Games: why didn't we play games when I was in school? Oh, we were to busy memorizing and defining stuff.

There are all kinds of games that go on in schools, both figuratively and literally. They are a great way to team build, get exercise for the body and the brain and they can also emphasize strengths and weaknesses. Games will be a staple in my classroom, but I would caution anyone against letting games become a time filler. Often times in our school I will see a teacher use a game or video and call it "educational" when truly the students are bored out of their mind. While it might sound simple or easy to parents or those not in education, much thought needs to go into the planning of using a game. You must consider the purpose first, in others words what is the goal you want accomplished or what do you want students to get out of it.

A game that I absolutely love and have used in the classroom is Apples to Apples. (There is also Apples to Apples Jr., I have used both) I strongly recommend this game to EVERYONE no matter the grade, subject, or specialty area. We used it as a vocabulary builder during TAKS study time, but the students ended up loving it so much it became a class goal to work toward each week in order to be able to play it.

Here's the premise: 2 sets of cards (green/red) The green cards are nouns ie Unicorns: A mystical character with one horn and sometimes wings,  with a brief accurate definition. The red cards are adjectives (see already a lesson or reinforcer). Everyone has red cards in their hand and the judge (person judging the cards played, changes every turn) pulls a green card, reads it aloud and the definition (exposure!). Players then look at their hand of red cards and decide which adjective describes the unicorn the best. One student might have the word pretty and play it, another might have the word silly and play it etc. The judge reads all the cards that were put in for unicorn and decides (according to him or her) which description they think fits the best. So if they choose the one that says dorky, again it's their choice and interpretation.

A game like this can be used as an informal assessment of semantics & grammar as well as to test the climate in the classroom. Which kids stand out, are picked on, are helpful etc.

I truly believe any time we can make learning more fun we should and with games it is definitely a possibility. I will again just urge you not to let games become a time killer.