Biology Games for Kids
Thousands of biological terms and definitions exist, and by using games teachers and parents can help kids to retain information and reinforce what has been learned in the classroom. Incorporating games into the study of biology will introduce another dimension to the learning process, one in which students of elementary grade level through college are never too old or young to participate. It should also help students to recognize how they come across biology in their everyday lives.
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Map it out
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Start with having the kids create a "concept map," an organized chart illustrating how biology is linked to their everyday lives. This activity can be used for kids beginning in fourth grade and through middle school.
Divide the class into groups, making this an activity about working together. If you are home schooling, this activity can be done solo.
Begin by brainstorming ideas and terms about biology. Jot down those facts, terms and concepts, keeping in mind how they relate to the broader theme of biology. Using single words or short phrases, assign each term to a Post-It note.
Each group member should contribute and everyone's input should be recorded. The kids should set out to create the largest list possible.
Second, have the kids spread out the paper notes on a flat surface so they can evaluate and eventually organize and categorize the terms they've selected.
Prepare a large piece of cardboard or construction paper. The kids will use this to create a map by sticking the Post-It notes on the paper under various categories.
Create categories or sub-themes in which related terms and phrases will be grouped together. The main category should reflect the central flow of the chart. One example is "Life Characteristics." Position the central theme on the middle of the paper. Use this as the focal point related to all the other sub-categories. The categories and terms within should reflect some relationship.
Once the categories are established, the last step is to link the items together by drawing arrows to illustrate relationships among the connected items or groups. Identify connections by writing down a few words by each arrow. Although more than one arrow can point to the same group, arrows should point in only one direction. Let the kids present their maps to the class and have them vote for their favorite. Kids cannot vote for their own map. The group with the most votes wins.
Scavenger hunt
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Create a numerical list containing life activities that relate to biology.
Kids are asked to find someone who has done the activities on the itemized list. For example, find a classmate who has: 1) Walked through the park with family, 2) Seen frogs or turtles and 3) Visited the hospital to see a sick person.Have the class walk around asking one another about their activities. After finding a classmate who has done a corresponding action, the student checks that item off her list. Whoever checks off all the items first wins, but the children must be able to explain how each checked item relates to biology. This activity is most applicable to kids of elementary grade level.
Board games
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Create your own Jeopardy game. All categories should be biology related. List categories on the chalkboard and assign values to each question. Write the corresponding categories, questions and values on index cards.
The teacher is in charge of asking the questions and determining if the student answers correctly and in question form, as on the television show.To play, separate the kids into two teams. Have the teams select a category and value, one member at a time. Switch teams in between questions. A student who gets the question right earns the points assigned to that item. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins. Jeopardy is appropriate for students of all ages. Just gear the questions to the group's age level.
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