Learning on the Fly: How to Play SWAT in Your Class
Looking for an engaging, no-prep activity that your students will beg to play and that supports meaningful learning at the same time? Look no further than SWAT—a fast-paced, interactive game that can be tailored to meet the needs of every student in your classroom. Whether you’re reinforcing math concepts, encouraging teamwork, or rewarding your class at the end of the day, SWAT is the perfect solution.
In this post, I’ll show you how to set up and play SWAT, provide concrete examples for differentiating the game, and share classroom management tips to ensure the fun stays productive. Plus, I’ve included a free December-themed SWAT board that you can use right away!
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WHAT IS SWAT?
SWAT is a highly engaging game where students race to “swat” the correct answer on a board of numbers, letters, or other learning targets. Played in teams or individually, students listen to a prompt, then quickly identify the correct number or item by tapping it with a pointer or soft swatter (to protect your interactive whiteboard or poster).
Not only is this game fun, but it builds essential skills in number sense, problem-solving, and quick recall, making it perfect for morning meetings, math lessons, or brain breaks.
SETTING UP SWAT IN YOUR CLASSROOM
How to Prepare Your SWAT Board:
Use a themed board like the one included in my December Calendar Pack or create your own with numbers, letters, or symbols relevant to your lesson. For a holiday twist, you could use clip art of ornaments, snowflakes, or mittens with numbers inside!
Gather Your Tools:
A fly swatter, foam bat, or even a soft pointer.
A projector or printed board if you’re not using a Smartboard or interactive display.
Establish Rules:
Set clear expectations for behavior and participation to prevent the game from getting out of hand. (More on that below!)
Differentiating SWAT For All Learners
Here’s where SWAT shines—it’s endlessly customizable to suit your students’ needs, from PreK to advanced learners. Below are examples of how to adjust your prompts to engage all students.
Basic Number Recognition
For younger learners or those needing extra support, call out prompts like:
“Find the number 7.”
“Swat the number 1 less than 5.”
“Tap the number that comes after 3.”
Intermediate Skills
To challenge learners ready for more complexity:
“Find the number that is 2 more than 9.”
“Tap the even number in the bottom row.”
“Find the number whose digits add up to 8.”
Advanced Challenges
For students needing extra enrichment:
“Swat the square root of 81.”
“Find the odd number that doubles to make 18.”
“Swat the number that is 2 cubed.”
“Find the number three spaces left of the number that starts with 't.'”
By tailoring prompts to your students, you can ensure all learners are engaged and appropriately challenged.
Pedagogical Purposes of SWAT
SWAT isn’t just fun; it serves important learning goals:
Builds Number Sense: Students practice recognizing and understanding relationships between numbers.
Promotes Quick Recall: Helps students respond quickly and confidently under pressure.
Fosters Teamwork: Encourages collaboration and communication.
Celebrates Learning: Use it as an exciting way to wrap up the day or week.
Tips for Managing SWAT
Keep your classroom engaged while maintaining order with these tips:
Set Clear Rules: Only one student from each team approaches the board at a time.
Keep Score Fairly: Rotate turns or use a randomizer so all students get a chance to participate.
Control the Noise: Encourage cheering but remind students to stay respectful and use “indoor voices.”
Time It: Use a timer to limit rounds and keep the game on schedule.
Add a Twist: For large classes, have two boards running simultaneously with different teams to keep everyone involved.
Free SWAT Board for December
Want to try SWAT in your classroom right away? I’ve got you covered! Download this free December-themed SWAT board to see how easy it is to bring this game to life. (The board features holiday-inspired graphics and is perfect for winter learning fun!)
[Click here to download the free December-themed SWAT board for your classroom]
If you love this game, consider grabbing my December Calendar Pack, which includes SWAT and dozens of other interactive activities to keep your students engaged all month long. It will transform your lessons and is designed for PreK to Grade 2.
Or go all-in with my Yearly Bundle of Monthly Calendar Packs to save big for year-round fun and learning. SWAT is the kind of game that transforms learning from routine to riveting while addressing critical skills and engaging every student.
Try it out in your classroom and let me know how it goes!
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