Teach your first-graders vocabulary words with games that improve spelling and word pronunciation. Games such as Scrabble and Boggle require players to create and unscramble words. Crossword puzzles that are age-appropriate are also good games for young children. When playing these games, ask that the children state and spell the word out loud as they go along. Create a spelling game for your first-graders. To do so, make a list of 24 different words. State the word and ask that your first-graders write down the word. Give a point for the correct spelling and another point if they can tell you what the word means.
Help children learn about different species of animals with fun and educational games. Using age-appropriate materials, teach children about an animal or insect of their choosing. The material should explain how the animal or insect has babies, discuss its lifespan, where it lives and what it eats. Once you have finished, ask your students to recall the details about the animal. You can also give details about a mystery animal and have your students guess what animal you are describing. For example, you may tell your students, "This animal is furry, barks and has sharp teeth." Give a point to the student who guesses the animal first.
Assign the same age-appropriate book to your students. On a dry-erase board, write details of the story, leaving key pieces of information blank. Have each student write down the word that fills in the blank. For example, you may write "Sam I Am likes to eat [blank]" or "Charlotte used her web to write [blank] to Wilbur who was a [blank]." Award a point for each correct piece of information.
Teach your students geography with age-appropriate puzzles depicting different locations around the world. Do not reveal what the puzzle illustrates, only allow the students to complete the puzzle. After the students complete the puzzle, ask them what they know about the location and discuss information about that location. Reveal any historical or interesting facts about the location, as well. Choose a puzzle with larger pieces so that it does not take an exorbitant amount of time for the two students to complete.