Physics Loop Games

Subject: Physics
Level: Secondary
Age Group: 14 - 16
Order Number: 15066

Loop games are an ideal starter or plenary activity which can be used as a fun tool in assisting children's learning of a topic and providing the teacher with a means of assessment.

Each loop game consists of 30 cards - one or more cards are given to each child in the class. Each card contains an answer, then the next question in the series. The game starts by one child reading the question from their card - another child will have this answer. They then read their question - the loop continues until the first child calls out their answer. Children enjoy timing how long it takes to complete the loop then seeing if they can beat that time the next lesson. Loop games vary in length depending on the class they are being used with and their current knowledge of a topic, but as a guide will last between 5-8 minutes - though high-ability classes at the end of a topic have completed them in under 3 minutes!

Loop games can also be used in a variety of other ways; for example, they could be used by a child or small group of children as a sorting exercise where they match the question to the correct answer, a revision game, or they can be used as a quiz as a whole class learning activity.

There is a loop game which links to each of the QCA Science Units (there are also cross references to Spotlight Science and Exploring Science Units).