One of the best ways that a team of teachers in a middle school in rural Ohio prepared for the state achievement tests was to create a grade level competition centered on the Olympic games. The teachers created academic games to test the content areas. Teachers in any school can replicate this idea.
Organize Students
Teachers place students in groups of around 30. Each group has a mix of high, middle and low-level students, and each group of 30 is given a country name and flag.
In each country, there are six teams of around five students. From this smaller group, each person becomes an expert "athlete" in one of the following areas: math, language arts, science, social studies and test taking strategies. This group of six students travels around to different rooms where the games are held. Each "athlete" takes a turn competing in the expert area.
Students meet with their country at the beginning of the day. Each student receives a schedule for the day and nametag. On the nametag, students write their name, country and small group designation. They go to an "Opening Ceremonies" assembly where the rules are explained, and the Olympic spirit is encouraged.
To make the opening ceremonies like the real Olympics, teachers can use a battery powered torch and music. This can be a great way to integrate the arts. The band and/or choir can perform, and the art department can decorate the assembly hall.
Organize the Teachers
Depending on the size of the grade, there can be one to as many as needed of the five competition areas: math, language arts, science, social studies and test taking strategies. The school in Ohio had two rooms set up for each content area. Each student goes to five separate games during the day; however, each student should only compete once. Each game can last a class period.
Each content area needs to select a "game" for competition. For example, language arts could play a Millionaire type game, social studies could play a $100,000 Pyramid game, science could play a Jeopardy type game, Math could play a Deal or No Deal type game and test taking strategies could play a Wheel of Fortune type game. Any game that asks achievement like questions will work. After each round, the first, second and third place finishers receive a colored star to place on a nametag. The country receives points for the top three places.
Reward Achievement and Cheer on Hard Work
At the end of the day, a closing ceremony should be held so that students know what country won the most events. Medals should be given out, and students should be encouraged to work hard on the upcoming tests.
In keeping with the Olympic theme, the band can play, the principal can give a speech, and the medals are given out. The cheerleaders can even give out a spirit award to the most spirited country. At the end, the torch should be extinguished.
Students have a great deal of fun, enjoy the competition, review for the upcoming achievement tests and cherish their stars for individual achievement and medals for group achievement.
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