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Teaching Ideas Times Three

© Irene Taylor

Over the years I've developed and used some quick teaching ideas to review skills and teach valuable lessons. Some have been used as those five minute fillers, others quickly became some of the kids' favorite games. Here are three quick ideas for practicing vocabulary, reviewing for test and teaching initiative.

Secret Word Game

This game is a fun way for students to review vocabulary. To prepare for play, make vocabulary cards by writing words to be practiced on index cards. Explain to the class that the object of the game is for one team mate to try to guess the team's Secret Word after being given clues to the meaning by the rest of the team. The team that needs the fewest clues to guess its Secret Word is the winner.

To play:

1. Divide the class into teams. This game can be played with 2 or 3 large teams, Or several smaller teams.

2. Send the first student from Team One into the hall. Have Team One choose a word from the prepared vocabulary cards, and agree on several clues as to the meaning.

3. Have the student in the hall return to the class. Tell team mates to take turns giving vocabulary clues without actually stating the definition of the selected word. Have students give clues until the word is guessed. The team receives one point for each clue needed to determine the word.

4. Continue to play, and keep score, with members of alternating teams having a turn to guess their team's Secret Word. When all words have been used, the team with the lowest score is the winner.

Test Review Game

Prior to play, write review questions on the fronts of 20-25 5"x8" index cards. On the back of each card assign a point value for the question. Points can be assigned completely at random, or can take into account the difficulty of each question. Keeping the point values close (1, 2, or 3 points) will make for a more exciting game, but throw in one or two higher point questions to add to the fun.

Attach the cards to the chalkboard in a 4x5 or 5x5 array with the question sides facing the students. Divide the class into two teams. Have students take turns coming to the board, selecting a question, reading it to the class, and answering it. If the student answers correctly, award his team the number of points on the back of the card. If the student answers incorrectly, the card remains

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