"Word Bingo" is a modified board game that replaces the letters and numbers on the Bingo card with words related to a specific topic. This allows players to learn to recognize words while playing a familiar game. "Scrabble" is a board game that helps players learn to build words. "Dicewords" teaches players how to spell words up to nine letters long. Nine dice are covered with letters on each side; each letter is assigned a score. Players roll the dice and try to spell words using the highest scoring letters.
A person's basic vocabulary skills set the stage for reading success or failure. Many games help build vocabulary. "Memory Match" has players match a word to a coordinating picture. Write a sentence such as, "She walked the dog." Have the player match the sentence to a picture of a woman walking a dog. "Word Scrambles" can help players learn to recognize and spell common words. As the player's vocabulary improves, start scrambling short sentences. "Name that Noun" and "Name that Derivative" help teach sentence structure.
Flash cards can build vocabulary by helping students recognize letters and words along with a familiar picture. Have the players help you make homemade flash cards. As their writing improves, have them write sentences on flash cards. Flash cards can be made from index cards and can be modified to each adult student's needs. Sentence-starter flash cards are a popular tool for adult learners, too. Write the first few words of a simple sentence on one side of an index card and have the learner complete it.
The popular game of charades can be modified to promote literacy. Write short sentences on slips of paper, then have team members draw the papers and act out the sentence. "Pictionary" also can help teach an adult to read. Writing prompts are great ways to help illiterate adults learn to write sentences. Word search and crossword puzzles can be easily modified to promote literacy as well.