Five Games that Promote Literacy in the Classroom

Effective teachers know that using games in classroom improves student involvement and builds social interaction skills. When those games are chosen wisely, they can boost student learning and raise achievement levels, as well. Use these board games to build both literacy and math skills in your classroom, activate learning and promote healthy interaction.

Scrabble
This traditional board game builds both literacy and math skills and can be adapted to fit the needs of your students. Consider limiting words to those that pertain to a certain topic or align with your unit. Challenging students to explain how the word connects to the topic develops language skills, builds vocabulary and promotes critical thinking skills. For younger children, ask the student to use the word in a sentence to strengthen literacy skills and assess understanding. Using words from the scrabble game as spelling or vocabulary words brings the game to life. To develop math skills, focus on calculating scores.

Guesstures
This delightful game requires students to read four different words and act them out before the timer drops their cards. Although the standard cards contain words appropriate for older students, you can easily adapt them with words appropriate to your grade level. A round or two of this game is sure to bring on the giggles while teaching important language skills. A note of warning: if you intend to use the cards included in the game, preview them first. There are a few that may not be appropriate for the school setting.

Guess Who
For early grades, Guess Who provides loads of fun while developing visual discrimination, critical thinking and both expressive and receptive language skills. Players ask questions about the appearance of the "suspect" to eliminate those who do not match the description.

Clue
One of the favorites of children's games, Clue develops critical thinking skills, deductive reasoning, and both expressive and receptive language. For those who have outgrown Guess Who, Clue is the natural extension.

Pictionary
Although this game does require the ability to draw object to represent concepts, older children enjoy this game. It encourages quick connections between visual stimuli and verbal responses. A game of Pictionary on Friday afternoon may seem like a treat to your students, but you will know they are learning while having fun.

Using games in the classroom to develop critical academic skills keeps kids engaged-and we all know kids who are actively engaged in learning, learn quickly and retain more of what they learn.