After my school got a data projector, I used PowerPoint in place of the pocket chart. I downloaded a template where I could type in my own categories and questions. When played, the PowerPoint question slides were hyperlinked to the main game board slide. As an extra touch, when a link is clicked, the text dimmed so everyone knows the question has been used. Because the game show was a way to study, I took extra time to type up all game show questions to make a review sheet for my students.

Today there is an even better way to bring game shows into the classroom: JeopardyLabs. In just a few steps you can create a free Jeopardy board with categories, questions, and answers. It's all created, stored, and played online--no PowerPoint or other software required.

Before you try your hand at creating a template (that's what JeopardyLabs calls a completed game board), you should play one yourself. You can browse templates created by others or try out one I made where all of the questions come from this blog. Before you can play, you must select the number of teams. You can have up to 10. After clicking and answering a question, you click the + or - next to the team's number. The plus adds the questions point value to the team's score while the minus subtracts the point value. This is brilliant because in my classroom I'd have a student volunteer be the scorekeeper. Too often the scorekeeper would have an arithmetic error, give points to the wrong team, or forget how many points the question was worth. With JeopardyLabs scoring for each questions is done in one click, eliminating the need for a score keeper.

While you might get lucky and find a template someone else has made that exactly fits the content for which you want to quiz students, chances are you'll want to create your own template. Here's how:

1. Go to jeopardylabs.com and click the Start Building button.
   
2. Enter a password so that you can edit the template in the future. Click Start Building.
   
3. Enter a title and categories for your game. You do not have to use all five categories.
   
4. Click question boxes to type in Jeopardy-style questions and answers.
   
5. Click the Save button.
   
6. Bookmark or write down the web address of your game. Since you did not provide an email address, if you lose this URL you will not be able to access your template.
   

Some tips for using JeopardyLabs:

• Include up to 25 questions. You can have up to five categories with up to five questions in each category. Sometimes dividing questions in categories is too difficult. You can keep it simple and just name your categories A, B, C, D, and E.
  
• Type questions in a word processor. So that you have spell check you may consider typing the questions in a word processor like Microsoft Word. You can then copy and paste the questions into the JeopardyLabs template. Another advantage to typing out the questions in a word processor is that it is easier to sort them by difficulty level. You'll make the questions that are more difficult worth more points, either by changing their order or by marking them before copying them into JeopardyLabs. Since you took so much time to write the questions, a saved Word document is a good way to keep a backup copy of your questions.
• Share the template's URL with students after the game. Give students the URL of the game template so they can use it as a study tool. Publish it in your classroom newsletter, link to it on your website, send it home on a slip of paper, or have students write it down. Do not give students the template's password. The password is only used for editing, not playing.
• Download the HTML file for your template. This way you have a backup copy of the game and you can play without an internet connection.
  
• Students can make their own. Teachers aren't the only ones who can create JeopardyLabs templates. Since no email address is required, anyone can build a game show. The process of deciding what information to include, writing questions, and playing the game can be an effective way to study.
• Create a game show atmosphere with lights. You can find inexpensive disco balls at places like Walmart and Target. Stringing lights around the projector screen adds even more to the atmosphere. Splurge and purchase lights that can blink in patterns. The extra pizzazz is worth it. After Christmas is a great time to find deals on these kinds of lights.
• Download game show music. You can find the Jeopardy theme song and question music in the iTunes Store and mp3.amazon.com. You probably want to put a student in charge of playing the music. It's best to play the music from an iPod or a different computer from where JeopardyLabs is being projected. This way playing music doesn't interrupt what students see on the screen.
• Offer prizes. Oriental Trading Company is the place where I get all sorts of inexpensive prizes. Kids love them and it's fun to compete for a prize. An inexpensive prize I would offer is time to sit on the comfortable chair or couch I had in my classroom. I gave out tickets that were each worth 15 minutes to sit on the furniture. Students really enjoyed sitting on a couch during a lesson, work time, or reading time.
• Take turns. The best way I've found to manage classroom game play is to divide students into teams. Then each team takes a turn answering a question. If you have classroom clickers, you may be able to use them as buzzers. However, I still prefer taking turns as the most fair way of playing.
• There's no Double or Finale Jeopardy. Although special questions are not included in the JeopardyLabs template, you can still incorporate them in the game play. You'll just have to add them yourself, perhaps in a PowerPoint slide.