Make vocabulary and grammar fun with Baffle Gab™
Recommendations for Classroom Use
Introducing the game to the whole class:
Copy both sides of 5 cards to an overhead projector transparency. The definition side of each card is shown only when first introducing the game or if you are focusing on vocabulary building. Explain the game rules (or a variation suitable for your class' ability) and conduct a few practice rounds by ringing a bell for start of time and end of time (either the teacher or a student can turn over the sand timer). Ask students to read their stories to the class. Then add up their Bone Bucks by writing it out on the overhead projector or chalk/dry erase board. When students begin to feel comfortable with how the game is played, break them down into smaller groups (possibly by ability level as some students may want more than one minute and other students may be able to complete more rounds of play before the class period ends).
Students 8 and under and those with a lower confidence/skill level:
Allow 8-year-olds, third graders and those who need confidence boosting to turn the timer over for a second minute per round initially. When the timer runs out after 1 minute, simply announce that the minute is up and you're turning the timer over for the final minute allowed in this round of play. This will build confidence as students practice writing skills. In a relatively short period of time, these students will be ready to give up that extra minute per round and the experience will stay positive.
Students 13 and older and those with a higher confidence/skill level:
Older students can also use Baffle Gab™ to expand creative writing skills. Playing up to 10 cards in a single 1-minute round, older and more confident students not only successfully create grammatically-correct sentences, but can usually write a mini story. It takes practice to get this fast and this skilled at writing, however. So stick with our suggestion (see below) to add 1 card at a time as you increase the difficulty level of baffle Gab™. Give students several rounds of playing with the increased number of word cards before adding more. Give them attainable goals to keep the experience positive yet challenging.
Would you like to reinforce spelling as well as vocabulary and writing skills? Try this:
Decide how much time you want to allow for this exercise. Lay out as many word cards as you feel players can handle in the time frame you've set and ask them to write a story using the cards set before them. Let each player know that they need to spell the words correctly as well as use them correctly in sentences. Collect the papers at the end of the session and enjoy reading the creative writing projects that your students have just completed.
For vocabulary building:
We have found that it's also good to photocopy the definition side of the same group of cards onto transparency film so that students have a chance to build vocabulary skills as well as writing and spelling skills.
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