A Quiz Game is a fun way of reviewing details of the story and its original context. It has the appeal of “Trivial Pursuit” and TV game shows.

Preparation:

You will need to create a list of multiple choice questions related to the story and the elements of its original and canonical context which you have taught the children. These are “closed questions” with one right answer, so be sure that is appropriate for what you ask. Also make sure you balance this activity with another that encourages wondering and “open questions.”

Getting Ready to Play:

1. Divide the class into 2-4 teams however you think works best for your group of children.
2. A team captain is appointed or selected by team members to hold up the cards for the team. Give the team captain a badge or some way to identify their role.
3. Give each team four cards: A, B, C, and D. Make these with 4×6 index cards or on colored card stock.
4. Each team also has a container large enough to hold a dozen balls, preferably different colors. Things that work are plastic crates, tubs, laundry baskets, waste baskets.
5. The teacher has a container of 2½ inch, air-filled, soft flex balls (available in toy departments).

Game Directions:

1. The teacher reads the questions and gives the four possible answers. Do this twice and no more after the first couple of questions (they will learn to listen).
2. The teams are given 15-30 seconds to come up with an answer.
3. The teacher calls, “Time’s up! Hold up your answer.”
4. The team captains hold up cards with A, B, C, and/or D.
5. The teacher throws a ball to each team that gets a correct answer and they put the ball in their container.

Alternative Process:

Team captain holds up a hand when their team has the answer. When all teams are ready they are invited to hold up their cards.

Optional Bonus Round

The final bonus round of the game is the storytelling round. The question is: “Can someone tell the story of __________?” Each team nominates one person to tell the story for the team. If someone gets most of the story, the team gets four balls; OR a story judge decides how many balls they get (hold up a number card); use the Keys Game as an aid; also consider telling skill (gestures, expressiveness).

At the end of the game, the balls each team won are counted out and celebrated. There is no need to make this a win/lose game, with the implicit downer for the losers, since everybody wins. The number of balls/wins of each team can simply be celebrated. But kids play win/lose games a lot and you may find that there is more energy in a win/lose/tie game.