Noun & Verb Classroom Games for Kids

Class Games

• In the art gallery game, the teacher divides the board into several squares and calls one student for each square to front of the class. The teacher calls out a noun. The students race to correctly draw the noun. For the true or false line game, the instructor divides a section of the floor with a long strip of masking tape.One side of the floor is designated "true" and the other side "false." The teacher then holds up a flashcard and says its word. If the students believe that the instructor is correct, they jump to the true side. If they believe the teacher is incorrect, they jump to the false side.

Writing Games

• In the noun and verb game, the teacher asks the students for a list of nouns and then a list of verbs. The students create sentences using words from both lists. In the random word game, the teacher selects a book and then asks the students for a number. The teacher turns to that page in the book. He or she then asks for another number and finds the corresponding line on the page. Finally the teacher asks for a smaller number and finds the corresponding word. The students have 15 seconds to come up with sentences using that word.

Team Games

• In the action race, the class is divided into two teams. One member of each team stands by a chair. When the teacher calls out an action verb such as "jump" or "hop," the students race to a chair at the other end of the room and back while performing that action. The backs-to-the-board game is similar to the game show "Pyramid." The teacher divides the class into two teams. One player from each team stands in front of the class with his or her back to the board. The teacher writes a noun on the board and each team gives clues until their teammate guesses the word.

Classic Games

• A game may be old but that doesn't mean it isn't a useful tool. Charades can help students remember that verbs are action words. The teacher whispers an action verb such as "run" to a student who then acts it out until the class guesses what it is. Hangman is a simple game for reviewing new vocabulary words. The teacher first sketches a gallows on the board. He then draws several lines on the board, one line for each letter in the word. Students take turns guessing a letter in the word. For each incorrect guess, the teacher draws part of the condemned stick figure. The game ends when the word is guessed or the stick figure is completed.