Word Play Game: Bananagrams

Bananagrams are a great classroom tool that I encountered this year.  It's impressive that a cute little banana-shaped pouch turns out to be a fun spelling or word work activity.  What was really interesting to me is that the game is challenging:  the banana pouch is full of letter tiles that students use in a fast-pace race to construct crossword puzzles.  As you see a game being played, it looks a lot like Scrabble, except quicker thinking is involved.


It's a cool game that is a great way to practice spelling, use in a word work center, or just give the class to play for a fun game.  Kids love word games and get really excited while they're playing, which could really liven up a spelling or language arts lesson.   They also learn and get a chance to practice their word skills.  Bananagrams have even won several awards for educational toys.  


There are also some books that help challenge players as they play the game.  Whether you have young elementary students or word-savvy older learners, these books are a guide for playing at the right difficulty level.  You know I love mental exercises for students, so this makes the activity even more appealing to me!  There are also other versions of the game that include apples and pears.


Because of the flexibility, challenge and fun this activity offers, it's been one of my favorite finds so far!  I'm not too shabby at word games, and I really would like to play.


Check out this quick video for a description of the game:

Teaching Tips of the Week (October 11-17)

1. The Roald Dahl Dahlathon is running now through December.  The beloved authors' site is challenging young readers to read three of his books and complete a downloadable reading journal in order to win prizes!
2. Algebra can be engaging to students playing Lure of the Labyrinth!  This unique tool is “a digital game for middle-school pre-algebra students. It includes a wealth of intriguing math-based puzzles wrapped into an exciting narrative game in which students work to find their lost pet - and save the world from monsters!”
3. No matter the grade level, use wordless picture books to assess your students’ mastery of story structure and literary elements.  Have them write short story or reader’s theater script to accompany a wordless picture book.  This lesson idea can get you started.  Not only could this be a great way to express creativity, but this can also help your struggling readers with comprehension.
4.  Science teachers:  consider visiting Wonderville and Proton the Cat when you want your class to apply their studies of sound waves and hearing.  It's a really well-designed site!
5. Amuse your students’ word sense with a list of Tom Swifties.  Use the provided examples to stimulate their word skills, and you could even have students devise their own Tom Swifties using their spelling and vocabulary lists.