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
Advertisement
Prepare a leaflet
encouraging the English or other Europeans to settle in the
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
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
List of Top Three. Top Five. or Top Ten
This activity is patterned
after the David Letterman Show. Top three reasons why the
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
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
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,