Fly Swat-Make two teams of 5-6 people. Students stand in the front of the classroom with their back to the board. On a piece of chart paper write vocabulary words in different directions. (Keep covered until the game is ready to start.) The first team member in both lines has a fly swatter. The teacher (or a student not on a team) says the word, the definition, an antonym, or synonym and then says go. The students turn around and try to swat the correct word first. Points go to the team that got the word first. The team members pass the fly swatter to the next person and then go to the end of the line. Play continues.
Password-Class is divided into two teams. A stack of index cards with vocabulary words written on them is prepared beforehand. Each team sends a member to the front of the classroom. The member takes a card and tries to get their teammates to guess the word by giving synonyms. The other team does the same. The first team to guess their word gets a point.
Pictionary or Charades-always a good choice.
Snowball Fight-Students are split in two groups. One half of the class is given a word and the other half of the class is given a definition. The students read their paper, wad it up into a ball, and when the teacher says go throws it at the other half of the class. When everyone has thrown their snowball, they pick one up on their side of the room and find their partner.
Vobackulary-A vocabulary word is taped to the back of a student. The student stands with his/her back facing the class. The students take turns giving clues until the student guesses the word.
Definition search-Place the definition on numbered cards and then tape the cards around the classroom. The students number their papers and walk around to find all of the definitions that are hung up. They need to write the word that matches the definition. If they find card number 6, and the definition says tiny, they have to write the word minuscule on their paper at number 6.
Vocabulary Pyramid (similar to the old Ten Thousand Dollar Pyramid game)-Put vocabulary words in a pyramid and number the pyramid blocks. You can have two or four come up at a time (if four come then two guess, while the other two describe). Students start with block one and begin giving clues/definitions to get their teammates to say the correct word. Once a word in a block is correct, they move to the next block. Students are permitted to pass a word if they get stuck, and they can come back to it. They get 1 minute and 30 seconds to get as many words as possible in the pyramid.
Flashlight Game-Words are written on 8.5"x11" paper and put around the room. Students have flashlights. The definitions is given. The teacher says one and all students point their flashlight in the direction of the word and then when the teacher says two they shine the light on the correct word.
I have/Who has?-Create cards that say I have________. Who has the word that means___________? Give each student/pair a card. One student starts and everyone has to pay attention to see when it is their turn.
Matching/Memory-old standbys.
Password-Class is divided into two teams. A stack of index cards with vocabulary words written on them is prepared beforehand. Each team sends a member to the front of the classroom. The member takes a card and tries to get their teammates to guess the word by giving synonyms. The other team does the same. The first team to guess their word gets a point.
Pictionary or Charades-always a good choice.
Snowball Fight-Students are split in two groups. One half of the class is given a word and the other half of the class is given a definition. The students read their paper, wad it up into a ball, and when the teacher says go throws it at the other half of the class. When everyone has thrown their snowball, they pick one up on their side of the room and find their partner.
Vobackulary-A vocabulary word is taped to the back of a student. The student stands with his/her back facing the class. The students take turns giving clues until the student guesses the word.
Definition search-Place the definition on numbered cards and then tape the cards around the classroom. The students number their papers and walk around to find all of the definitions that are hung up. They need to write the word that matches the definition. If they find card number 6, and the definition says tiny, they have to write the word minuscule on their paper at number 6.
Vocabulary Pyramid (similar to the old Ten Thousand Dollar Pyramid game)-Put vocabulary words in a pyramid and number the pyramid blocks. You can have two or four come up at a time (if four come then two guess, while the other two describe). Students start with block one and begin giving clues/definitions to get their teammates to say the correct word. Once a word in a block is correct, they move to the next block. Students are permitted to pass a word if they get stuck, and they can come back to it. They get 1 minute and 30 seconds to get as many words as possible in the pyramid.
Flashlight Game-Words are written on 8.5"x11" paper and put around the room. Students have flashlights. The definitions is given. The teacher says one and all students point their flashlight in the direction of the word and then when the teacher says two they shine the light on the correct word.
I have/Who has?-Create cards that say I have________. Who has the word that means___________? Give each student/pair a card. One student starts and everyone has to pay attention to see when it is their turn.
Matching/Memory-old standbys.
Some of the templates below may seem elementary, but my high schoolers loved playing them. Sunken Treasure and Horse Race were two that they loved to play to review Vocab. Check out the ready made MS Games.
For the link below, there is a printable list of the games.