Fun Games for a Middle School Classroom at the End of the Year

Memory Games

• Ask your middle school students to sit in a circle and select one player to go first. She must start by saying "One thing I will do this summer is ______." If she says "swim," the next player must say "One thing I will do this summer is swim and _____." Each player must repeat every student's response and add her own. If a player messes up the correct order or cannot remember a response, she is out of the game. The last player to remember everyone's response wins the game. Another variation is to have the students say, "I would love to go to______ for vacation" or "I am going to _______ for vacation."

Trivia Games

• See how much your students paid attention to you and your personal life by asking them a variety of trivia questions. Ask them questions like "What is my middle name?" and "How many kids do I have?" Award one point for each question and the student who earns the most points wins the game. Turn this game into a game of Jeopardy by making a large chart of questions and point values. Play in teams or individually.

Contests

• Give the students several sheets of paper, card stock, construction paper, markers, stickers and crayons to make their own autograph book. Tell them to use their imagination and creativity. Have three teachers judge the autographs books for the best, most creative and funniest books. The students can then have each student sign their autograph books to keep as a memento of the class. Alternatively, give each student a large white T-shirt. They can use fabric markers and puff paint to make autograph shirts.

Guessing Games

• Write down names of random objects, animals or items on small slips of paper. Tape one to the back of each student's shirt. Students must walk around the classroom asking yes or no questions about their item. They can ask questions, such as "Am I an animal?" or "Am I a food?" The first player to guess his item wins the game. Make the game simple by having only one category like animals or fruits at a time. Keep playing until each player guesses his item.