Crosswords and wordsearches are popular activities in

the language classroom but they are not always appropriate

for our pupils. However, if used carefully they can provide
invaluable writing practice as well as vocabulary building.
M Jos Duarte from CEIP Taqugraf Garriga has sent
us a selection of word games that she uses in the classroom
to provide her pupils with plenty of such practice. Most
of the games focus on spelling and writing, and others
on vocabulary building but were sure you will agree that
they all focus on fun! Margie Marc
THE MIRROR
The pupils are asked to write words in capital letters as
shown in the example. If you can provide them a mirror,
they will be able to correct their own work.
THE LAKE
This activity is a little more difficult but for that reason it
is more challenging for some of your pupils. They have to
write the words following the example.
THE LIST
Write a list of words on the blackboard. Try to write words,
which are from the same topic. Give the pupils time to
memorise the words and then erase everything except for
the first letter of each word. The pupils then have to write
the list in their notebooks as quickly as possible. They love
this activity because it is competitive!
BIGGER AND SMALLER
Tell your pupils to write words changing the size of the
letters. They usually love that!
WHISPERING
Give your pupils some cards with the vocabulary you want
them to learn written on them. The pupils then work in
pairs. Pupil A silently whispers one word to Pupil B who
has to guess the word. S/he wins one point for each correct
word. They enjoy this activity a lot.
THE NAME
This game is used in other language
classes. Pupils write a word beginning
with each letter of their name. If a boy
or a girl has got a very short name,
tell him or her to do it with their
surname, instead of their first name.
FALSE FLASHCARDS
Divide the blackboard in two parts and separate your class
into two teams. In each part of the blackboard stick some
flashcards and their names, but remember to make some
deliberate mistakes. One pupil from each group has to
stand up and change only one word to match the flashcards
and words correctly. They then sit down and another pupil
from their team can try to do the same. The team that
corrects all the mistakes first is the winning team.
My pupils love these games. Try some of them in class
and youll find that your pupils will ask for more. But
remember to stop the activity when they are still having
fun. Give them time enough to enjoy the activity but do
not make it last very long. Another day they will be willing
to play it again.
M Jos Duarte Caldern.
TASK ONE TASK TWO TASK THREE TASK ONE TASK TWO TASK THREE
Part 1 Part 2
A) 1 1) Uncle Vernon A) 5 1) Petunia. The rest are pets.
B) 5 2) Albus Dumbledore B) 1 2) Griphook. The rest are human.
C) 2 3) Professor Mc Gonagall C) 4 3) Hagrid. The rest are ghosts.
D) 3 4) Professor Quirrell D) 2 4) Hagrid. The rest are teachers at Hogwarts.
E) 4 5) Professor Snape E) 3 5) Harry. The others are brothers/red-haired.
A
n
s
w
e
r
s

f
o
r
"
T
h
e

H
a
r
r
y

P
o
t
t
e
r
T
o
u
r
n
a
m
e
n
t
"
f
r
o
m

p
a
g
e

1
0
.