Around the World is a classic, fast-paced classroom game that helps students practice quick thinking and recall skills, especially for math facts, vocabulary, or review questions. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get your class excited and engaged!

Step 1: Set Up

1. Have all students seated at their desks.
2. Choose one student to start as the “traveler.” This person stands behind the first seated student in the first row or starting point.

Step 2: State the Question or Problem

1. The teacher calls out a problem, equation, or question aloud (e.g., “7 + 6” or “What is the capital of France?”).
2. The standing student and the seated student compete to answer first.

Step 3: Determine the Winner

1. The first student to answer correctly wins the round.
2. If the standing student answers correctly first, they move to stand behind the next seated student.
3. If the seated student answers correctly first, they become the new “traveler,” and the previous standing student sits down.

Step 4: Keep Moving

1. Continue the game with the “traveler” moving from desk to desk.
2. If both students answer incorrectly, the teacher continues moving through the class, asking the same question until someone answers correctly.
3. The goal is to see how far a student can go without being defeated.

Step 5: End the Round

1. The game can continue until a student successfully makes it all the way “Around the World” (around the classroom) or until the timer runs out.
2. The last student standing or the one who travels the farthest is the winner.

Variations

• Side vs. Side: Have two students compete from opposite sides of the classroom, staying seated while racing to answer.
• Group Play: If students sit in clusters, the traveler can move from group to group instead of individual desks. Or just have a groups of 5 and they compete in their own groups.
• Timed Challenge: Give students a set time to see how far they can travel.

Around the World is an energetic way to review material, build mental speed, and foster friendly competition in the classroom!