Word Work Center: Boggle Board

If you're like me, you enjoy word games.  Because of this, I was delighted to see an abundance of Pinterest posts showing adorable word work centers styled after the Boggle game.


Arrange letters on a wall (or a wall, desk, cabinet... I've seen some pretty nifty use of space with these!), embedding spelling words, sight words, vocabulary or "bonus" words for students to find using the same rules used to play Boggle.  I love a comment on 4thGradeFrolics that suggested making one word using all the letters posted (related to something being taught in class or a seasonal concept) and challenging students to work on it when they have free time.  You can change the letters at intervals and present a new challenge to students.


It's like a more creative version of a word find.  Check out MrsRojasTeaches helpful printout that offers students a place to record the words they find.

3 examples found on pinterest

Fun Online Word Game

How long will it take you to find words made of only 4 letters? 4 letters sounds simple enough, but this word game still provides a good way to challenge your linguistic skills. The words are formed by sliding the "strips" up and down and making the letters selected form actual words. You can choose either a normal or relaxed pace while playing.
If students are looking for a fun game online, or need a word work center, try this game and see how well they know some of our language's shortest words.

image: microsoft

Sparkle: The Spelling Game

This is a whole-class spelling game that I played with a class last week.  It is very fun and got them excited to practice their spelling words.  I would recommend it to any teacher looking for a way to enliven their spelling lesson or give students something fun and productive to do with the entire class.

The game is called Sparkle.  The particular teacher I was subbing for had a cute little wand made especially for games like this, which I used to point at students on their turn to keep the rhythm going quickly.

For this game, it's probably better to play when a spelling test is approaching because it's good for students to have some familiarity with the words, as opposed to playing the day you give them the new list.  Having time to study and learn the words will help them play better.

First, everyone can stand or sit in a circle.  The class I was subbing just formed a big circle around the classroom.  Pick a word from the list and a person to start the game.  Say the word, and the first student says the first letter of the word.  The next student says the next letter of the word on and on around the circle until the final letter is spoken.  After that, the next student says, "sparkle," a signal of the completion of the spelling word.  The student next to the one who says "sparkle" then sits down.  They are out.  Give the class the next word.  The same thing happens with each student providing one letter from the word, one student saying "sparkle" once the word is completed, and the next student sitting down. 

Students are also out and sit down if they do not give the correct letter for the word, or if they hesitate too long because they don't know.  You can decide how to proceed when students make mistakes.  The next student will have to give the correct letter to the word, and this sometimes results in several people having to sit down because they've forgotten the word or weren't paying attention to the letters already guessed.  After several people have guessed the wrong letters, you may choose a different word and come back to it.  At the end of the game, make note of the words that gave the class particular trouble so that they can practice with them more before the spelling test.  You can continue playing the game until one winner is left from all the players.




The game eliminates players as much from chance (their position in the circle after someone says "sparkle" means they have to sit down, even if they know how to spell all their words) as it does from mistakes.  Let students who sit down know you will play the game often and that it's not a big deal for them to lose one round.

Some students told me they have also played a version of the game where they sit on top of their desks and go around the room spelling the letters, and sit down in their seats when they are out.  This would also be a nice game to play outside on good weather days.  Do whatever works for you.  The kids really liked the game and it gave them much-needed time to work with their spelling words.  I enjoyed leading the game.  Try it!

image: microsoft

Using Captain Underpants in the Classroom

I came up with this idea after seeing what must now be hundreds of Dav Pilkey books in classrooms.  Boys in elementary school seem to have their eyes permanently affixed to Pilkey’s various graphic novels, and I think many would enjoy any classroom activity that uses the stories.

Pilkey has written several popular series, including the Captain Underpants and Ricky Ricotta’s Mighty Robot books.

I’m most familiar with the Captain Underpants books.  The books contain a series of what the author calls “mini-comics” created by a few of the characters.  Pilkey says he wants to inspire kids to create stories without worrying about perfection.  It’s a noble endeavor; many kids forsake the writing process, and expressing their ideas creatively, simply because they struggle with spelling and grammar.

At the same time, there’s nothing wrong with giving students a bit of practice with spelling and grammar, especially if you’re using one of their favorite books.  One of the issues many kids have with spelling or “sentence editing” practice is that they are bored with the typical skills practice sheets and language arts texts. 

Try using those Captain Underpants novels instead!  The “mini-comics” are full of spelling and grammatical errors.  Here are a few example pages.  Kids who enjoy the novel can engage in a “scavenger hunt” activity to find a certain amount of mistakes in each of the mini-comics, rewrite the sentences correctly, and check their responses with a partner.  Chances are they will be more engaged by the activity because they are using an enjoyable text rather than a dull worksheet.  This is essentially the same method used by Caught'ya! and other story-based editing activities, but Pilkey novels (and others like them) offer the chance to use stories that are likely already familiar to and beloved by students.

 The activity could be a writing center or “word work” station.

Here are a few more ideas:

·      Follow Pilkey’s example and encourage students to create their own “mini-comics.”   You can have them make purposeful mistakes to trade with a partner and “hunt” for errors, or they can be a chance to write and create stories without worrying about corrections.

·      For a more challenging activity that explores the use of voice in writing, ask students to work backwards with the mini-comic format, translating correct sentences or scenes from another book into a comic created by George and Harold.

·      Use the official teacher’s guide to Pilkey novels.  This spelling/grammar editing is actually recommended within it, so it looks like my idea is on the right track!  There are also tons of other activities listed, such as writing a letter to a favorite character, as well as designing a robot and creating an advertisement for its design.  There are also discussion questions for several of Pilkey’s novels.

·      Visit Pilkey’s official website for a lot of other information on him and his work.  There are several games on the site based on the books.  If you have Pilkey fans in your class, keep these computer games in mind as a possible reward or incentive.

-Veronica

Top 5 Teaching Tips of the Week (August 30-September 5)

1.  Learn how an inexpensive item that’s probably already in your classroom could be useful in an even wider variety of activities thanks to Post-it's Teacher Site.  You can browse and see dozens of ways to use Post-It notes in your daily lessons.  Some of the more popular ideas are the Birthday Booklet, Classroom Stationary, and the Hidden Message Board.  Be sure to check Post-it's Bright Ideas for ways to use their other products for activities.  Also?  Coupons! 

2.   If you’re looking for a way to show students that science and technology are useful for many careers, try taking a peek at Packetville, an interactive game with many lesson plans and educational activities.  Designed for students age 8-14, the site helps make science even more engaging to students.  Girls can also be inspired by the particular praise female scientists are given on the site.  Visit the Educator's page to get ideas on how to implement activities.

3.   Learn how a game of musical chairs, glow in the dark paint, or even a parachute could help students with their spelling words in these fun review activities. 

4.   Looking for a way to spark journal writing?  Laura Gartung suggests Monthly Journal Bingo, which cleverly motivates students to complete daily journal entries.  Log in to TeachersPayTeachers and download the free instructions and a sample Bingo Board for the activity.  You can easily adapt this idea for the upper-grades, workstations, unit studies, and for different subjects.  (*Subs:  If you need a classroom activity, use this as a writing assignment.  Have students complete a “Bingo” row by responding to their prompt choices.)  

5.   Nutrition Explorations offers some great ways to teach various grade levels about nutrition and health.  The site has complete lesson plans and activities to help students make positive food choices. 

Find any good tips?  Let me know about them, and I'll be sure to credit you!