Typically thought of as a track event, relay races can easily be modified for the classroom and can be used to reinforce a variety of content area skills. Write questions that pertain to the subject area you wish to reinforce, such as math, science, geography or vocabulary. Separate the cards into two piles and place them on a table in the front of the room. Divide the class into two teams and have each team form a single-file line. The first two players on each team run to the table, pick up the first card on their pile and try to answer the question. If they correctly answer the question, they run back to their team and tap the next person in line, who then runs to answer the next question. If the player is incorrect, or doesn't know the answer, she must place the card on the bottom of the pile and take another card. The first team to answer all of the questions in their pile of cards wins the relay race.
Create a bean bag toss game to instill concepts and skills in your students. Use a marker to draw a grid on a large piece of poster board or butcher paper. Write something inside each box on the grid, such as question, a math problem, or a vocabulary word. Lay the grid on the floor and provide players with bean bags. One player at a time tosses a bean bag onto the grid and must respond to what is written in the box in which the bean bag landed. For example, if a bean bag lands on "4 x 28," the student must answer the problem. You can either award points for each correct answer--and the winner is the person who earns the most points--or play this game non-competitively.
Guessing games can also be used to reinforce a variety of content area knowledge. To play, state three clues that relate to something you're thinking of; for example, if you're thinking of George Washington, you might say that he was a general, he was the first president of the U.S. and the capital is named for him. The first student to guess "George Washington" earns a point. Provide more clues if students are stumped. The player who earns the most points wins the game.
Turn basketball into an educational game. Place a clean trashcan on the ground, then put a piece of masking tape on the floor about 4 or 5 feet from the can. Write questions (that relate to the subject you want to reinforce) on index cards. Divide the class into teams; have one team member at a time step onto the line and show him an index card. If he answers correctly he earns a point for his team and tries to shoot a small ball into the trash can, earning another point if he succeeds. The team that earns the most points wins the basketball game.