This is a variation of a post initially made March 2015 titled Activity for the Last Hour: Scrabble. In this version, it becomes a game which can be used to teach a new concept or review a concept already covered. The model below is based on teaching a new concept.
Break your class into groups of 3 to 4 individuals. Each group should name itself. Give an assigned passage from the textbook or an article which covers a key concept. Each group is to compose 6-10 crossword questions and a one-word answer. This portion should take approximately 20-40 minutes depending on the amount of reading assigned.
Now, print one term in the middle of the whiteboard that defines the key concept. On a rotating basis, each team adds a series of boxes across the word you entered, or one of the words another team entered, to make a crossword option. One
of the team members asks the question relative to the term and the first team to respond is awarded points. Each team gets 10 points for adding relevant terms to the growing crossword, as well as 15 points for correctly answering the questions. Keep score on the whiteboard so everyone can see the running totals. As Instructor you are the judge on relevancy of terms and any team which proposes a term which you deem non-relevant misses their turn. The game ends when no team can add other relevant terms. Total the points and announce the winning team.
At the end of the time, have everyone take a picture of the board (you too). Assign a student at the beginning to create a Google Doc to record the questions and answers and share it with the entire class. Alternately, have each team create a Google Doc for their team and share it with you so you can compile the information later.
This type of activity is great for learning new concepts because it not only covers the data, which you could probably do quicker in a lecture, but it also helps the student to better integrate the data into their memory. Alternately, this activity can also be used for mid-term or final review.
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