It’s fun to play with words. We can practice higher level thinking and reasoning skills while using everyday words in new combinations.
50 Word World
You may have only 50 words to speak and write. What words will you choose? Why will you choose them? Make your list and defend it against others’ lists. After you discuss your words, you may change the words you have selected. Write your new list. Now, try to write a story or poem using those words. Challenge: try it with only 30 words.
Compare and Contrast
Make a list of 2-3 related words and think of how they are alike and different. Here’s a starter list:
dollar-nickel-dime
pear-apple-banana
hooves-hands-fingernails
raisins-almonds-cherries
grass-tree-dirt
football-gymnastics-swimming
kitten-baby
worm-snail
wind-water
3-7
lion-elephant
Create a Venn diagram to show how they relate. This is a great exercise in thinking “outside the box”. Let the creativity wander. Encourage students to make their own comparisons and contrasts. It’s an addictive activity!
Get creative! Try these as time fillers, end of unit vocabulary reviews and/or as small group discussions.