How to Use Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? in Your Classroom for Review

Are your students just plain sick of playing Jeopardy to review for their test? Need a new way for students to study as a group? Preparing for state tests? You could hand out a mind-numbing packet, or you could play this version of the TV show, "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?" I'm willing to bet this game will bring more success and smiling faces than any packet!

I used an adapted version of the popular TV game show with a group of fifth grade students in an inner city school district. We had just finished a three-week unit on Rocks and Minerals. They loved playing, everyone was involved in the review, and test scores were generally improved.

Here's what you need to play:

Two groups of students (at least three in each group)
A set of review questions divided into at least two categories
Two sets of three cards labeled copy, peek, and save

How do you like that for a supply list? Basically, all you need are the students and your review questions! But, if you want to make it really fun, you could add the following:

A class set of whiteboards, dry erase markers, and erasers/felt pieces (see my article on how to get a class set of whiteboards for under twenty dollars)
A sign with the name of the game and the categories of questions

If you haven't seen the TV show, here is a quick summary. Jeff Foxworthy is the host. Contestants take their place on the stage among a class of five or six students. The player answers questions typically given on elementary tests.

The audience rips apart the contestant with their laughter as we realize most of adult America does not have as much trivial knowledge as elementary students.

The player can copy or peek from the students on stage with him or her. Or, if all of the "help cards" have been used, a player can be saved if the elementary students get the answer correct when he or she does not.

Here is how the classroom version may be played. Because I was playing with fifth graders, I called it, "Are You As Smart As A Fifth Grader?" The game can be used in any grade for any subject.

I played a version which included a lot of classroom management because of the needs of the students I was working with. You may adapt the game as needed for your own group.

Classroom setup: Divide the desks into two groups facing front. Put two desks, one per team, at the front of the room facing the other desks, these are the "hot seats". If you made a sign, hang it behind the hot seats. Place three cards on each hot seat: copy, peek, and save.

Announce the rules to the class.

Rules (shortened review type version): Two on task team players are chosen for the hot seat, one from each team. One team hot seat player chooses a category. All students answer the given question. For two points, the hot seat player must answer the question correctly. For one point, they may use a help card. Help cards can only be used once each. Points are deducted for inappropriate behavior and/or doodling on the white boards. The team with the most points at the end wins. Hot seat players change every two questions.

Rules (expanded for new players): The student in the hot seat chooses a category. The teacher or leader reads the question in that category. Every student will answer the question on his or her whiteboard. To indicate when they are ready, students should hold their whiteboard facing their chest so as not to reveal their answer.

The points will be awarded only depending on the answer of the person sitting in the hot seat, but everyone answers the question.

Two points are awarded if the student in the hot seat answers correctly, one point if they use a help card. Deduct points for inappropriate team sportsmanship and doodling on the white board. Outline expectations while explaining rules.

After everyone has had a chance to answer the question, the person in the hot seat can decide if they need to use a help card for half the original point value. They may choose either to copy or peek.

To copy is to take the majority answer of their classmates. If a student in the hot seat makes this choice, the teacher must quickly go around and get an idea of the majority answer of that team. Or, if you are lucky enough to have a classroom volunteer or assistant, ask them to walk around during the game to get an idea of majority answers and behavior.

If the student in the hot seat chooses to peak, they may pick a teammate whose answer they would like to peek at. They may subsequently change their answer or not.

For using either help, they receive only one point. Help cards may only be used once per game.

If the hot seat contestant gets the question incorrect, they may still receive one point if the majority of their team answered correctly, this is the save option.

Switch the person in the hot seat every two questions. Let students know you are choosing hot seat contestants based on appropriate team behavior. Only choose students acting appropriately. Also, I would recommend only choosing volunteers. In this game, being in the hot seat is being under pressure. The great thing about this game is all students are participating even if they are not in the hot seat.

The team with the most points wins!

You will probably have to talk students through the first game to help them understand the rules, but don't worry! My students had the hang of the game within two or three questions.

Here is one example of an exchange which might happen during a game of "Are You As Smart As A Fifth Grader?"

Teacher: Ok Joe, since the opposite team chose the category during the last round, it's your turn to pick a category. Would you like rocks or minerals?

Joe: I will take rocks please.

Teacher: Rocks! Great choice. Here is a hard question. What types of rocks are made from cooled and hardened lava? (Walk around the classroom observing what classmates are recording and repeat question.) Hold your boards up to show me when you are ready. OK. Everyone is holding their boards up. Joe, do you need to use a help card?

Joe: No, I think I know this one!

Teacher: Great! Ann, do you need to use a help card?

Ann: Yes. I am not really sure if my answer is right. Can I use the copy card?

Teacher: Sure. Lets see. Hot seat contestants, hold up your white boards! Joe, you said igneous, Ann, you said metamorphic. But, the majority of your teammates answered igneous. Igneous is��"šï¿½ï¿½CORRECT!

(Students clap and let out sigh of relief.)

Teacher: I will award two points to Joe, team one, and one point too Ann, team two, because she used a help card. That was a difficult question. Great round. Now I will choose two more students for the hot seat. Let me see who has been a really great team player. Anna and Billy!

Students really have fun with this game. It is new and different. The rules are made so everyone is involved, and students with good behavior and sportsmanship are rewarded. Have fun in your crazy classroom!

For more classroom ideas to stimulate any learner, see my other Crazy Classroom articles. Who needs a quiet classroom when your students are having fun learning in a crazy classroom?

Adapted from the television game show, "Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?"