I have a question. For example, if Team A gives Team B 'superstitious', and Team B could not spell it, wouldn't Team A already know how to spell the word since they looked it up? Trying to resolve this before I give it a go in my classroom.
You question is answered in the intructions. When a person guesses wrong the person who "said" superstitious can "spell" it out for the other team and give his/her team a point. Then the game progresses.
Actually, it's not. If students are looking up words in a dictionary to give to the other team, then they are going to find the hardes words and when the other team can't spell them, the other teams is already going to know how to spell them because they just looked them up. So basically the opposite team is almost never going to know how to spell most of the words. Words should definately come from the students memory, or if they look them up they have to pronounce them right to the other team with no help from the teacher.
You can change the rules to suit the needs of your individual class. Here are some options:
Don't allow students to use a dictionary during the game.
They have to look up and memorize any words they want to use before class. This will help them learn new words and get used to using a dictionary, which will benefit them even if the words they look up are not common ones.
Allow students to use the glossary at the back of their textbook.
This will help reinforce words they learned in class and encourage them to look up words in the glossary they haven't studied yet. It's hard to overstate the importance of getting students to practice using their textbook glossary and this habit will definitely help them down the line!
Allow advanced-beginner or intermediate students to use a basic dictionary in class.
There are lots of basic dictionaries for new learners, and any words in it will be at a basic level to ensure the words aren't impossibly difficult for the other team to guess.
Allow advanced students to use a dictionary during the game.
Advanced students may be able to guess the spelling of a word they haven't heard before based on it's pronunciation, just like native-speakers do in trivia board games that have a category for vocabulary.
This sounds like an easy, relaxing and fun game.
With regards the dictionary rule, perhaps students could be allowed to look for words in dictionaries / the textbook glossary, but when it comes to spelling the word (following a failed attempt by another team) the student must write it on the board or speak it out WITHOUT the use of any book. Books should be closed once the word is initially posed to the other team, so that when the incorrectly spelled word returns for the posing team to spell, they have had a chance to forget it (a few minutes maybe?). If they do remember a particularly long or difficult word, then the game has served its purpose!
Thanks for this good game idea, I'll try it soon.
Comments
I have a question. For
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
I have a question. For example, if Team A gives Team B 'superstitious', and Team B could not spell it, wouldn't Team A already know how to spell the word since they looked it up? Trying to resolve this before I give it a go in my classroom.
I don't think the teams are
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
I don't think the teams are allowed to look up words. Both teams are using vocabulary words from memory.
Nayyyy!
Submitted by Big Steve (not verified) on
Nayyyy!
You question is answered in
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
You question is answered in the intructions. When a person guesses wrong the person who "said" superstitious can "spell" it out for the other team and give his/her team a point. Then the game progresses.
umm
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Actually, it's not. If students are looking up words in a dictionary to give to the other team, then they are going to find the hardes words and when the other team can't spell them, the other teams is already going to know how to spell them because they just looked them up. So basically the opposite team is almost never going to know how to spell most of the words. Words should definately come from the students memory, or if they look them up they have to pronounce them right to the other team with no help from the teacher.
Using Dictionaries for English Word Games
Submitted by I on
You can change the rules to suit the needs of your individual class. Here are some options:
Don't allow students to use a dictionary during the game.
They have to look up and memorize any words they want to use before class. This will help them learn new words and get used to using a dictionary, which will benefit them even if the words they look up are not common ones.
Allow students to use the glossary at the back of their textbook.
This will help reinforce words they learned in class and encourage them to look up words in the glossary they haven't studied yet. It's hard to overstate the importance of getting students to practice using their textbook glossary and this habit will definitely help them down the line!
Allow advanced-beginner or intermediate students to use a basic dictionary in class.
There are lots of basic dictionaries for new learners, and any words in it will be at a basic level to ensure the words aren't impossibly difficult for the other team to guess.
Allow advanced students to use a dictionary during the game.
Advanced students may be able to guess the spelling of a word they haven't heard before based on it's pronunciation, just like native-speakers do in trivia board games that have a category for vocabulary.
Dictionary rule suggestion
Submitted by Jammer (not verified) on
This sounds like an easy, relaxing and fun game.
With regards the dictionary rule, perhaps students could be allowed to look for words in dictionaries / the textbook glossary, but when it comes to spelling the word (following a failed attempt by another team) the student must write it on the board or speak it out WITHOUT the use of any book. Books should be closed once the word is initially posed to the other team, so that when the incorrectly spelled word returns for the posing team to spell, they have had a chance to forget it (a few minutes maybe?). If they do remember a particularly long or difficult word, then the game has served its purpose!
Thanks for this good game idea, I'll try it soon.
Great ideas...let us know how
Submitted by I on
Great ideas...let us know how it goes!
Teacher...spell "definitely."
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Teacher...spell "definitely."
Pages