How to Play
WWI Trench Run v2 is a lane-based runner where your class reviews history while sprinting through a moving trench line. The runner constantly advances, so students focus on reading fast and making confident decisions. Move left or right to avoid obstacles like craters, low barriers, and barbed wire. Each obstacle has a distinct silhouette and telegraph so students can react quickly without memorizing patterns.
Every checkpoint pauses the action for a question. Correct answers grant a short-term advantage such as a score boost or slower obstacle spawns. Incorrect answers create consequences, including fog, increased obstacles, and stamina loss. This keeps the pace high and reinforces careful reading. Stamina acts as lives; losing all stamina ends the run.
Forks appear every few segments. Students must choose between two trench paths, each with a different tactical tradeoff. One path rewards bravery with a higher score multiplier but spawns more obstacles. The other offers a safer run with lower scoring. After choosing, the game immediately asks a question tied to the decision, helping students connect strategy with content.
Controls are built for every classroom device. Use the arrow keys or A/D to change lanes, press Space to jump, and tap on-screen buttons for touch devices. Press P to pause, and students can also use Enter to confirm fork selections when a keyboard is available. The on-screen buttons are oversized for Chromebook touchpads and tablets.
Teacher Guide
Start with the Teacher Settings panel to tailor the review. Mixed Review pulls questions from all topics, while the focus categories target specific units such as the M.A.I.N. causes or the Treaty of Versailles. Use Easy mode for introductions, Standard for daily practice, and Challenge for test prep with no hints and faster obstacles.
Relay Mode is built for team competitions. Set the rotation timer and the number of teams, then run the game through multiple students. When the timer expires, the game pauses and displays a pass prompt so the next player can take over. This keeps the pace lively and ensures every student gets a chance to participate without a noisy scramble.
Question Count is ideal for lesson planning. Ten questions works for a short bell ringer, twenty questions fits a full warm-up, and Endless mode provides ongoing stations practice. Reduced Motion should be enabled for students who prefer fewer animations. Sound can be toggled for quiet classrooms, and speed settings help you match the energy level of your group.
After each run, the report summarizes accuracy by topic and highlights missed concepts. Use this to pick reteaching targets or to assign small-group review. The rematch button immediately launches a missed-only run so students can repair misunderstandings without repeating what they already know.
Learning Targets
WWI Trench Run v2 targets core historical thinking skills. Students identify the causes of World War I, analyze trench warfare conditions, evaluate why the United States entered the conflict, and assess the consequences of the Treaty of Versailles. Each question includes a short explanation to support retrieval practice and immediate feedback.
Topics Covered
- Militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism (M.A.I.N.)
- Life in trenches, technology, and stalemate on the Western Front
- U.S. neutrality, submarine warfare, and the Zimmermann Telegram
- Key battles, total war, and mobilization on the home front
- Terms of the Treaty of Versailles and postwar repercussions
FAQ
How long does a typical run last?
A ten-question run usually takes 6–8 minutes depending on speed and the number of forks. Twenty questions is closer to 12–15 minutes, and Endless mode continues until stamina runs out.
Can students play on their own devices?
Yes. The game is optimized for Chromebooks, tablets, and phones with large buttons and keyboard support. It runs entirely in the browser with no downloads.
What happens when students miss a question?
The game applies a temporary penalty like fog or higher obstacle density and removes one stamina point. The question is saved to the mistake list so students can rematch with only missed items.
Is there a way to track progress without accounts?
The end-of-run report provides immediate analytics. Teachers can screenshot or have students copy their score and accuracy into exit tickets or LMS discussions.
How is branching used for instruction?
Forks are short decision moments. Students choose a safer or riskier path and immediately connect that decision to a question about leadership, strategy, or wartime consequences. It reinforces cause-and-effect thinking.
Does the game include accommodations?
Reduced Motion removes shake effects and softens visual intensity. Hints can be toggled via Easy difficulty, and sound can be turned off for quiet environments.