Reading Pac-Man

Guide your reader through a retro arcade-style maze while answering middle school ELA questions. Choose a skill set, let students play through quick rounds of questions, and use the game as a low-pressure way to keep grades 6–8 reading skills sharp.

Reading Pac-Man — Arcade-Style Reading Game (Grades 6–8)

Reading Pac-Man turns middle school reading practice into an arcade challenge. Students navigate a maze, collect points, and pause for short, standards-aligned questions that build comprehension, close reading, and ELA test-readiness for grades 6–8.

Why middle school ELA teachers use it

  • 🕹️

    Feels like a game, not a worksheet

    Students move through a classic maze, dodge “ghosts,” and unlock question moments, so practice feels like an arcade session instead of another silent reading handout.

  • 📖

    Built on real middle school standards

    Question sets are written for grades 6–8 and align with core reading expectations, helping students work with short texts and questions they’ll recognize from class and tests.

  • 🎯

    Flexible skill packs

    Start with core comprehension and evidence-based questions, then plug in additional skills as new topics are added—without changing the game flow students already love.

  • 🧪

    Perfect for stations, warmups, or review

    Use Reading Pac-Man for bell-ringers, centers, test-prep blocks, or quick intervention rounds whenever you want reading practice that feels fresh but still rigorous.

How Reading Pac-Man works

  1. 1 Pick a middle school reading set (for example, comprehension or evidence-based questions) at the grade level you need.
  2. 2 Students move through the maze, collecting points and triggering question pop-ups as they play.
  3. 3 For each question, students read a short text or snippet and choose the best answer before the game continues.
  4. 4 Use their responses and success in the maze as a quick check on who’s ready and who needs a bit more support.

Who it’s built for

Reading Pac-Man is designed for grades 6–8 ELA classes, small groups, tutoring, and intervention. It also works well for advanced 5th graders who are ready for middle school–style reading questions in a fun, arcade setting.

What students practice

  • Reading Comprehension (Short Texts)
  • Close Reading & Text-Based Questions
  • Using Details & Evidence from the Text
  • Multiple-Choice ELA Test-Style Items
  • Stamina & Focus in a Game Format

New middle school ELA skill sets can be added over time, so the game grows with your curriculum without changing the core Pac-Man experience.

FAQ

Is Reading Pac-Man made for middle school?

Yes. This version of Reading Pac-Man is tuned for grades 6–8, with question sets and texts written at a middle school level so it fits right into your ELA block.

What skills does it target right now?

Currently, the game focuses on core reading skills like comprehension, using details from the text, and answering multiple-choice ELA questions. Additional skills and topics can be layered in using new question sets.

Where does Reading Pac-Man fit in my lesson?

Use it as a reading center, small-group station, bell-ringer, early-finisher option, or test-prep review game whenever you want quick, engaging practice instead of another worksheet.