Classroom Games
A set of JENGA blocks that are colored on the ends of the blocks is necessary for Grammar JENGA. I used acrylic paint, but sharpie markers would work well for this purpose. Once you have a set with colored ends, you can play limitless versions of this game with any subject matter! My sentence mechanics review game is just one example.
BINGO suggestions: I purchase Smarties candies in bulk so students can use the candies as BINGO markers. When marking cards with pens or pencils instead, have students use a different type mark for each round. For example, have them underline the terms in the first round, circle them in the second round, and cross them out in the third round. That way multiple rounds can be played on the same card.
Classroom and Essay BINGO are played by having students write one term in each BINGO square. The game moderater, then, calls out a definition of each term in turn. The student who marks five consecutive terms in a row (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, calls BINGO. The game moderator must check the student's terms against their list of called terms to determine if the student is a winner.
I keep a set of Icebreaker BINGO cards on hand all year because I never know when I'll need a quick time filler. But, obviously, it works well at the beginning of the year when students are getting to know each other. I purposefully attached an editable version here so that you can easily switch descriptions to match your group's characteristics. Mine is calibrated for high school students in Florida.
This activity is fun whether or not your students have just read Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography. I print the original sayings in one color and the modern translations in another color. Instructions: cut out original and modern translation cards. Mix up cards. Game 1 (easy): Simply match original aphorisms to their modern equivalents. Game 2 (difficult): Turn all cards upside down and play as a memory matching game.