As we’re approaching the end of the semester, I noticed that students are tired and ready for winter break. We have learned a lot of vocabulary through stories, clipchats, books, special person interviews, weekend chat, and calendar chat. Because I don’t follow a textbook and I don’t teach using traditional vocabulary lists, I wanted my students to reflect on how much they had learned throughout the semester. I found a delightful way to wrap up the semester with a vocabulary review game that brings fun and reflection into the learning process.
Scattergories is a simple, no-preparation activity. This activity works particularly well with teens and adults and is a great way to practice vocabulary and quick thinking. It’s also a great activity if the teacher needs a little break.
How to Play
- Set the Stage: Begin by announcing a category (e.g., body parts, parts of the house, objects, characters, and food) and set a timer for 50 seconds.
- Brainstorming Frenzy: Students are tasked with jotting down as many words as they can recall related to the given category within the time limit.
- Rotate and Repeat: Once the timer beeps, move on to the next category, and the process repeats. Encourage students to challenge themselves to remember as many words as possible.
- Sharing is Caring: After completing all categories, students pair up and take turns reading their lists to each other.
- Highlighting Connections: Partner A reads words from the first category, and Partner B highlights shared words. The roles then switch, with Partner B reading and Partner A highlighting.
- The Chosen Ones: In each category, students select one standout word. This word is marked with a star, signifying its importance.
- Weaving Words into Stories: The final challenge involves writing a story in the target language. Students incorporate the starred words from each category into their narratives, showcasing their vocabulary knowledge and storytelling skills.
Scattegories with a twist was an engaging and dynamic activity, perfect for a Friday. It’s a game that reinforces vocabulary and fosters quick thinking, collaboration, and creativity.