Vocabulary games are great to get students excited about words & interacting with their word wall. Interaction with vocabulary games builds confidence.
If you missed the first and second edition of my students’ favorites then click on back and check them out.
Just as with the first two sets of vocabulary games we use the box of word cards with these games that have an index card with each word that also has a definition, the word used in context, synonyms, and antonyms written on the back. Some games these cards are necessary for, and other they aren’t, but some of my students use them even when they don’t need to so I always leave them there.
Vocabulary Game #1 Word Toss
This game can be played with three or more players. The first player draws a card and “tosses it up” by reading it out loud. The other students then “toss back” as many attributes of that word as possible including prefixes, suffixes, roots, definitions, using it in a sentence, you get the idea.
The student who tossed up the word then chooses the student who they feel best described the word to award the card to. Game play continues with students switching roles.
The goal of the game is to have the most cards in the end.
Management tip: It is vital that students understand that they need to award the word to the player who best described the word, not their best friend. This is poor sportsmanship and should be called out and corrected immediately.
Vocabulary Game #2 Making Sentences
This game can be played with four or more players and requires one whiteboard and marker for each pair. Students draw a word card and work together to make the best sentence that they can in thirty seconds. Then students share their sentences.
This one sounds pretty dull when written out, but I promise my students get into it!
Vocabulary Game #3 Pyramid
This game can be played with two or more players. The first student draws ten cards and arranges them in a pyramid shape (4-3-2-1) behind a barrier. The barrier can be a file folder on its side. The cards should be placed with the word side up. A timer is set for one minute. The student then starts at the bottom and tries to explain each word to the other players until they can guess it. I encourage my students to remember what they know about the word, but they can also use the other side of the card as well. Students try to work their way to the top of the pyramid within the time allowed.Play continues with a new player drawing ten cards and roles switching.
Management Tip: This one is another one that students tend to get quite boisterous over. Precise modeling of examples and non-examples works wonders!
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