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How to Play Word Building Dominoes

Getting the kids interested in learning about words and vocabulary is tough, but a game known as "word-building dominoes" may help children want to learn. The game uses colorful blocks -- or "dominoes" -- with a root word, prefix or suffix written on them. Kids can combine them to form larger words, helping them to better understand how words are constructed in the English language and expanding their vocabulary at the same time.

Instructions

    • 1

      Place the dominoes in a pile. Write a sentence on a chalkboard or whiteboard using words on the dominoes and have the children read it out loud.

    • 2

      Explain how prefixes and suffixes modify the meaning of words and provide some examples.

    • 3

      Write one of the words in the sentence on an index card and have the children find the blocks needed to create the word. Have them place the dominoes together to form the word. Repeat for other words in the sentence or start again with another sentence.

    • 4

      Play a prefix or suffix game as a variation. Place a few prefix or suffix blocks on the floor -- such as "ing" -- and see how many words the kids can match up to it.

    • 5

      Divide the kids into teams for another variation. Provide the teams with an equal amount of blocks and tell the kids to form as many words as possible with at least two dominoes until you say stop. Award more points for larger words. Add up all the points when they are finished to declare a winner.

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