💥 LEAP Prep Bootcamp: Engaging Missions to Help Students Master the Test!

When it comes to preparing for standardized testing, worksheets and drills just don’t cut it anymore—especially when you’re trying to keep high schoolers engaged. That’s why I created LEAP Prep Bootcamp Missions, a series of interactive, high-energy review activities that help students actively review key content while having fun and working together.

Each mission is designed to target different skills needed for success on the LEAP 2025 assessment, from reading comprehension and vocabulary to source analysis and critical thinking. Here's a peek at the missions we've tackled in class—and how they're helping my students actually enjoy test prep:

🎯 Mission #1: Timeline Creation Challenge

Students worked in pairs, each pair focusing on a different topic from Western Expansion to the Modern Era. Using their assigned review packets, they collaborated on one long, colorful classroom timeline that included key events, terms, and historical figures. This mission strengthened their understanding of chronology, cause and effect, and thematic connections across time—all essential skills for the LEAP exam.

🧠 Mission #2: March Madness Vocabulary Headbands

In this bracket-style tournament, teams competed in rounds of “Headbands,” using LEAP vocabulary words. One player wore a word they couldn’t see while teammates gave clues to help them guess it. Each round was timed, and correct guesses were stacked to determine winners. This game helped reinforce academic vocabulary in a fun, low-pressure way, while encouraging teamwork and fast thinking.

🕵️‍♀️ Mission #3: Bingo Challenge – Source Hunt Edition

This wasn’t your average Bingo game. Students had to walk around the room to analyze primary and secondary sources, answer multiple-choice questions, and secretly record answers on their Bingo sheets. The first to get Bingo (and later a coverall!) won prizes. This mission promoted close reading, source evaluation, and movement, which made reviewing feel more like a game than a grind.

✋ Mission #4: Head, Shoulders, Table, Snatch!

Students paired up and battled it out in a test-style game of focus and speed. With multiple-choice questions in the middle and answer cards (A, B, C, D) at each corner of the desk, students had one minute to read silently. Then came the physical challenge—when I called out “Head, Shoulders, Table… SNATCH!” they had to perform the movements and grab the correct answer card. It was silly, it was competitive, and best of all—it sharpened reaction time, focus, and question analysis under pressure.

💡 Why It Works

These LEAP Prep Missions combine movement, competition, and collaboration, which boosts student engagement and memory retention. Instead of passively reviewing content, students are actively applying what they’ve learned in creative, game-based formats.

Best of all? The laughter, friendly competition, and sense of accomplishment make test prep feel less like a chore and more like a team mission—which is exactly the kind of energy we need heading into LEAP testing season.

Want to bring this kind of energy to your classroom? Stay tuned—I’ll be uploading materials and guides for each mission so you can try them with your students too!

Let’s make test prep memorable, meaningful, and maybe even… fun. 😉

#LEAPPrep #ClassroomEngagement #TestPrepThatWorks #TeacherLife