Easy Way to Get Students to Pay Attention!

Imagine your students wanting to increase their vocabulary knowledge and actively listening to every word you say. Sounds like something out of science fiction, right?  I thought so too; until I started playing a simple game with my students.

This game is quick and easy to implement. Simply select a word frequently used by you and your students---such as good. Then, create an anchor chart of the synonyms of the word you selected. Whenever students hear you say the word or one of its synonyms, they should immediately say “ding, ding, ding.” Students will be allowed to toss a soft ball around the room until it drops or until a specific time limit is met. The student that says “ding, ding, ding” will begin the game. I also have a rule that if the ball is thrown to someone standing the game is over. My students love this game!! I have even had students comment how intently they are listening to me now.

I also have some other synonym and antonym resources available in my TpT store. 

For this synonym writing resource students write a story about a picture using at least 5 words from a word box. Afterward, they use a provided thesaurus, to select synonyms for the words they select. One of my students asked me if she HAD to change the her word because it wouldn't make sense. Let me tell you my heart melted. That it the exact type of thinking I desire!!!

 This set of antonym bump games are a hit with my students!

My snowball fight games are an all time favorite!!