Turn Review Sessions into 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire' Style Game Shows

Why Game Show Format Works for Learning

Everyone knows 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire'—the iconic quiz show format where contestants answer 15 increasingly difficult questions with lifelines available. The format is perfect for education because it already has built-in engagement mechanics: escalating stakes, decision points, social support options, and dramatic tension.

The Basic Setup

Here's how I structure my classroom Millionaire game:

• •The Contestant: One student at a time sits in the 'hot seat'
• •The Host: You (the teacher) play MC, reading questions with drama
• •The Audience: Rest of class watches and can be consulted as a lifeline
• •The Questions: 10-15 review questions, organized by difficulty
• •The Stakes: Points, small prizes, or class privileges

Lifelines: The Secret to Engagement

Lifelines aren't just fun—they're pedagogically brilliant. They create decision points, encourage collaboration, and reduce anxiety for struggling students. Here are the lifelines I use:

50:50

Remove two incorrect answers, leaving the correct answer and one wrong answer. This lifeline is perfect for questions where students have partial knowledge but are unsure between options.

Ask the Audience

The class votes on the answer (heads down, eyes closed, raise hands). I tally votes and share the percentage breakdown. This is fantastic because:

• •Everyone in the class mentally engages with every question
• •Students see that the audience isn't always right (good life lesson!)
• •Creates community—the audience genuinely wants to help
• •Gives you instant data on class understanding

Phone a Friend

The contestant chooses one specific classmate to ask. That person has 30 seconds to give their best answer and reasoning. This encourages collaboration and validates peer expertise.

Switch Question (My Custom Lifeline)

Skip the current question and receive a different one of similar difficulty. Use once per game. This prevents complete freezing and keeps the game moving.

Question Design: The Heart of the Game

Your questions make or break the game. Here's my system:

Question Tiers

Writing Good Distractors

Wrong answers should be plausible, not obviously silly. Good distractors reveal common misconceptions. If students consistently pick a particular wrong answer, that tells you what to reteach.

Running the Game: Pacing and Drama

The magic is in the presentation. Here's how to maximize drama:

• •Read questions slowly: Build anticipation before revealing answers
• •Pause dramatically: 'Is that your final answer?' (Wait 3 seconds)
• •Celebrate correct answers: Sound effects, applause, genuine enthusiasm
• •Acknowledge wrong answers gracefully: 'So close! The answer was...' (No shame)
• •Use music: Game show themes for transitions (optional but powerful)
• •Timer for decisions: Creates urgency without rushing

Variations for Different Situations

Team Millionaire

Groups of 3-4 play as a team in the hot seat. They can discuss before answering. Great for collaborative learning and reduces individual pressure.

Speed Millionaire

Faster version: 5 questions per contestant, 20-second time limit per question, no lifelines. Multiple students can play in one class period.

Elimination Millionaire

Whole class plays simultaneously. Everyone stands. Each question, those who get it wrong sit down. Last person standing wins. Very fast, very engaging, but less dramatic per-question.

Digital Tools That Help

While you can run Millionaire with just verbal questions, digital tools add polish:

• •Random selector apps: For choosing contestants fairly
• •Timer apps: For creating urgency on decisions
• •Sound effect apps: For dramatic reveals and celebrations
• •Sorokid's quiz tools: Built-in randomizers and timers designed for classroom games
• •PowerPoint/Slides: Pre-made question slides add visual professionalism

Managing Classroom Dynamics

Keeping Non-Contestants Engaged

The 'audience' must stay engaged. My rules:

• •Audience must stay silent (or they lose privileges)
• •They can be called as Phone-a-Friend at any time
• •Ask the Audience requires everyone's participation
• •Keep games short—3-5 contestants per session
• •Rotate who gets to be in the hot seat over multiple sessions

Handling Wrong Answers

Wrong answers are learning opportunities, not failures. After a wrong answer:

• •Thank the student for playing
• •Briefly explain the correct answer
• •Ask 'What made that tricky?' to validate difficulty
• •Move on quickly—don't dwell

Prizes and Incentives

You don't need actual money! Effective classroom 'prizes':

• •Homework pass (one assignment excused)
• •Choose your seat for a day
• •Extra recess time (if applicable)
• •Candy or small treats (check school policy)
• •Classroom 'currency' for larger rewards
• •Simply having the highest score on the class leaderboard

Results: Why I Keep Using This Format

Since implementing Millionaire-style reviews:

• •Test scores improved 15% on average (students actually review material)
• •Students request review sessions (unheard of before!)
• •Shy students participate through lifelines
• •I get instant feedback on what the class understands
• •The 'boring' end-of-unit review became the highlight of the unit

The same content, presented as a game show instead of a worksheet, transforms student engagement completely.