Making Remembering Fun!

Once again I'll go over what God has done, lay out on the table the ancient wonders; I'll ponder all the things You've accomplished, and give a long, loving look at Your acts. Psalm 77:11 The Message

 We all learn best through review, don't we? Whether in a classroom setting or around the kitchen table, remembering and reviewing what's been said before, can be boring to those who already know it and frustrating to those who have long forgotten.  Games, however, are great tools for making review more fun than tedious -- and here's a NEW twist on an OLD favorite that will capture the minds and hearts of all involved (including you, the teacher).

Tic-Tac-Toe-- a game that all children (over the age of 6) know, right? No need to take time on explaining how to play it....you can get right to playing it-- how great is that?  Traditional Tic-Tac- Toe has a limited strategy, however, and once you're old enough to know the power of that center square, the challenge diminishes.  We want kids listening, thinking and being engaged throughout the whole game (so all the review points can be covered), right?


Team O is hoping there's an O underneath...

Not this time!

"This I Know- Tic-Tac-Toe" has a hidden twist:  the Xs and Os and where they are placed has already been decided by YOU. You have already placed the Xs and Os in winning spots... but just not visible to the players.

 The first person/team gets to choose the first question and when answered correctly, is either an X or an O, depending on what is underneath that question square.  The other team is assigned the other marker.... and thus the game begins.  Kids choose the question square, not knowing whether their marker is underneath. The strategy of "three in a row" still remains, but players won't know if they are helping themselves... or the other team until the question-- and the correct answer-- is said.  That uncertainty -- will keep both sides wondering, pondering and engaged up until the end.

You can make up this version with an activity board painted with chalkboard paint like the one shown -- or simply use a layer of Post-it notes on a classroom chalkboard/ white board.   Making and decorating an activity board (found in the educational section of arts & crafts stores for~$9) looks more fun,  lessens "peeking" and is well worth the time, when this becomes a "favorite".  

Expect playing (thus your review) to go quickly. Keep Post-it notes handy to help with those longer- phrased questions... and to allow for a "just-one-more-time" rematch. For no one likes losing in Tic-Tac-Toe!