Ed Tech
TikTok is no longer the latest craze amongst students (and adults). Among Us is the new favorite! And teachers, we’re here to show you how to incorporate Among Us into the classroom to up student engagement and make you an instant cool teacher!
Among Us is an online game that requires players to figure out who is an imposter amongst a group of players. Some players (known as crewmates) must complete tasks while playing, while the assigned imposter’s main task is to kill all other players. Players must look for clues to figure out who the imposter is. At the end of the game, players vote to guess who the imposter is.
Students are instantly engaged when they realize their teacher knows about their favorite video game or phone app. Teachers have found some really creative ways to incorporate Among Us into the classroom, and students are LOVING it!
Here are 10 ways teachers are using Among Us in the classroom.
1. Plan a virtual escape room activity that is Among Us themed.
Via: Witty Name TBA
Students are assumed to be the imposter in this version of the classroom game. The teacher will prepare 15 questions and/or puzzles for students to solve individually, in small groups, or as a whole class. In order to “escape” as the imposter, students must answer the questions or solve the puzzles.
Questions can review content or be used to challenge certain students. As students answer questions correctly (or “complete tasks,” as they would call it in the real game of Among Us), they will get closer to escaping.
But, if questions are answered incorrectly, they risk being caught and losing the game! If students miss three questions, game over!
Want more information on this? Check out this premade Google Forms option!
2. Use Among Us in math to have students determine an imposter amongst various numbers.
For example, write a standard number, like 82, in the middle of a piece of paper. Then, list other forms of the number around the standard form. One of the listed forms should be an imposter that doesn’t belong. So, you might list “eighty-two”, “80+2”, and “eighteen.” Students would then decide which number is the imposter, which in this case is “eighteen.”
3. Decorate your classroom with an “Among Us” theme
Via: @theartoffunology
Check out this cool Among Us classroom door! Get your students in on the decorating. Having time to work on the designs can be part of your classroom rewards. Check out more amazing classroom door decorations here.
4. Download Gimkit for your students in order to play an academic version called Trust No One.
With a 30 day free trial, or just $4.99 a month, you can play all kinds of academic games in real-time with students via Gimkit. Students simply enter a game code on the website, similar to how Kahoot works. Recently, Gimkit developed their own version of Among Us where students will answer given questions in order to gain more power. They titled their version of the game Trust No One.
5. Use a Google Slides template to play a review game.
Via: Ms. Pat
Enter review questions for students to answer on an Among Us themed template. If students get the right answer, they move on in the game. We recommend the template from Miss5thClassroom, which is only $2 and totally customizable. You can also check out Ms. Pat’s Store for a video preview of what to expect when using the Among Us Google Slides templates.
6. Use chatbox and voting features, like in Among Us, in Zoom or Google Meet to debate topics in Social Studies.
In Among Us, players have a chat room where they debate who the imposter is, giving reasons for why they think a certain player is an imposter. They must use strong communication skills to convince other players to align with them. Players vote on who they think was the imposter at the end of the game.
Use a similar format to improve classroom debate and discussion. Set up chat rooms or breakout rooms so students can discuss their opinions on topics you assign and defend their thinking with reasoning. At the end of a debate, create a Zoom poll to do a final class vote based on the debate.
(If you’re teaching in person, this can be done in small groups.)
7. Plan an Among Us scavenger hunt!
Secretly assign students the role of crewmate or imposter. Place task cards around the classroom for students to solve independently. Tasks might include a review of content as well as clues to where to find the next task card.
For example, imposters could be told to secretly complete tasks incorrectly, like solving a multiplication problem with common mistakes. The goal should be to make simple mistakes that won’t draw too much suspicion. Because getting some answers incorrect is normal, but too many is “sus.” After students complete their tasks, they’ll reconvene in a small group and check each other’s work. A meeting will then take place where students can share with the class if they believe the imposter was in their group when checking each other’s work.
Finally, students will vote on the imposter. The imposter loses if the majority of the class votes for them. The imposter wins if they are not voted on!
8. Do a close reading lesson with articles about the game.
Popular websites, like Newsela, have articles about Among Us that can be printed or read aloud. When students are given texts with a huge picture of their favorite game on the front page, their eyes will immediately light up. You’ll instantly be the cool teacher just for knowing about the hottest apps!
Take this opportunity to practice close reading. Determine and discuss:
- main ideas
- the theme of the text
- author’s point of view
- author’s purpose in writing the text
Have students mark the text with their thoughts for discussion. There are also tons of options on Teachers Pay Teachers that can be downloaded for close reading lessons related to Among Us.
9. Create a behavior management system to distinguish “crewmates” and “imposters.”
At the start of each day, secretly choose a student, aka “crewmate,” and don’t tell the class who it is. Watch the student closely throughout the day to see if they are completing all “tasks.” If they do, the teacher can reveal the crewmate at the end of the day and reward him/her accordingly.
If the student does not complete all tasks during the day to the best of his/her ability, the teacher will announce that today’s chosen student ended up being an “imposter” and the name cannot be revealed and no reward will be given.
10. Put up a COVID safety poster with an Among Us classroom theme.
Download these for free!
It doesn’t matter how you choose to incorporate Among Us into your classroom. Kids are going to be elated by any and all of it!
Here’s a great tutorial if you still don’t quite understand the game. Or just ask students to explain it to you!
