Game Based Learning Resources for Middle School Classrooms
Game based learning is an easy way to engage students and promote collaboration. Incorporating games into the classroom addresses the core competency âCommunicationâ and helps build positive class culture. On this webpage you will find a variety of learning games for middle school classrooms. They are organised based on subject area.
If you have any questions about any of the games please feel free to reach out to Sasha Trickey at sashatrickey@uvic.ca.
CROSS-CURICULAR
Sasha Trickey- Amazing Race Game
I created this game inspired by the show The Amazing Race! Linked is the Canva template which includes the instructions. The game takes teams of students around their school solving questions and working as a team. This game can be used for any grade and once the template is downloaded any teacher can customize it.
Jeopardy Labs- Jeopardy Review Game
Jeopardy is a great game for middle school classes. Using the template on JepordyLabs.com, teachers can use it as a quick, easy, and fun review game.
Kahoot/Blooket
Most teachers are aware of Kahoot but I just recently found out about Blooket. Both platforms are easy to use and are great for creating games to formatively assess a whole class at the same time, plus students love it!
SCIENCE
PBS- Nova Labs https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/nvev-sci-evolab/nova-evolution-lab-game/
Through this web browser game, students learn how evolution occurs and how systems of life are connected and interwoven. The game itself includes videos and interactive elements. The end result is a tree that demonstrates how life is connected. The game has multiple means of representation and is accessible to students of a variety of learning needs.
SOCIALS
Interact- Empires: Civilization Simulation
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ICAYQYR2Fn1dHDzzYBwtw9CO48BptvaO/view?usp=sharing
The âEmpires: Civilization Simulationâ is a unit-length game that has the students work collaboratively in a group to successfully build their empire in the Fertile Crescent during the time of the ancient world. The game has many layers and is built to be integrated into everyday life. Students must use problem-solving skills to make sure that they have enough food for their citizens and must adapt to their environment. Students must also work as a team to strategize how to build, maintain, and use their armies. The game teaches about how the ancient world came to be and how the environment and other civilizations affected the growth of the first civilizations. This game touches on all four big ideas in the grade 7 social studies curriculum.
MATH
Multiplication Bump
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dgke8Wo-1rPx4NKQghSjFYJJBij_uG3l/view?usp=sharing
Multiplication bump is an easy game for students who are still mastering their multiplication facts. It is a partner game that is easy to follow along with. Besides a game sheet, each pair will need two dice (the more sides the dice has the more challenging the game becomes) and a stack of counters to mark their spots.
ENGLISH
Grammar Auction
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CFBmk1ssrq_iYbTooTE-Qo4PfF-mMD5m/view?usp=sharing
Grammar Action is a great game for working on studentsâ grammar. Teams work together to fix sentences and buy the correct sentences. This game focuses on collaboration and quick thinking. The game can be adapted based on the classâs strengths and weaknesses around grammar. If in a pinch, an AI tool can help teachers come up with sentences.
FRENCH
Loup Garou (Werewolf)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tROOL2P2wic3WnQebTPWTfmZ7iwDLj41/view?usp=sharing
Loup Garou is a french spin on the game Werewolf. To play this with middle school classes the teacher will be the moderator and control the storyline of the game. When creating the story, teachers can use french vocab and include verb conjugations that the class is working on.
For a quick and easy explanation check out this video:
VISUAL ARTS
The Art of Education- Paint Mixing Game
Mixing colours and colour theory is an important review for middle school students before they begin to learn more complex art skills. This game is easy to set up and requires minimal cleanup (for a project that uses paint). Students work in teams to collaboratively match their colour to the paint chip given. If the teacher is in a time pinch, hardware store paint chips would work great as the reference cards.
CAREER EDUCATION
Financial Times- The Uber Game
This online game is a simulation of what it would be like to be an uber driver. This game teaches students to think critically about financial decisions and cost vs reward decisions. It also teaches budgeting and what the âgig economyâ is.