We don’t often think about brain breaks in second grade. But the truth is, they need them as much as elementary students, especially if you teach on a block schedule with 90 or 120 minute blocks. We’re all looking for ways to stimulate our students’ brains, and @strategicclassroom’s TikTok gives us one that’s quick, easy, and, most importantly, fun.
What is Wikiracing?
These brain breaks are not only fun, but also a stimulating way to stimulate the brains of students. Wikiracing is a competitive and educational game that uses Wikipedia’s vast network of linked articles to create an exciting and educational race. The play begins with two completely unrelated topics, such as women’s suffrage and apricots. Students start on the Wikipedia page with the first article and must go to the second using only hyperlinked articles within Wikipedia. Getting caught? They cannot use the back button or the search function, adding a strategic layer to the game.
Here’s how to set up this brain break:
- Select topics. You can choose topics that are relevant to your current curriculum or random subjects to add an element of surprise (eg, women’s suffrage and apricots). Encourage students to suggest topics and draw in a hat to promote participation.
- Explain the rules. Emphasize that students must only click on green links and cannot use background or search functions.
- Follow the progress. Decide to crown a winner based on speed (first to second title) or efficiency (fewest clicks).
To get started, all you need is a projector or smartboard to display the original title and track progress. Wikiracing can be a quick five-minute break or an extended activity, depending on how you plan the race. Personally, my brain only breaks for five minutes, but I know other teachers (like my husband!) use seven-minute Bluey episodes as their brain breaks.
Listen to this teacher explain how to use Wikiracing:
Feedback from teachers
Teachers in the @strategicclassroom comment section provided feedback:
- Amount of education: Many teachers appreciate Wikiracing for its ability to combine fun with learning. They see its potential to develop general knowledge and research skills, as students navigate a variety of interconnected topics.
- Implementation challenges: Some teachers face challenges such as limited access to Wikipedia in their districts, which hinders their ability to use the tool. Others expressed the need for guidance on effective use and tracking of the game to ensure fairness and relevance in education. When I was in middle school, we played “Google Whacking” and we all loved it!
- Student participation: Teachers have noticed high levels of student engagement when participating in Wikiracing. They value the competitive nature of the work and intellectual stimulation, which is often seen as a refreshing change from the usual classroom activities.
- Suggestions for improvement: There is an interest in developing clear rules and strategies to improve the educational outcomes of Wikiracing. Ideas include aligning work and curriculum standards and ensuring student navigation to maintain the integrity of the game.
Ready to try?
Are you ready to give your students the brain break they really crave? Try Wikiracing in your next class and watch their interactions in the second half of the class skyrocket.
