Explore 14 Mesopotamia review games designed by a teacher to engage students and reinforce curriculum. When students are having fun, they forget they are reviewing, making games a great way to practice Social Studies.

• The BIG TERRIBLE Game keeps the whole class involved as up to eight teams answer together and watch their scores swing above and below zero.
• In FRAZZLED, teams answer questions to uncover mystery points, but one wrong answer or unlucky bomb can completely change the game.
• In BUMP, correct answers earn students shots at the platform, where they can score even more points by bumping off opposing teams.
• In GRUDGEBALL, teams answer questions to fire on their opponents’ ships, then make baskets to earn even more shots.
• In The TERRIBLE Game, teams answer questions to reveal mystery scores, then decide who gets the points as everyone battles to finish closest to zero.
• Get students moving with SCOOT, where they travel from desk to desk answering task cards and recording their answers along the way.
• TRASHKETBALL™ gets teams racing to answer correctly, then rewards them with shots at the trash can to score points.

When it’s time to review, a little competition can go a long way toward getting students focused, participating, and having fun. Once the game starts, students start talking, thinking, and working together, with hands shooting up and everyone waiting to see what happens next. When games become a regular part of review, students quickly learn that knowing the material gives them an advantage, and they start showing up ready to compete.

Games may feel like fun to students, but research shows they can be serious learning tools, with measurable benefits for achievement, retention, and engagement. See the research.