mobiiart

Since my boss's wife has a cow when we use the copy machine to much, I have started playing more blackboard games with the kids. Here's one called "Word Battleship"....

On a pice of paper, I draw a grid of squares that is 10 x 10. Put the numbers 1 - 10 across the top, and the letters A - J down one side (outside of the grid, These are your reference points). Then, I put 15 - 25 words on the grid, putting a letter in each box. Have some of the words connect to other words, so you end up with what looks like a finished crossword puzzle, or a scrabble board.

For the kids. Draw the same grid on the blackboard, and put the letters and numbers across the top and down the side. Divide the kids into 5 or 6 groups. They take turns calling out a position, such as A-4, G-9, etc. If they square they pick has a letter in it on your sheet, then put the letter in the box on the board, and let that team guess again. If they choose a blank square, then it is the next teams turn. Once they have gotten all the letters in a word, give that team 1 point, and go to the next team. Remember to tell them when they have finished a word, or they will keep guessing forever. With my 40 P-6 and M-1 kids, this game takes about 45 minutes. They seem to really enjoy it.

Oh, 2 things...First, if the kids guess a blank square, I do NOT color it in on the board. This not only forces them to remember, but even many of the more unruly kids will keep busy by re-drawing the board on paper to keep track of this for themselves. The other thing, Put your trusted kids in charge of each group. Sweet little miss Ploy will bitch-slap any of the trouble makers if they threaten the chance of her team winning by acting up.