I created this game in 1986. It has been a favorite of mine.
One bucket will hold all the words. Another bucket will be labeled "5 POINTS." The third container is for "dead words."
I add WORDS all year long...as I am so inspired. I add frequently.
*I add WORDS from ALL content areas, including art, p.e., and music. (like Mondrian, abstract, tempo, vertical, clavicle, digits)
*I don't put all the WORDS listed in the Reading book vocabulary sections, just the ones that seem challenging.
*I add "root study" WORDS. (like quadruped, quadrilateral, quadruplets)
*I add WORDS I use in the classroom ( optional, expeditiously, elaborate)
*I add WORDS suggested by children and/or their parents (peak, abhor)
*I add fun WORDS and WordMaster words ( shroud, beriberi, idioms)
We play the game every three weeks or so. The kids love to play it.
Form 2 teams. We make up team names.
One person at a time (teams alternate taking turns) goes to the front of the room and draws a word from the bucket. The student reads the word. If they can't read it, they may spell it aloud to their team members. Only THAT team may tell him the word. After saying the word, he tells what it means and gives an example. The explanation has to satisfy me. (i.e. "A hexagon is a six-sided shape. A hot tub could be made in the shape of a hexagon.") If he correctly explains the word, his team gets 2 points on the board and the word is considered "dead." If he can't explain it correctly or doesn't know the meaning, the word goes into the 5 POINT bucket and no points are given.
The next student chooses a word from the bucket OR from the 5 POINT bucket (if there are any words in it). There is no peeking, of course and the procedure continues, keeping score on the front board.
The teacher is the judge.
Words are cumulative. Keep all words in the bucket for the whole year.
Students know in advance to be polite and non-judgmental. I explain that they might get up there and just forget!
"Sometimes the meaning may be on the tip of your tongue, but it just doesn't come out. That's OK!"
If someone should decide to make a comment like, "Oh, that was an easy word," then their team would lose points at my discretion (2-5 points).
Kids usually pay close attention because they might get the word in that game (5 PT. BAG) or in another game. It reinforces math concepts, too!
All words are taught prior to being placed in the bucket. There are no surprises.
At the end, everybody claps for everybody.
This year (2008) I appointed a person to write the words on pre-cut cards as words came up in class discussion, or math, or selected literature. I wrote the others.
P.S. Decorate your bucket!
Adaptation: You could allow a student to "pass" if he/she is uncomfortable playing the game. I have offered this option, but no one has ever taken it.
If you color code your words, you can easily pull the MATH words out and play "Math Dip."
If you have any questions, just e-mail: maridee_ryan@allenisd.org
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