How to Create a Free Jeopardy Game for the Classroom

Can you answer the next question on Jeopardy correctly?

Creating a Jeopardy game for the classroom is an excellent way to get students motivated while reviewing a content area. Students will problem solve as a group to find answers to many challenging questions. Create the template once using Microsoft's PowerPoint, and this Jeopardy board can easily be adapted to any unit of study. Lay down a few basic rules with the class and let the good times reviewing roll.

Things You'll Need

• LCD projector
• Microsoft PowerPoint

Instructions

1. 

   Develop a range of questions for the game using a "Bloom's Taxonomy" chart.

   Organize the content to be reviewed into four or five topics. For example, a review on Michigan's history might include wars, leaders, industry, cultures and government. Write approximately six questions under each topic, ranging in difficulty from easy to hard. Refer to a "Bloom's Taxonomy" chart to develop higher-order questions (see Resources).

2. 

   Create the template for an endless variety of Jeopardy games.

   Type your content topic in the first slide text box. Select "New Slide" from the Home menu. Select the "Insert Table" icon on the slide. Input the number of columns, which corresponds with the number of subtopics, and the number of rows, which corresponds with the number of questions for each subtopic, for your Jeopardy game. Stretch the table to full screen. Enter subtopics in the top text box of each column. Click on "Shapes" in the "Home" menu bar. Select a shape for the action button. Insert this shape into each cell on the table. Right click on the shape in the first cell. Select "Edit Text." Enter the point value for the question in the column. Repeat this for all the shapes on the table. Click "New Slide" from Home menu. Enter the first question in the text box of the new slide. Select "Shapes" in the Home menu. Scroll down to the "Action Buttons" and select "Action Button: Return." Click "OK" on "Action Setting" pop-up. Repeat this process for each question of the game. Return to the main game board slide with the table. Right click on the first point value button. Select "Hyperlink." Click on "Place in this document." Select the corresponding question. Click "OK." Repeat for all point value buttons.

3. 

   Each team will work together to prepare the correct answer for each question.

   Divide the class into groups of three or four students each. Explain that each student will take a turn as group's spokesperson. Allow this spokesperson to choose the topic and point value the group will attempt to answer correctly. Click on the requested point value action button to reveal the question. Read the question to the class. Allow each group time to discuss together what the correct answer may be. Call on the group's spokesperson to explain the group's answer. If the answer is correct, tally the point value for the group. If the answer is incorrect, immediately call on the next group to answer. Do not allow further discussion time, ensuring that each group will be highly motivated to discuss the correct answer for each question posed. Call on the spokesperson for the next group to choose a topic and point value. Continue playing until all questions have been asked. Tally the points and declare the winner.

References

• Advanced PowerPoint: Creating Action Buttons
• "Journal of Management Education", Active Learning with Jeopardy: Students Ask the Questions; Joan Benek-Rivera, et al.; February 2004

Resources

• Old Dominion University: Bloom's Taxonomy