Have you ever played Taboo or Catch Phrase? These are two of my favorite party games. Basically, you give clues to your team to help them guess the mystery word. Sooo much fun!
I have incorporated this game in my classroom for review of academic vocabulary or content in all subject areas. The kids love it and it takes zero prep work so I love it too!
Here we go:
1) Students choose partners. One partner sits in a chair facing away from the projector screen. The other partner stands in front of them waiting for the word list.
2) Teacher puts up word list. Students give any clues they can to help their partner guess the words in order. (I write the lists write on the spot and include a mix of words from things we have been studying and some words just for fun.)
Sample List:
- erosion
- factor
- hippopotamus
- fraction
- weathering
- renewable resource
- Cinderella
3) Students have 2 minutes to give clues and help their partner guess all the words. I will stop time early if it looks like the kids have breezed through everything.
4) We quickly discuss the kinds of clues that were given for the academic words. How did you get your partner to guess fraction? What words did you use to describe renewable resources?
5) Partners switch roles and participate in another round. I usually mix in some of the same words on each word list so that the really important words get reviewed over and over again.
You can play as many rounds as you want and use this fun activity to review for any subject. Have fun!
