Breakout with Google Form by Morgan Wright

Last week, my students had to take our county-mandated benchmark assessment (CBA).  This is a summative exam to assess student learning and understanding of standards and concepts taught during the first term.  To be honest, students DESPISE taking the CBA each 9 week grading period, and it is honestly a pain to grade as a teacher.  If it were up to me, I would not give the CBA to my students, but because it is county-mandated, I do.

Although students were taught the same standards and concepts that would be seen on this 9 week’s CBA, I always like to do a review prior to the assessment so students will be familiar with the test questions.  In years past, I’ve simply given my students a paper-pencil practice test to prepare them.  However, with COVID safety guidelines, I did not want to do a paper practice assessment this year; the less paper I have to hand out and touch, the better.  I wanted to do something technology-based to not only engage students, but to enhance the review experience and allow students to use their own devices.

This is where the idea of a digital breakout review game came to mind.  I’ve always wanted to create one for my students to do, but I did not have any instructional funds to purchase the Breakout EDU boxes or subscription.  I’ve seen teachers use Google Forms to make a breakout-like activity, but I have always been intimidated by the process since I had never made one before. I received my Google Educator certification a few years ago, but features in Google have changed since I received my certification, so I was unfamiliar with the whole process of how to begin on making my own review game using Forms. 

I decided to do a little bit of research and found a few helpful YouTube videos to create my own version of a Breakout review game.  Once I started the process, I realized how simple it was!  I took the questions and answers from the paper version of the review I typically give my students and transformed them into an engaging review game.  

With the simple switch from paper-pencil test questions to a digital game, students forgot they were reviewing for a county-wide assessment.  It probably helped that I bribed the winners with candy…..but still. It was a fun experience not only for my students, but for me as well.   It was great to see my students so engaged in a review! Not only was this a great way to review for a test, but it is a great way for students to practice following directions and spelling.  To “unlock” the answer to a question, students have to read descriptions and directions for each question to ensure they’re doing the right thing.  They also have to make sure they spell each word correctly or they cannot “unlock” a question/answer.  You can also give hints/tips for students on each question.  If they type in the wrong answer, the hint/tip pops up in red and forces them to go back to correct their answer.  

Overall it was a fun experience, and my students asked me if we could do this before our next test.  That is a big yes from me! You can do this with students in groups (socially distanced of course) or independently.  Either way, I highly recommend doing this not only for a fun way to review, but you could also do this as a test or class assignment.  

Here is what my version looked like (click HERE to view).  You can also watch these two videos to help you set up your own: video #1 & video #2.

Written by co-author Mrs.Wrights Room