The Popsicle Stick Vocabulary Game is fun and one students ask for often.
The sticks have Spanish words written on one side and English on the other. They get passed out to all the students and teacher gets one too.
Then, teacher begins by calling out his/her stick in English. The student with the Spanish match says his/hers, and then flips that stick over to say the next word in English. Play continues until you have gone through all the sticks. Â Someone times the whole thing so you can see how quickly you got through them all. Â Then you play again to beat your time.
This activity is best done with a group of 4 or more. You’ll need large popsicle sticks and 2 different colored markers. Use one color for writing the English words and the other for the Spanish.
To Prepare:
Make a list of vocabulary words you’d like to use. Have enough words so every student can have at least one popsicle stick. It’s ok if a student has more than one popsicle stick.
Use a marker and write one vocabulary word in English on each stick. Then put the sticks in a line on a table. Using the other colored marker, write the Spanish equivalent on the blank side of the second stick. The first stick in the line will be blank.
Continue to follow this pattern until you reach the end of the row of sticks. On the blank side of the first stick write the last word in Spanish.
To Play:
- Pass out all the sticks, one or more per player, keeping one for yourself (teacher).
- Students should place their sticks Spanish side up in front of them.
- Teacher starts the timer.
- Teacher begins by reading aloud the English word on his/her stick.
- The student who has the Spanish equivalent stands (optional) and says the Spanish word, and then flips over the stick and says the new English word on its backside.
- The student with the Spanish match to that English word says it aloud, then flips the stick over and says the English word.
- The game continues until the last English word is said which will be equivalent to the Spanish word on your (teacher’s) stick.
- Stop the timer and record how long it took on the board.
- Redo the game to see if you can beat your time.
My students and I usually play 3 times in a row. I write the time on the board each time. They LOVE trying to beat their time!
Enjoy!
Debbie
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