Footprints Recruiting

Vocabulary Games for All Ages

When it comes to the end of your unit lesson and time to make sure the kids picked up on all the new vocabulary words (reading and spelling) try these two games out – it will make the review fun and exciting for you and the students!

Game One: Circle Game

Divide your white board/chalk board up into two sections – Team A and Team B. Write the same vocabulary words under each team make sure to place the words all over the board in random places; do not put them in a single line. Once you have placed all your vocabulary words on each side of the board, split your students up into two equal groups. Sometimes splitting them up into girls vs boys or just random selection helps to switch up the students and gets them out of their usual pair ups.

Get the two lines to stand back from the board and the first two people at the head of the line gets a piece of chalk/marker – then at the count of 3 you say the vocabulary word in which they have to race to the front and circle first. The team that circles the correct word then gets a point under their team name. Proceed throughout the line until each student has had a chance and all the vocabulary words are circled. Watch your markers as students sometimes get a little into it and will ram the marker into the board which results in the teacher losing their marker.

Game Two: Spelling Game

You can play this game once you have completed the circle game. Break your students into two separate lines, standing them a few steps back from the board. Split the board into two sections again, Team A and Team B.

Make a list of all the current vocabulary words for you to refer to, do not let the kids see your list. Give each student at the front of the line a piece of chalk/marker and at the count of 3 yell out the word in which they have to spell. The first two will run to the board and the first student to spell the word correctly earns a point for their team. Proceed through your list and until each individual has had a turn. Again, watch your marker and chalk pieces as the students get a little aggressive!

Points to Remember:

When you divide up your class make sure that the teams are equal in caliber and you can tell your students that they can help one and another, but only one member from the team can be at the board. So the students standing back can help them sound the word out and help with location.

Depending on your class and age the students can get a bit aggressive and ‘into’ the game so watch out. I have had great success with both of these games and would get constant requests from all age groups to play the ‘circle game’ and the ‘spelling game’ – try it out and see how your students like it!

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