Middle School ELA/R Test Prep Review Games (No Tech Required!)
Can we please take a break from red-eye device zombie screen time? Yes. Yes, we can.
Look, I’m not anti-tech. It’s just that since we use digital tools SO much, I’ve found it actually enhances engagement when we put them away once in a while because it introduces a fresh “new” way of interacting with test prep concepts. We don’t want to burn out on testing before the test even gets here.
Aaaand when we talk about test prep that doesn’t feel like test prep, we’re talking about games that engage middle schoolers, boost retention, and keep things interactive.
Here are 5 games for test prep so that your middle school ELA/R review schedule doesn’t feel quite so…test preppy.
🏀 Trashketball
- Split students into teams (6 small groups).
- You need: a trash can + a foam basketball
↳Love this set of 6 because they’re all different colors, one for each group/team
- Set up 1-point and 2-point shooting lines.
- Ask a question from something you’ve been reading, studying, or reviewing recently → team answers (as a group or individually).
- Correct? The team earns a point & gets to shoot for bonus points!
🎥 [Trashketball Explanation Video]
🌊 Sink or Swim
- Two teams face off, standing on chairs (careful with that one, ha)!
- Ask Team 1 a question from whatever you’ve been reading or studying:
- Correct? They “sink” a player from the other team (student sits).
- To keep things friendly, assign numbers for anonymity instead of calling names.
- Ask Team 2 a question:
- Correct? They can choose to “sink” an opponent or “save” a teammate.
- Game continues until one team is out of players!
🎥 [Sink or Swim Explanation Video] → Thanks, Michelle: pocketfulofprimary.com
❌ Grudgeball
- Each team begins with 10 “X” marks on the board.
- Ask a question → all teams answer.
- Correct? They erase an X from another team.
- Want more drama? Add Trashketball: Make a shot to erase extra Xs!
↳No Xs left? They’re out—but they can earn 5 “X” marks back with a correct answer + a shot into the basket!
🎥 [Grudgeball Explanation Video] → Thanks, Michelle: pocketfulofprimary.com
🎲 Dice Game
- Each group in the class has one dice (I’ll never be able to call one a “die”… Just can’t do it. Sorry.)
- Number off in your group from 1-4, or 1-5, or 1-6.
- Roll the dice and discuss the topic or the question with your partners.
- Since you don’t know who will be called on to answer the question officially, everyone in the group must be ready to speak!
➡️ Join us for Test Prep Palooza where you’ll get a dice game for each ELA/R genre along with dozens of Middle School ELA Reading & Writing test prep resources and strategies.
🎤 Sneaky Words Talk Game
- Students work in pairs with a secret list of words.
- Their mission? Casually sneak those words into a normal-sounding conversation.
- One partner talks, and the other listens for the “sneaky” words.
- The goal: Spot the sneaky word before they catch you using yours!
- Show an example from The Tonight Show (Bryan Cranston’s is a hit—pre-watch for appropriateness, or just watch so you know how to play and then you can explain it to your students in your own way).
🎥 [Word Sneak from The Tonight Show]
Why These Games Work:
✅ High engagement (no more glazed-over eyes)
✅ No tech headaches (hallelujah!)
✅ Fun, competitive, and memorable
Try one (or all) and watch your students actually enjoy test prep! 🚀
Get a whole host of other hands-on, engaging strategies for vocabulary in the classroom during test review season when you join us for the one & only virtual test prep event to help Middle School Reading + Writing Teachers review for “The Test” without feeling like you’re actually reviewing.
