We don’t often think about brain breaks for the high school classroom. But the truth is, they need them just as much as elementary students, especially if you teach on a 90- or 120-minute block schedule. We’re all looking for ways to refresh our students’ brains and @strategicclassroom’s TikTok gives us one that’s quick, easy, and most importantly, fun.
What is Wikiracing?
This brain break is not only fun, but it is also a stimulating way to wake up students’ brains. Wikiracing is a competitive and educational game that takes advantage of Wikipedia’s vast network of linked articles to create a race that is both exciting and informative. The game begins with two completely unrelated topics, such as women’s suffrage and apricots. Students begin on the Wikipedia page for the first topic and must navigate to the second using only the hyperlinked articles within Wikipedia. The trick? They can’t use the back button or the search function, which adds a layer of strategy to the game.
Here’s how to set up this brain break:
- Select topics. You can choose topics relevant to your current curriculum or completely random topics to add an element of surprise (for example, women’s suffrage and apricots). Encourage students to suggest topics and pull them out of a hat to boost participation.
- Explain the rules. Emphasize that students should click only on the blue hyperlinks and cannot use the backspace or search functions.
- Track progress. Decide to crown the winner based on speed (first to second topic) or efficiency (fewest clicks).
To get started, all you need is a projector or smart board to display the initial topic and track progress. Wikiracing can be a quick five-minute break or a longer activity, depending on how you structure the competition. Personally, my brain breaks only lasted a maximum of five minutes, but I know that some teachers (like my husband!) use seven-minute Bluey episodes as brain breaks.
Listen to this teacher describe how she uses Wikiracing:
Teacher comments
Teachers in the comments section of @strategicclassroom have provided feedback:
- Educational value: Many educators appreciate Wikiracing for its ability to combine fun with learning. They recognize its potential to improve general knowledge and research skills, as students navigate various related topics.
- Implementation challenges: Some teachers face obstacles such as restricted access to Wikipedia in their districts, which hinders their ability to use this tool. Others expressed the need for guidance on effective implementation and monitoring of the game to ensure equity and educational relevance. When I was in high school, we played “Google Whacking” and we all loved it!
- Student participation: Teachers noted high levels of student engagement when participating in Wikiracing. They value the competitive nature and intellectual stimulation of the activity, often seen as a refreshing change from typical classroom tasks.
- Suggestions for improvement: There is interest in developing clearer rules and strategies to improve the educational outcomes of Wikiracing. Ideas include aligning the activity with curriculum standards and checking student navigation paths to maintain the integrity of the game.
Ready to try it?
Ready to give your students a brain break they’re really looking forward to? Try Wikiracing in your next class and watch your engagement soar during the second half of the class.
