Looking for Two Truths and a Lie science review ideas?
What happens a lot in your classroom? Probably review! It’s great to review throughout the year because, let’s face it, students forget stuff, and you might too. It’s just what our brains do sometimes.
It’s also great to review at the end of the year. There is SO much stuff your students have had to learn, and now it’s time to help them remember it if they don’t already.
One of the coolest review games to play is “Two Truths and a Lie”. This is an engaging activity that really gets students thinking and falls right into bringing the WOW Factor to your science classroom!
What is Two Truths and a Lie?
“Two Truths and a Lie” is often used as an icebreaker game, but it can easily be made into a review for any topic.
To use as an icebreaker, one person comes up with three statements about themselves, and one of them is a lie.
For example, they may say:
- I grew up with three cats.
- I ate blueberry bagels for breakfast this morning.
- My favorite color is pink.
The other person then guesses which one of those statements is false!
It truly is an engaging way to get to know someone.
So, how can we use this idea for science review?
Two Truths and a Lie Science Edition
In the science classroom, students can analyze statements, debunk some myths, and strengthen their knowledge in a fun way!
Here are some examples of Two Truths and a Lie science statements that students could investigate:
Plant and Animal Cells
- The nucleus is the control center of the cell.
- The cytoskeleton helps the cell maintain its shape.
- The Golgi apparatus produces ribosomes. (the lie)
Gravity
- Gravity is a force that pulls objects toward the center of the Earth.
- The Moon has a stronger gravity than the Earth. (the lie)
- The more mass an object has, the stronger the gravitational pull.
Electric Circuits
- A closed circuit allows electricity to flow.
- Batteries store energy.
- An open circuit allows electricity to flow. (the lie)
You can create several of these to play a review game with your students. You can even have students create their own!
Looking for pre-made “Two Truths and a Lie” science cards? They are coming to the Bright in the Middle Membership. Kayla, the owner of Bright in the Middle, has challenged herself to create at least 10 sets by the end of April 2025 – stay tuned for more engaging classroom resources!
Ways to Play “Two Truths and a Lie”
Three Corners
Setup
- Create or collect a set of cards, each with three statements related to science topic. Make sure one of the statements is false and the other two are true.
- Label three areas around the classroom: 1, 2 and 3.
- Decide whether you will be in charge of reading the statements or if you’d like a student volunteer to.
How to Play
- Read out the three statements from a card (or have the student volunteer to).
- Students move to the corner they think is the lie.
- Tell students the answer!
- Students who were correct will either earn a point or stay in the game. You can choose how you want to play!
- You or your students can then explain why the statement is a lie.
- Repeat until all cards are used.
Why This is a Great Idea
- This is a great way to bring more movement into your classroom. This gets students’ blood pumping and keeps them engaged.
- This is a great way to have a whole class discussion about misconceptions.
- This allows for whole-class participation. Each student has to actively think about each of the three statements.
Hot Potato
Setup
- Find an item to use as the “hot potato”. It could be a plastic brain, a ruler, a magnet, or even an actual potato!
- Prepare a playlist or bring up some music online. Make sure it’s classroom-appropriate music!
- Have your set of “Two Truths and a Lie” cards ready.
How to Play
- Students sit in a circle and pass the “hot potato” around while the music is playing.
- Once the music stops (you or another student controls), the student holding the item selects a card and reads the three statements aloud.
- Each student will write down which of the statements they believe it the lie.
- You can reveal the answer. If students answered correctly, then they can earn a point.
- Students will keep up with their scores on their own scorecard. (God is watching!)
- You will repeat this until all of the cards have been used.
- After each card, discuss why “the lie” is incorrect.
Why This is a Great Idea
- This incorporates so many different senses! It’s auditory, kinesthetic, and visual!
- There is an element of surprise and excitement in not knowing when the music is going to stop.
- This helps students practice their listening skills.
- All students get to participate in answering the questions.
- It promotes quick thinking!
Around the Room
Setup
- Collect your “Two Truths and a Lie” cards and distribute them around the room. You can lay them on desks, tape them to the wall, etc.
- Give students a recording sheet.
How to Play
- Each student will stand next to a card with their answer sheet and a pencil. Each card will need a student. If there are more students than cards, students can pair up.
- Say GO! They will then have one minute to figure out which of the statements is a lie and record their answer.
- You will say “switch!”, and students will rotate to the next card.
- This will continue until all students have looked at all of the cards.
- At the end, review what the answers are and discuss any ones that students found tricky or even surprising!
Why This is a Great Idea
- This gets students up and moving. Their blood is pumping, and this helps them to think. It also helps them to focus.
- This allows students to analyze the statements independently first, then they discuss them as a group.
- This works well as a station-based review activity
Classic
Setup
- Have your sets of “Two Truths and a Lie” cards ready. Also, give students an answer sheet.
- Decide whether your students will play individually, in pairs, or in groups.
How to Play
- Students will take turns drawing a card and reading the three statements out loud.
- The rest of the group (or person) will discuss and determine which statement is false. Then, they record their answer.
- The classic game will continue until all of the cards have been used.
- After each round, encourage students to discuss their reasoning behind their choices.
- After the whole class finishes, discuss the cards that were tricky or surprising.
Why This is a Great Idea
- This allows for deeper discussion. Nothing is timed, so there is more time to take a deep dive into correct and incorrect answers.
- This can easily be modified for different class sizes.
- This works great as a formative assessment tool.
- It’s a “chill” way to play a review game.
Each of these unique ways to play will engage students in reinforcing any topic in science. There are ways to incorporate movement, discussion, and even a little competition!
I hope your students enjoy this! If you’re looking for those pre-made cards, you can check them out inside of the Bright in the Middle Membership! You can even request a topic 😊.
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