Word Builders (Vocabulary, All Levels)

 Word Builders

Part 1: The Game

Level and Learning Objectives

The objective of "Word Builders" is to help young learners expand their vocabulary and improve spelling skills while having fun and engaging in friendly competition.


Materials Needed

  • Whiteboard or large piece of paper
  • Marker
  • Set of alphabet cards (letters of the alphabet written on individual cards)
  • Timer

Object of the Game

To write the most correctly spelled words on a topic


Rules

  1. Divide the class into teams of 3-4 students each.
  2. Draw a grid on the whiteboard or paper, with rows and columns labeled with different point values (e.g., 10, 20, 30, 40, 50).
  3. Each team takes turns selecting a point value from the grid.
  4. Once a point value is chosen, the teacher reveals a category (e.g., animals, food, colors).
  5. The teacher then shows a letter card, and each team has 30 seconds to write down as many words related to the category that start with that letter.
  6. Teams earn points for each correctly spelled word.
  7. The game continues until all point values have been selected or until time runs out.
  8. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.

Scorekeeping

Each correctly spelled word in the proper category that begins with the correct letter receives the number of points chosen.


Part 2: Reflection

Word Builders proved to be a highly engaging and motivating game for my young English learners (7th grade). The competitive element of the game, with teams who want to earn the most points, immediately captured their interest and encouraged active participation. The use of categories and letter cards provided structure and focus, guiding students' thinking and prompting them to recall vocabulary related to specific topics. For example, I used it as a revision, before a final exam. Additionally, the time limit added a sense of excitement, motivating students to think quickly and creatively to come up with words within the allotted time. As a result, students were actively engaged in thinking, speaking, and writing in English throughout the game, allowing them to practice and reinforce vocabulary and spelling skills in a fun and interactive way while they use team work as well. Overall, Word Builders proved to be an effective tool for promoting language learning and fostering enthusiasm for English among my young learners. I like to use applications, programmes in my lessons (like learningapps, quizlet, mentimeter etc), but when we create something, in my opinion, it is different. You feel that it is your own and you will also enjoy it more.

 

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