This is a follow up on the word formation game I made last month. It extends the game and reinforces the importance of spelling. I’ve also included a new set of cards with adjectives.
You can also download a Powerpoint template to make your own version.
The first part of the game remains unchanged – you can read the instructions here: word formation game: noun suffixes – and come back for the second part of the game.
While students are playing the game, quickly draw a table on the whiteboard. It should have the same layout as the game board:
Once students have completed the game and checked their answers give them a minute to check the spelling of words they found difficult.
Then take the game away, including answers, and split the class into two teams. Give each team a different coloured pen. They’re going to play a variation of a board race with the following rules:
- One person from each team goes up to write one word from the game into the correct part of the table.
- They sit down and then pass the pen to the next player on their team.
- Players must check the other side before writing a new word, because if they duplicate a word then they lose a point at the end of the game.
- The winning team will have the most correctly spelled words in the most sections (just like in the first game).
Here’s my class in action
After a while, students will run out of words that they remember from the game. When this happens, say that they can now use any adjectives that end in the relevant suffix. This was really motivating for students as it allowed them to use their extended vocabularies and push themselves if they wanted to get more words than the other team.
With my class there was a constant push in various parts of the board; first with the ‘-y’ section and then with ‘-ful’ which created a competitive ebb and flow. This is how it looked at the end:
Apologies for the obscuring sun and the exhausted red pen that had to be substituted at half time
Students then check the board in their teams. They’re motivated to find mistakes the other team have made because it’ll help them win (incorrect answers do not count towards the score). Then they get the answer sheet from the game and do a second check. Here we have ‘numberous’ ‘industial’ and ‘humourous.’
Final score: Red team have more words for ‘-ful’ and ‘-y.’ Green team have more words for ‘-ous’ and ‘-ant.’ The other rows are a tie, so it’s 2-2 overall. (Students may groan, but I like a tie – I never want to see unbalanced teams that might mean a crushing defeat for one side).
Finally
I’m much happier with the game now that it has a more focused spelling element – absolutely essential to prepare students for the word formation part of the FCE/CAE.
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March 7, 2017 at 4:20 pm
MyE3 learners really loved the Word Formation – noun suffixes. Great fun! So am looking forward to part 2 with the adjectives game.
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March 7, 2017 at 8:39 pm
That’s great! Let me know how it goes
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March 11, 2017 at 6:28 pm
I’ve already used your original game twice for FCE prep, and both by classes loved it. I believe this new addiction will add an important missing element (adjectives) as well as spelling, and make the game even more fun. Thanks a lot for sharing these great ideas!
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March 18, 2017 at 3:52 pm
Brilliant game. I have just done this adjectives game with my E3 class today. It lasted over an hour. They really enjoyed learning interesting adjectives, and the team competitive element of part 2. I did the extension bit where they could other adjectives too – amazing what they came up with (nautical, imaginative). Even usually quiet Learners had something to offer! Thanks for sharing! I always look forward to your posts!
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March 18, 2017 at 4:21 pm
Thanks! I’m really glad you found it useful.
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April 27, 2017 at 9:25 pm
i used your activity with my CAE students and they loved it. They found it a good confidence booster and we teased out some suffix spelling patterns too. I adapted it very slightly by writing the suffixes on ice cream sticks.
The topic of the whole lesson was looking at the environment and recycling was an underlying theme.
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April 27, 2017 at 9:30 pm
Sounds great Sue – glad it helped
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May 4, 2017 at 6:22 am
It really helped! Many thanks. Enza
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June 6, 2017 at 5:22 pm
Thanks for sharing, Mike. I teach disadvantaged children between the ages of 6-16 and a few a little older in Mexico City. I have taught young adults at the university level for almost 40 yrs and came out of retirement when offered this opportunity.
I’m always looking for games. I’m sorry I can’t share my old domino prefix/suffix game since it’s cut up but I also find that the students enjoy it. You might want to try making one yourself. TES offers free domino templates.
Good luck in your efforts and thanks again.
Jean
On Tue, Mar 7, 2017 at 3:22 AM, TeachingGamesEFL.com – by Mike Astbury wrote:
> Mike Astbury posted: “This is a follow up on the word formation game I > made last month. It extends the game and takes more time to reinforce the > importance of spelling. I’ve also included a new set of cards with > adjectives. Click here to download the game – the pdf includes t” >
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June 7, 2017 at 10:59 pm
You’re welcome and thanks for the feedback,
Mike
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