Saturday, October 18, 2014

Vocabulary Victims -- A Vocabulary Review Game

I'm excited to link up with my friend, Joanne from Head Over Heels for Teaching, for her Saturday linky party, Spark Student Motivation.
Are you looking for a fun, easy way to help your students practice their vocabulary words?  Vocabulary Victims is the answer! (I know the name 'Vocabulary Victims' sounds like a bad thing....I was going for alliteration here! :)  It is not as painful as it sounds.)

Here's how it works...

1.  Choose a student to become the 'victim.'  In my class, I draw a number stick so it is completely random.  This way, everyone has an equal chance of participating, not just the kids who raise their hands.

2.  The student comes to the front of the room and sits in a chair with their back to the board.

3.  Write a vocabulary word on the board.  

 4.  Students in the audience (the rest of the class) raise their hands to offer definitions or clues to the meaning of the word.  They cannot say the word (obviously, but they do need this reminder), but they can give a definition, an example, a synonym, an antonym, etc.

5.  The 'victim' calls on two students to offer clues. (I like for two students to offer clues, but you could do more or less depending on your students or the quality of clues being offered.)

6.  After the two clues, the 'victim' tries to guess the word that was written on the board.  A quick turn around by the 'victim' confirms their guess as right or wrong.

7.  Repeat as needed.

I use this game to review for science and social studies tests, math vocabulary, Flocabulary words. etc.  It is also a fun way to review synonyms and antonyms because you can require the students who are giving the clues to only offer these as hints.

My students LOVE this game and it is so simple to play!  No prep, no stress!

For a little teacher motivation today, I am headed to the Midwest Blogger Meet Up in Palatine, IL.  I'm looking forward to meeting many of the awesome teacher bloggers from the midwest area!
Have a great day!

6 comments:

  1. I love vocabulary games. We played Pictionary this week to review our vocabulary. When I asked for the first volunteer to draw, you won't believe how many hands went up, and they are in high school! It is also no prep. I will have to try this one with my kiddos next time. Have fun at your blogger meet up!
    Brynn Allison
    Brynn Allison's Blog

    ReplyDelete
  2. I didn't know you were going to the meet-up today! I was supposed to go, but I totally dropped the ball on registering... and it's only 30 min away! It would have been great to meet you!

    ReplyDelete
  3. This sounds like tons of fun! Perfect for any age! Hope to see lots of pics from your meet-up!

    -Lisa
    Mrs. Spangler in the Middle

    ReplyDelete
  4. THis is great! I've heard this game called "Hot Spot" but my reading class has alliterations going on for the names of their groups that I would totally use "Vocabulary Victims!"
    Steph
    Simple Insights

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love your name Vocabulary Victim! Such a quick, fun game that's effective for learning...perfect for review or five minute fillers! Thanks for sharing and linking up my friend! I hope you had fun at your meet up! I wish we could meet! :)
    Joanne
    Head Over Heels For Teaching

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hope you had a great time at the blogger meet up - that is a lot of states to cover!
    This game is awesome! I think anytime students have to do the questioning or teaching or thinking really instead of just listening to the teacher is motivating!! (plus sometimes I need a break from my own voice!)

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time for stopping by! I would love it if you would leave me a comment to let me know that you were here. (Please make sure that you are not a "No Reply Blogger" so that I can email you back.)