When I have an idea for a new board game, I start work first on a blank sheet of 8-1/2 x 11" white paper. I sketch things out first with a pencil. Sometimes I use graph paper with those light blue lines if I really want things to line up exactly by hand. (By the way, these blue lines do not show on a photocopier.) The next step is to create everything with Microsoft Word and the "AutoShapes" features with color added, adding child-appealing clip art to make it more interesting and fun. Of course, doing this part by hand with colored markers and my favorite Pentel correction pen and then attaching color graphics with rubber cement are options.
I then go to a retail copy store and make several copies in color enlarged to 11x17". This size fits nicely on a large piece of oaktag (heavy paper). I use rubber cement for "glue," let dry, and then laminate. I make enough boards so that there are small groups of children (best size of the group is three) at each game board. One child sits in front of the game board and then other two are on the right and left sides of the game board, so everyone can easily see and read the board. I use small manipulatives that complement the game theme for individual place markers. The children's real favorites are small plastic fruits and animals and plain old beans or buttons. Checkers are another option. Two catalogues with a wide selection of these items, including spinners and dice are:
Before the game is played by everyone, I devote class time to have a mini-demo with a small, hand-picked group of children surrounded by the rest of the class. And I use
to make exercises to reinforce the necessary vocabulary that was introduced beforehand several days before the actual "game day." In fact, "Puzzlemaker" now allows teachers to "file" their created exercises for access later.
This site has lots of blank templates for games:
Here is a list of common expressions for children to use while playing games:
Enjoy playing board games with your classes. Here is a bilingual commercial game for K-5 called "Bilingual Everyday Words." First introduce and/or review vocabulary in Spanish. Then introduce the following procedure. Have pairs or triplets of students turn over all puzzle pieces. Then direct then to take turns, reveal the colored side of two pieces, and read the Spanish or English word (team members may help). If the pieces match, remove them, and continue to play until all pieces are used. Consider purchasing several sets so the whole class can play at one time. This game is a good go-to activity once regular "work" is finished or for a "station/center" activity or for when assessing single students.
Enjoy playing board games with your classes.
Here are some bilingual puzzle commercial games for K-5 to play with your students. First introduce and/or review vocabulary in Spanish. Then introduce the following procedure. Have pairs or triplets of students turn over all puzzle pieces. Then direct them to take turns, reveal the colored side of two pieces, and read the Spanish or English word (team members may help). If the pieces match, remove them, and continue to play until all pieces are used. Consider purchasing several sets so the whole class can play at one time. Another option for the first set is to divide 42 two-piece puzzles into two 21 two-piece puzzles. This game is a good go-to activity once regular "work" is finished or for a "station/center" activity or for when assessing single students.
Playing Games
