Divide the class into the A Team and the B Team. Flip a coin to see who goes first. Keep track of which team is up, what batters have already hit (each batter can only hit once) and how many base hits and runs each team makes.

Directions: Your team gets 3 times at bat. If you correctly guess a question, you move to a base. If your team guesses incorrectly, the other team is up to bat. The team with the most runs at the end of the game wins. Divide the class into Team A and Team B. Then divide the teams into groups of 3-4 students. Flip a coin to see if the A or B Team goes first. The first small group then must agree on the player that bats first. Note this on the board because each batter can only play once in the game. When the question appears, other team members can whisper an answer to the group, but if the answer is heard by the teacher before the group is ready to give an answer, the team loses their turn and the play goes to the other team. Teams have 45 seconds to answer. Play continues until a given time, a given number of runs are achieved, or all batters have played.

Will you take a base? Click one of your teams’ runners and answer the question to find out. #23 #78 #43 #29 #07 #66 #32 #15 #98 #49 #14 #27 A Team B Team

Polytheism is: Answer the question, then click the batter to see if you get to take a base.

A belief in many gods. The A Team gets a single hit! (If you answered incorrectly, you are tagged out and the B Team is up!) OUT! NEXT

The Torah is:

the first 5 books of the Hebrew Bible (Go to 1 st base. If you were wrong, the other team is up!) NEXT OUT!

A nomad is:

a herder who travels from place to place Take 1 base for herder, 2 bases (home run!) for a herder who travels. If you were wrong, the other team is up! If it’s your 3 rd time at bat, the other team is now up. OUT!

A covenant is:

a special agreement between the Israelites and their God Go to 2nd st base. If you were wrong, the other team is up! NEXT OUT!

The Israelites fought with these people for control of Canaan during the 1,000's BC:

the Philistines. It’s a 3 base hit and the one on second comes home! (If you were wrong, the other team is up!) NEXT OUT!

Where was Canaan in relation to Babylonia (N, S, E, W)?

west of Babylonia. A 1 st base hit! Your runner on 3rd goes home! If this is your 3 rd time at bat, the other team is up. If you were wrong, the other team is up and runners do not advance! OUT!

For an out-of-the-park hit, what was the landscape of Canaan like? (describe the plains, hills, slopes and deserts)

fertile plains grassy slopes rocky hills dry deserts Take one base for each correct answer. If you were wrong, the other team is up! NEXT OUT!

When did the Assyrians conquer the kingdom of Israel?

721 BC Take 3 bases. If you were wrong, the other team is up! NEXT OUT!

Who was the first king of Israel?

Saul Take 1 base. If you were wrong, the other team is up! If this is your 3rd time at bat, the other team is up. OUT!

After Saul’s death, the southern kingdom was called?

Judah Take 1 base. If you were wrong, the other team is up! NEXT OUT!

Where does the word "Jew" come from? Answer the question, then click the batter to see if you get to take a base.

It comes from the southern tribe of Judah The B Team gets a triple hit and a home run! If you answered incorrectly, you are tagged out, no runner advances, you have no home run, and the A Team is up. OUT! NEXT

Genesis is the first book of the….?

Genesis is the first book of the Torah - or of the Hebrew Bible - or of the Bible. If you answered one of the above, you have a 1st base hit. Your runner on 3rd comes home. This is your 3rd time up, so now it’s the A Team’s turn! OUT!

The book of Exodus tells the story of the Hebrews’ escape (exit) from …..?

Egypt. If you answered correctly, you have a 3 base hit! If you answered incorrectly, it is B Team’s turn. OUT! NEXT

What did the nickname, “Eber” mean?

Eber meant “from the other side of the river”. It was the nickname given to the Hebrews. If you answered correctly, you have a 1 base hit! Your runner on 3rd comes home. If you answered incorrectly, it is B Team’s turn and you do not have any runs. OUT! NEXT

Abraham was a shepherd who was originally from the city of…?

Abraham was originally from the city of Ur. If you answered correctly, you have a 3 base hit! Your runner on 1st comes home. If you answered incorrectly, it is B Team’s turn and you do not have any runs. OUT!

Judaism is…?

Judaism is the religion (monotheistic) of the Jewish people. If you answered correctly, you have a 3 base hit! If you answered incorrectly, it is A Team’s turn and you do not have any runs. OUT! NEXT

For how many years did King David’s dynasty last?

King David’s dynasty lasted 400 years. If you answered correctly, you have a 1 base hit and your runner on 3rd comes home! If you answered incorrectly, it is A Team’s turn and you do not have any runs. OUT! NEXT

King Solomon’s most famous building project was…?

King Solomon’s most famous building project was the main temple in Jerusalem. If you answered correctly, you have a 3 base hit and your runner on 1st comes home! If you answered incorrectly, it is A Team’s turn and you do not have any runs. OUT!

According to the prophets, the Babylonians overthrew the Jews because…?

The Jews had failed to obey God. If you answered correctly, you have a 2 base hit. If you answered incorrectly, it is B Team’s turn. OUT! NEXT

When did Cyrus the Great take control of Babylon?

Cyrus the Great took control of Babylon in 540 BC. If you answered correctly, you have a 2 base hit. Your runner on 2nd comes home. If you answered incorrectly, it is B Team’s turn and you have no runs. OUT! NEXT

What did Cyrus allow the Jews to do?

Cyrus allowed the Jews to return to Judah. If you answered correctly, you have a 2 base hit. Your runner on 2nd comes home. If you answered incorrectly, it is B Team’s turn and you have no runs. OUT!

When Cyrus was ruling Babylon, who gave leadership to the Jews?

The priests gave leadership to the Jews when Cyrus ruled Babylon. If you answered correctly, you have a 2 base hit. If you answered incorrectly, it is A Team’s turn and you have no runs. OUT! NEXT

What did the Jews call their hoped-for leader who would some day free them from foreign rule?

Their Messiah. If you answered correctly, you have a 1 base hit. If you answered incorrectly, it is A Team’s turn and you have no runs. OUT! NEXT

How many Jews did the Babylonians take back to Babylon?

15,000. If you answered correctly, you have a 3 base hit. Your runners on 1st and 2nd come home! If you answered incorrectly, it is A Team’s turn and you have no runs. OUT!

After Solomon’s death, the Israelite kingdom divided into how many parts?

It was divided into two parts - the southern and northern kingdoms. If you answered correctly, you have a 1 base hit! If you answered incorrectly, it is B Team’s turn. OUT! NEXT

Where does the name “Jew: come from?

It comes from the name “Judah”, the southern kingdom of Israel. If you answered correctly, you have a 3 base hit! Your runner on 1st goes home. If you answered incorrectly, it is B Team’s turn. OUT! NEXT

When Cyrus let the Jews return to Jerusalem, did he let them have their own king again?

No. If you answered correctly, you have a 1 base hit! Your runner on 3rd goes home. If you answered incorrectly, it is B Team’s turn. OUT!

Jeremiah told the Jews they had to do three things if they wanted to avoid God’s judgment. What were those three things?

They were to not oppress the stranger, orphan or widow 2) not shed the blood of innocent people; 3) not follow other gods. Advance one base for each correct answer. OUT!

Who did David kill when he was a boy?

David killed the giant, Goliath. Take one base. If incorrect, A Team takes a turn. OUT! NEXT

What did David kill Goliath with ?

David killed Goliath with a stone (slingshot and a stone). Take one base. If incorrect, A Team takes a turn. OUT! NEXT

What did the Babylonians destroy when they took control of Judah?

They destroyed the city of Jerusalem, and the temple). Take two bases for each right answer. If incorrect, A Team takes a turn. OUT! NEXT

What nation conquered the northern kingdom of Israel?

The nation of Assyria conquered the northern tribe of Israel. You get a 3-base hit! If incorrect, B Team takes a turn. OUT! NEXT

The last king of the united Jewish kingdom was …?

Solomon was the last king of the united kingdom. You hit a home run! Your runner on 3rd also comes home. If incorrect, B Team takes a turn. OUT! NEXT

Who was the first king of the Israelites?

Saul was the first king of the Israelites. You hit another home run! If incorrect, B Team takes a turn. OUT!

What did Cyrus, ruler of Babylon, allow the Jews to do?

Cyrus allowed the Jews in Babylon to return to Judah. You hit a home run! If incorrect, A Team takes a turn. OUT! NEXT

When did the Assyrians conquer the Israelites?

The Assyrians conquered the Israelites in 721 BC. You get a 2-base run. If incorrect, A Team takes a turn. OUT! NEXT

When did the Babylonians conquer the kingdom of Judah?

The Babylonians conquered the kingdom of Judah in 587 BC. You get another 2-base run. The runner on 2nd comes home. If incorrect, A Team takes a turn. OUT!