotamia.

 

Newspaper

 

Make a front‑page edition of a newspaper on a given period or topic such as World War 11. Provide possible headlines to choose from.

 

Nomination Form

 

Unlimited nomination forms such as "The Pen is Mightier than the Sword Award," "Golden Explorer Award," "Hero of the Decade," or "Villain of the Decade." Be creative.

 

Obituary/Memorial

 

This is similar to format found in the obituary section of the newspaper. Another option is to design a memorial for someone like Alexander the Great.

 

Point/Counterpoint

 

Brainstorm opposing arguments on the statement, "Truman was justified in using the atom bomb." fist on the marker board. Another approach is to take two opposing viewpoints such as Adam Smith on capitalism and Karl Marx on communism and brainstorm arguments.

 

Poster/Sign/Leaflet

 

Design a poster, sign, or leaflet that workers might have prepared encouraging fellow workers to join a union.

 

Proclamation

 

Choose a personality like Winston Churchill to prepare a proclamation for “Winston Churchill Day.” Remember that a proclamation would contain only possible points and/or accomplishments of the person.

 

Resume

 

Prepare a resume on an individual such as Bismarck, Hannibal, Martin Luther, or Nelson Mandela.

 

 

Storybook

 

Select a topic such as the Hundred Years War. Provide students with a sentence to complete. Students would write a page for the storybook. Include some possible questions that students should consider as part of their page.

 

Timeline

 

Take a 5 x 8 index card. On one side list an event such as the Cuban missile crisis. Include an illustration. On the other side, write a brief description of that event. Students share events of the Cold War with the class, All cards are then connected to form a hanging ladder.

 

 

Review Games

Bingo

Board of Fortune

Bring in the Answer

Fill in the Hoop

Jeopardy

Swat the Answer

Tick-Tack-Toe

Who Wants to Make an A

 

Paul. L. Lucas,

Laney High School