Great American History Games

Rating:
Summary: American History Games not a true winner
Review: Although I found a few of the ideas in this book useful, the directions were mostly difficult to understand. The games themselves did not live up to the hype.

Rating:
Summary: These are great games!
Review: I don't usually write a lot of reviews, but I was so impressed with the games in this book that I wanted to spread the word. So many books tell you to do this, do that, without giving you the material you need. This book gives you reproducible cards, game boards (including one in color on the poster), and other pieces--a little copying, cutting, and you're done. Also, the games aren't the same old, same old. There are some really simple but unique approaches here that you could use with all kinds of history materials. I've expanded two of the games that way and plan to do more next year. If you're looking for a fun approach to history that doesn't take too much time, here it is.

Rating:
Summary: spark their interest
Review: I teach 8th grade and found this book very useful. It really spiced up my unit. The Immigration game has little passports of actual immigrants, some famous and some not. I was surprised at how many of these passports were included in the book. The game played well--easy to learn (like Who Are You?) and fast. We played two other games--one about geographic names and one about the Civil War. Can't wait to try the others. I'd say get this book if you need a spark.