Is Wikiracing the Best Secondary Brain Break?

We don’t often think of brain breaks for the secondary classroom. But the truth is, they need them just as much as elementary students, especially if you teach on a block schedule with a 90- or 120-minute block. We’re all looking for ways to refresh our students’ brains, and @strategicclassroom’s TikTok provides us with one that is fast, easy, and, most importantly, fun.

What is Wikiracing?

This brain break is not only fun, but it’s also a stimulating way to wake up students’ brains. Wikiracing is a competitive and educational game that leverages Wikipedia’s vast network of linked articles to create a race that is both thrilling and informative. The game begins with two completely unrelated topics, such as women’s suffrage and apricots. Students start on the Wikipedia page for the first topic and must navigate to the second using only the hyperlinked articles within Wikipedia. The catch? They can’t use the back button or the search function, adding 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 subjects to add an element of surprise (e.g., women’s suffrage and apricots). Encourage students to suggest topics and draw them from a hat to boost participation.
Explain the rules. Emphasize that students must click only blue hyperlinks and cannot use the back or search functions.
Track progress. Decide to crown the winner based on speed (first to the second topic) or efficiency (fewest clicks).

To get started, all you need is a projector or smartboard to display the initial topic and track progress. Wikiracing can be a quick five-minute break or a more extended activity, depending on how you structure the competition. Personally, my brain breaks only lasted max five minutes, but I know some teachers (like my husband!) utilize Bluey seven-minute episodes as their brain breaks.

Listen to this teacher describe how she uses Wikiracing:

Feedback from teachers

Teachers in @strategicclassroom’s comment section have provided feedback:

Educational value: Many educators appreciate Wikiracing for its ability to blend fun with learning. They recognize its potential to enhance general knowledge and research skills, as students navigate through various linked topics.
Implementation challenges: Some teachers face obstacles like restricted Wikipedia access in their districts, hampering their ability to use this tool. Others expressed the need for guidance on effectively implementing and tracking the game to ensure fairness and educational relevance. When I was in middle school, we played “Google Whacking” and we all loved it!
Student engagement: Teachers noted high levels of student engagement when participating in Wikiracing. They value the activity’s competitive nature and intellectual stimulation, often seen as a refreshing change from typical classroom tasks.
Suggestions for improvement: There is interest in developing clearer rules and strategies to enhance the educational outcomes of Wikiracing. Ideas include aligning the activity with curriculum standards and verifying students’ navigation paths to maintain the game’s integrity.

Ready to try?

Ready to give your students a brain break that they’ll actually look forward to? Try Wikiracing in your next class and watch their engagement for the second half of class skyrocket.