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I will include this to my teacher toolkit because graphic organizers are important for EBs/ELs because it will help them write down important information and gather their thoughts when reading a book or article.

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The Ultimate List of Graphic Organizers for Teachers and Students | Creately

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19 types of graphic organizers for reading, writing, teaching, learning and brainstorming. Explained with editable templates for graphic organizers."

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I believe this is essential for my teacher toolkit because it will give me different writing prompt ideas and journaling is a way for EBs/ELs to practice their writing skills regardless of their grammatical errors. It is how EBs/ELs can convey their thoughts and ideas without being afraid of making a mistake in their writing.

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52 Journal Prompts for Kids to Reflect and Practice Writing Skills - Waterford.org

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Use these fun journaling prompts for kids to help your child practice writing and storytelling skills at home.

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I will add this to my teacher toolkit because it will give me different activity ideas to do in class to allow EBs/ELs to practice their English oral language.

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I will add this to my teacher toolkit because it provides a list of activities that EBs/ELs can do to practice their listening skills. Practicing listening skills is essential for EBs/ELs because they gain a better understanding of things and can also improve their communication skills.

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Play these engaging active listening activities for kids with your small groups!

Active listening activities promote mindful thinking. They encourage thoughtful, attentive communication and connect students to the speaker through both verbal and non-verbal cues. But it's a skill that needs to be practiced and honed, especially for younger students. Use these fun speaking and listening activities as a center during your next small group period to introduce or revisit this crucial skill.

Listening Activities for Elementary Students

1. Draw this

For younger students, or for students first being introduced to active listening, start with something hands-on and familiar, like drawing. For these active listening activities, either you or a student lead will list step-by-step instructions for an image.

For example, if you wanted your students to draw a house, the instructions could sound like this:
"Draw a large square in the center of your page"
"Then draw a small rectangle vertically on the bottom of the square."
"Draw two small squares on either side of the rectangle."
"Now draw a large triangle on top of the largest square."

These instructions should guide students toward a completed image that isn't recognizable until the final instructions. To help student leads, you can provide pre-written instructions for several images and allow them to choose from your selection. Students will then reveal their artwork to see if their drawings followed the given instructions.

Have students play this listening game first to practice.

2. Audio stories

If story time is a favorite activity in your class, your students will love this last center idea. Here, all you need to do is pick a read aloud story to play for your small group. Be careful not to let your students see the words. Once the story is finished playing aloud, have your students summarize what they heard in as much detail as possible. If time allows, replay the story so students can see if they were correct.

eSpark has several read-aloud stories that are perfect for this active listening activity. Here are a few to start:

My Pet Llamacorn Grade level: PK-K
Can We Make Smores Now Grade level: PK-1
Anisha Is Bored Grade level: PK-1
Squidges Day at the Doctor Grade level: 1
Azure Leads The Way Grade level: 2
Summer Drumming Grade level: 3
Game Night Grade level: 3
Swallowed Grade level: 5

3. Don't speak twice

This activity is an exercise in restraint for some students because until everyone has spoken once, no one is allowed to speak a second time.

For this speaking and listening activity, you or a student will select a broad topic of choice, such as movies or animals. Then, students will take turns commenting on or asking a question about the topic. If a question is asked, no one is allowed to speak unless responding to the question until an answer has been given. This is repeated until every student has spoken at least twice for one to two minutes.

4. Simon says

This classic childhood game is perfect for practicing listening skills in small groups. To make this game into a center, you or a student lead will say a command then wait to see if the players responded correctly. To make this game slightly more challenging for older grades, have students take turns giving commands.

Typically, students who perform a command that didn't begin with the phrase "Simon says" lose the game and must sit out; however, to keep all students engaged during the entire center, an alternative rule can be having that student miss their next turn to say a command.

5. Telephone

Another classic listening activity for kids is telephone. In this center, students will form a circle, then take turns creating a message that will be whispered to each student until it reaches the student who created the message. If the message at the end matches the message from the beginning, the group wins! The next student in the circle creates the next message and the game repeats.

This game works best with at least five students in the small group so there are enough students to pass the message to before it reaches the end. With smaller groups, it's also best to require longer messages that are about eight to 10 words.

6. Popcorn storytelling

This game can be played one of two ways. The first way begins with a student reading a passage from a book or printed story. At the end of any sentence, the student may call on another student to pick up where they left off. Students will do this until the story is finished or until it's time to move to the next center. This version works best for upper elementary students who are capable of reading long passages. Here's a story you can use for this listening activity.

The second method offers students a bit more room for creativity because here they will construct their own story. One student begins the story in any setting with any character and provides as much or as little detail as desired. They will then select another student at random to continue the story. Students will continue to add to the story until it's time to move to the next center. To give your students inspiration, have them read this story beforehand.

In both games, each student is required to speak at least twice.

7. My favorite toss

Not only does this game help students practice active listening - it also exercises their memory. In this center, everyone stands in a circle and one student is given a ball. The student holding the ball begins by choosing a topic, such as books or food, then shares their favorite item from that topic. That student then passes the ball to any other student who must first tell the favorite of everyone before them then add their own favorite.

For example, if the beginning student said their favorite sport was swimming, the next student would say, "Andrew's favorite sport is swimming, and my favorite sport is basketball." The following student would say, "Andrew's favorite sport is swimming, Maria's favorite sport is basketball, and my favorite sport is hockey."

The game continues until every student tells a favorite and correctly lists the favorites before their own. If a student lists the previous favorites incorrectly, the other students must help them repeat the list correctly. Once the game is finished, the next student creates a new topic.

Play-based learning with a twist

eSpark is the only elementary curriculum resource that combines play-based learning with evidence-based direct instruction to create a personalized, differentiated learning experience for every student in math and reading. The interactive stories and poems shared above are just a small sampling of the many unique and fresh activities students will encounter on their Quests or teacher-assigned Small Group Skills. Click the button below to claim your free trial account and see for yourself why teachers everywhere are talking about how eSpark delivers engagement they can feel and results they can see.

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7 Engaging Listening Activities for Small Groups

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Active listening activities promote mindful thinking. Use these speaking and listening activities in your next small group breakout.

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I will include this to my teacher toolkit because it gives me a list of different manipulatives that I can use in the classroom to help EBs/ELs learn math concepts and visualize what the math problem means. Manipulatives are important when teaching math because students get to visualize each step of the math problem. For example, bringing pizza to class while explaining fractions will help students understand the concept better because they are visualizing the fractions with food.

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Math is all around us. We can see it in nature and in our homes. We use math skills every day, even if we don't realize it. And you can help your students see math in all of its forms with fun and engaging math manipulatives.

These hands-on objects and activities enhance your math lessons, giving students a concrete way to practice and play with math concepts. Sometimes it can be difficult for children to grasp the abstract concepts of adding, subtracting and multiplying numbers. But math manipulatives can help them actually see what the numbers are doing.

Common math manipulatives include blocks of all kinds, whiteboards, and interesting online materials. Even if you don't have access to these resources right now, you can easily find creative alternatives for your classroom, especially once you understand what math manipulatives are and how they're used.
This article will give you a strong grasp of what math manipulatives are, the key benefits of using them, and our top 10 favorite math manipulatives for the classroom.

What are math manipulatives?

Math manipulatives are objects, charts, and activities that engage learners while helping them develop their math skills.
They can assist in teaching lessons such as graphing, decimals, geometry, arithmetic, and more.

Using math manipulatives during a lesson brings hands-on learning to your classroom. And this can appeal to a multitude of different learners.

As you know, not every student learns in the same way. Math manipulatives allow students to work with math in the way that's best for them. By working independently with math manipulatives, a student is better able to work at their own pace and spend more time on concepts or problems that are particularly difficult for them.

Many math concepts are conceptual and hard for students to visualize on paper. By practicing math processes with math manipulatives, learners can see exactly how the process affects the numbers and how problems are solved.

There are many places to buy math manipulatives or manipulative kits, including online or in school supply stores. But you don't need to buy an expensive, specialized kit to bring manipulatives to your classroom. Especially for younger grades, any toy collection or set of blocks will work.

There are also many printable options available online. We're talking loads of variations and choices, some geared towards homeschooling families, math centers or traditional classrooms. The digital choices are endless.

With all these options, it can be overwhelming and difficult to know where to start. Here's our list of the ten most common and versatile math manipulatives to get you started.

10 Math manipulatives to implement in your classroom

1. Dominoes

Dominoes are much more than just a fun game. They're also one of the best foundational math manipulatives. Dominoes can be used to teach a variety of math skills - like addition, multiplication, division, and subtraction. And they're particularly helpful in younger grade levels.

They're easy for even the youngest students to grasp and move, and they can help math learning feel like a game.

Dominoes work well for both individual and small group problem-solving. They also allow you to take a quick trip around the room, gauging student understanding at a glance.

During your math manipulative time, encourage your students to create and solve their own math problems by arranging the dominoes in different ways. There are loads of math games you can play with dominoes. If you need some ideas, a quick Google search can pull up enough ideas for the entire school year.

2. Pattern blocks

Pattern blocks are a math manipulative perfect for geometry lessons. These blocks are made of either plastic or wood and come in a variety of shapes - like triangles, squares, rectangles, and trapezoids.

Your students can experiment with how these shapes fit together to make new shapes or images. These blocks often come with pattern cards. These can guide your student in how to make a picture, or encourage them to be creative and create their own pattern.

Pattern blocks are also great for basic math learning. Lessons in fractions, counting and patterns can all be enhanced with pattern blocks. With so many diverse applications, many educators feel these blocks are an important and necessary component of their teaching toolkit - especially in younger grade levels.

3. Online math games

Regardless of your classroom setup - traditional, virtual, homeschooling or hybrid - digital math manipulatives are a great option! They allow students to engage with math in a unique and fun way. And there's a huge variety of online math games online, targeting whichever math skills you're currently teaching.

Online math games can even support student learning over the summer months or during school breaks. The fun nature of online games keeps students excited and learning at home - because they don't feel like homework.

Looking for a math game for your class, try Prodigy Math!

A lot of my higher level students are really motivated by Prodigy, but the part that I like the best is when my students can work cooperatively. My lower level math students can play with my higher level ones and they both are engaged in their math work and having fun. It's a great supplementary tool to help keep math fun and engaging, and it works.

William Stenross

4th Grade Classroom Teacher

4. Cuisenaire rods

Cuisenaire rods are rectangular rods of various lengths. They're often made of wood, and each length corresponds to a different color. For example, all red rods are 10 units long, while all yellow rods are 5 units long.

These colorful manipulatives can help bring the otherwise boring number line to life. Students can visualize the distance between numbers, and see the relationship numbers have with each other. How many times does 5 go into 10? Grab the number rods and find out!

Cuisenaire rods are a math favorite, mostly due to their versatility. They can be used to teach everything from basic number sense to fractions and patterns. Whether you teach Pre-K or 8th grade, you can find a use for Cuisenaire rods.

5. Two color counters

Another popular manipulative in math classrooms is two-color counters. Color counters are simple plastic circles with one color on each side. You'll see them most often used to demonstrate fractions, basic addition, subtraction and counting skills.

Two color counter's simplistic nature means they're most popular in lower grade levels. And even better, two-color counters are often magnetic, making them the perfect choice for whiteboard activities and math games. Use them to demonstrate lessons when you're front of class, or divide students into small groups so they can experiment and learn.

6. Fraction tiles & fraction circles

Fraction tiles and fraction circles are two different math manipulatives with a similar purpose.

Fractions can be particularly difficult for students to understand and work with. These manipulatives can help students deepen their conceptual understanding of fractions with two different math visuals - making them a perfect pair.

Fraction tiles are often flat, rectangular pieces of plastic or cardboard made of different colors and varying lengths. They usually have the corresponding fraction printed on them so kids can quickly look and compare. The varying lengths allow students to experiment with how fractions work together to create not just whole numbers, but also different fractions within the whole.

Fraction circles are very similar, but instead of rectangles, they use parts of a circle. This is the manipulative version of the pie or pizza example. Students can use differently sized pieces to understand how fractions can add up to 1.

Bonus - both of these math manipulatives are easy to DIY with paper print outs if you're on a time or budget restraint.

See how to make your own fraction tiles below!

7. Rekenreks counting frames

Rekenreks counting frames are often one of the first math manipulatives a student will use. In fact, many use similar bead counters before they ever come to school.

These simple arithmetic frames combine the concepts of the number line, individual counters, and base-ten models to create a useful learning tool. Students move the beads from one end to the other to practice counting or assist with basic addition and subtraction problems.

Younger students, like those in Pre-K and elementary school, benefit the most from Rekenrek counting frames. Once students have mastered counting and single-digit math problems, they're ready to move on to more diverse manipulatives.

8. Bear counters

Bear counters are another great option for younger students.

These fun and colorful plastic bears will keep your little learners excited to play with math. The bears are perfect for teaching the foundational math skills of counting and sorting. They can also be paired with a scale to teach measurement and weight.

If you don't have bear counters in your classroom, look for other small toys that can serve the same purpose. It's helpful for them to be similar in type, but that's not a necessity. Students can practice counting zoo animals, cotton balls, or erasers just the same.

9. Place value blocks or base ten blocks

Place value blocks, also called base-ten blocks, are used in classrooms from Pre-K all the way to 8th grade. These little plastic blocks connect to each other, making them a fun option for teaching a variety math concepts - like addition, subtraction, fractions, measurement, counting and more.

Most sets are colorful and can help students visualize different parts of an equation. They're perfect for exploring place value as well. Once students move up to solving double-digit problems, different colors can be used to represent the tens and even hundreds place.

Bonus tip: You can also use this place value chart as another in-class supplement!

10. Geoboards

Looking for something besides blocks for your geometry activities in class? Geoboards are the answer.

Geoboards are small wooden or plastic pegboards that use string or rubber bands to create a variety of shapes. They're a great hands-on activity for practicing shape recognition and names.

Geoboards can double as a fun brain break for young students. Pre-K and elementary students are often still working on the fine motor skills needed to draw shapes and write numbers. And manipulating the rubber bands or strings can be a welcome departure from the frustration of writing.

Like pattern blocks, you can have students use these in a structured way by making specific shapes. Or give them the freedom to create whichever shapes they'd like. You're sure to end up with some fantastic, mathematical art!

See how one teacher used a geoboard to explain basic shapes to her first grade students below!

Physical vs. virtual math manipulatives

Classrooms today don't look the same as they did twenty years ago, or even 3 years ago. The number of students in virtual or hybrid classrooms has increased dramatically. So, when you can't physically hand your students math manipulatives, what are your options?

There's actually quite a few! In the last few years, many free, online programs offering virtual math manipulatives have popped up. These may not be manipulatives in the traditional sense, but online games stretch the brain using a variety of learning models. They help students nail down complicated concepts in much the same way as the manipulatives mentioned above.

And it's not just virtual classrooms that can benefit from these tools. Homeschooling rates are on the rise. But many parents may not have the budget to purchase a large variety of math manipulatives. Online options provide a budget-friendly way to teach math at home or in the classroom.

It's easy to see how virtual manipulatives are beneficial for both students and teachers. Teachers now have a wide variety of effective teaching tools at their fingertips. And learners can gain a deeper understanding of math concepts on a platform they already enjoy. That means less frustration and more opportunity. Let's dive deep into a few more benefits of math manipulatives, whether virtual or physical.

3 Key benefits of using math manipulatives in the classroom

Increase interactive learning

In a classroom of 15-30 students, no two students are alike. They all learn in unique ways. And trying to make one lesson fit all those students is impossible.

For students who are struggling with math, hands-on learning activities with manipulatives can be a huge help. Not everyone can make sense of math on paper alone. Hands-on activities give learners a deeper understanding of how numbers work. And this understanding will continue to help them as they progress through school.

Students need to have a full understanding of basic concepts. Math builds on itself, so have a strong foundation will only help them as they gain more knowledge and advanced skills.

Also, manipulatives keep math learning exciting. Students grow bored of always using the same learning method. There's little to love about lectures and equations on a whiteboard. Math manipulatives can help you diversify your teaching style. You'll reach more students by using more methods, and that means more engagement and more learning. Awesome!

Develop problem-solving skills

Math manipulatives help students develop more complex problem-solving skills. When a student fully understands a math concept, they're better able to apply that concept to real-world problems. We want to teach students how to apply math skills across all of life, not just to next week's test.

Also, math manipulatives allow for a variety of problem solving methods. Students often interpret and think about problems in different ways. And that means they'll approach the solution differently too. Math manipulatives give your students the freedom to explore multiple paths to a solution. And if it doesn't work, it's easier for them to see why.

Build confidence in each math lesson

All of this problem solving with math manipulatives can give your students a major confidence boost! Activities with math manipulatives allow students to take the reins of their learning process. And because many math manipulatives are self-correcting, they can work individually on their problems. When they reach the right answer, all on their own, they'll feel an amazing sense of pride and accomplishment.

When students are able to understand and apply mathematical concepts, they're filled with that I did it feeling. Mastering the steps of a complicated math process gives students the confidence and encouragement to keep moving forward.

Students can then translate this deeper conceptual understanding to tests, quizzes, and standardized tests. They won't need a last minute cram session to succeed. They can stress less knowing they have the knowledge to tackle a variety of math and life problems.

Whether physical or virtual, math manipulatives can create a ripple effect that helps students throughout their entire educational journey.

Develop your student's math skills in a fun and engaging way

Math manipulatives are fantastic tools for helping your students understand and engage in their math lessons. And there are so many math manipulatives to choose from - something to fit every lesson and each student's unique needs.

Even if you don't have physical math manipulatives at your disposal, you can easily find virtual and online options that are just as helpful.

And some of them come at no-cost to teachers and schools! 👇

A no-cost, virtual math manipulative that's fun!

When you're exploring virtual options for math manipulatives, be sure to check out Prodigy Math. Prodigy's online math game is a stress-free way to help students master standards-aligned math skills. It's safe, fun and engaging, keeping your students excited and ready for their next lesson.

And with a free teacher account you can:

Set up engaging math practice in just a few clicks

Easily find out any learning gaps your students may have

Track how your students are progressing through your local or national curriculum

Sign up for free

Math is all around us. We can see it in nature and in our homes. We use math skills every day, even if we don't realize it. And you can help your students see math in all of its forms with fun and engaging math manipulatives.

These hands-on objects and activities enhance your math lessons, giving students a concrete way to practice and play with math concepts. Sometimes it can be difficult for children to grasp the abstract concepts of adding, subtracting and multiplying numbers. But math manipulatives can help them actually see what the numbers are doing.

Common math manipulatives include blocks of all kinds, whiteboards, and interesting online materials. Even if you don't have access to these resources right now, you can easily find creative alternatives for your classroom, especially once you understand what math manipulatives are and how they're used.
This article will give you a strong grasp of what math manipulatives are, the key benefits of using them, and our top 10 favorite math manipulatives for the classroom.

What are math manipulatives?

Math manipulatives are objects, charts, and activities that engage learners while helping them develop their math skills.
They can assist in teaching lessons such as graphing, decimals, geometry, arithmetic, and more.

Using math manipulatives during a lesson brings hands-on learning to your classroom. And this can appeal to a multitude of different learners.

As you know, not every student learns in the same way. Math manipulatives allow students to work with math in the way that's best for them. By working independently with math manipulatives, a student is better able to work at their own pace and spend more time on concepts or problems that are particularly difficult for them.

Many math concepts are conceptual and hard for students to visualize on paper. By practicing math processes with math manipulatives, learners can see exactly how the process affects the numbers and how problems are solved.

There are many places to buy math manipulatives or manipulative kits, including online or in school supply stores. But you don't need to buy an expensive, specialized kit to bring manipulatives to your classroom. Especially for younger grades, any toy collection or set of blocks will work.

There are also many printable options available online. We're talking loads of variations and choices, some geared towards homeschooling families, math centers or traditional classrooms. The digital choices are endless.

With all these options, it can be overwhelming and difficult to know where to start. Here's our list of the ten most common and versatile math manipulatives to get you started.

10 Math manipulatives to implement in your classroom

1. Dominoes

Dominoes are much more than just a fun game. They're also one of the best foundational math manipulatives. Dominoes can be used to teach a variety of math skills - like addition, multiplication, division, and subtraction. And they're particularly helpful in younger grade levels.

They're easy for even the youngest students to grasp and move, and they can help math learning feel like a game.

Dominoes work well for both individual and small group problem-solving. They also allow you to take a quick trip around the room, gauging student understanding at a glance.

During your math manipulative time, encourage your students to create and solve their own math problems by arranging the dominoes in different ways. There are loads of math games you can play with dominoes. If you need some ideas, a quick Google search can pull up enough ideas for the entire school year.

2. Pattern blocks

Pattern blocks are a math manipulative perfect for geometry lessons. These blocks are made of either plastic or wood and come in a variety of shapes - like triangles, squares, rectangles, and trapezoids.

Your students can experiment with how these shapes fit together to make new shapes or images. These blocks often come with pattern cards. These can guide your student in how to make a picture, or encourage them to be creative and create their own pattern.

Pattern blocks are also great for basic math learning. Lessons in fractions, counting and patterns can all be enhanced with pattern blocks. With so many diverse applications, many educators feel these blocks are an important and necessary component of their teaching toolkit - especially in younger grade levels.

3. Online math games

Regardless of your classroom setup - traditional, virtual, homeschooling or hybrid - digital math manipulatives are a great option! They allow students to engage with math in a unique and fun way. And there's a huge variety of online math games online, targeting whichever math skills you're currently teaching.

Online math games can even support student learning over the summer months or during school breaks. The fun nature of online games keeps students excited and learning at home - because they don't feel like homework.

Looking for a math game for your class, try Prodigy Math!

A lot of my higher level students are really motivated by Prodigy, but the part that I like the best is when my students can work cooperatively. My lower level math students can play with my higher level ones and they both are engaged in their math work and having fun. It's a great supplementary tool to help keep math fun and engaging, and it works.

William Stenross

4th Grade Classroom Teacher

4. Cuisenaire rods

Cuisenaire rods are rectangular rods of various lengths. They're often made of wood, and each length corresponds to a different color. For example, all red rods are 10 units long, while all yellow rods are 5 units long.

These colorful manipulatives can help bring the otherwise boring number line to life. Students can visualize the distance between numbers, and see the relationship numbers have with each other. How many times does 5 go into 10? Grab the number rods and find out!

Cuisenaire rods are a math favorite, mostly due to their versatility. They can be used to teach everything from basic number sense to fractions and patterns. Whether you teach Pre-K or 8th grade, you can find a use for Cuisenaire rods.

5. Two color counters

Another popular manipulative in math classrooms is two-color counters. Color counters are simple plastic circles with one color on each side. You'll see them most often used to demonstrate fractions, basic addition, subtraction and counting skills.

Two color counter's simplistic nature means they're most popular in lower grade levels. And even better, two-color counters are often magnetic, making them the perfect choice for whiteboard activities and math games. Use them to demonstrate lessons when you're front of class, or divide students into small groups so they can experiment and learn.

6. Fraction tiles & fraction circles

Fraction tiles and fraction circles are two different math manipulatives with a similar purpose.

Fractions can be particularly difficult for students to understand and work with. These manipulatives can help students deepen their conceptual understanding of fractions with two different math visuals - making them a perfect pair.

Fraction tiles are often flat, rectangular pieces of plastic or cardboard made of different colors and varying lengths. They usually have the corresponding fraction printed on them so kids can quickly look and compare. The varying lengths allow students to experiment with how fractions work together to create not just whole numbers, but also different fractions within the whole.

Fraction circles are very similar, but instead of rectangles, they use parts of a circle. This is the manipulative version of the pie or pizza example. Students can use differently sized pieces to understand how fractions can add up to 1.

Bonus - both of these math manipulatives are easy to DIY with paper print outs if you're on a time or budget restraint.

See how to make your own fraction tiles below!

7. Rekenreks counting frames

Rekenreks counting frames are often one of the first math manipulatives a student will use. In fact, many use similar bead counters before they ever come to school.

These simple arithmetic frames combine the concepts of the number line, individual counters, and base-ten models to create a useful learning tool. Students move the beads from one end to the other to practice counting or assist with basic addition and subtraction problems.

Younger students, like those in Pre-K and elementary school, benefit the most from Rekenrek counting frames. Once students have mastered counting and single-digit math problems, they're ready to move on to more diverse manipulatives.

8. Bear counters

Bear counters are another great option for younger students.

These fun and colorful plastic bears will keep your little learners excited to play with math. The bears are perfect for teaching the foundational math skills of counting and sorting. They can also be paired with a scale to teach measurement and weight.

If you don't have bear counters in your classroom, look for other small toys that can serve the same purpose. It's helpful for them to be similar in type, but that's not a necessity. Students can practice counting zoo animals, cotton balls, or erasers just the same.

9. Place value blocks or base ten blocks

Place value blocks, also called base-ten blocks, are used in classrooms from Pre-K all the way to 8th grade. These little plastic blocks connect to each other, making them a fun option for teaching a variety math concepts - like addition, subtraction, fractions, measurement, counting and more.

Most sets are colorful and can help students visualize different parts of an equation. They're perfect for exploring place value as well. Once students move up to solving double-digit problems, different colors can be used to represent the tens and even hundreds place.

Bonus tip: You can also use this place value chart as another in-class supplement!

10. Geoboards

Looking for something besides blocks for your geometry activities in class? Geoboards are the answer.

Geoboards are small wooden or plastic pegboards that use string or rubber bands to create a variety of shapes. They're a great hands-on activity for practicing shape recognition and names.

Geoboards can double as a fun brain break for young students. Pre-K and elementary students are often still working on the fine motor skills needed to draw shapes and write numbers. And manipulating the rubber bands or strings can be a welcome departure from the frustration of writing.

Like pattern blocks, you can have students use these in a structured way by making specific shapes. Or give them the freedom to create whichever shapes they'd like. You're sure to end up with some fantastic, mathematical art!

See how one teacher used a geoboard to explain basic shapes to her first grade students below!

Physical vs. virtual math manipulatives

Classrooms today don't look the same as they did twenty years ago, or even 3 years ago. The number of students in virtual or hybrid classrooms has increased dramatically. So, when you can't physically hand your students math manipulatives, what are your options?

There's actually quite a few! In the last few years, many free, online programs offering virtual math manipulatives have popped up. These may not be manipulatives in the traditional sense, but online games stretch the brain using a variety of learning models. They help students nail down complicated concepts in much the same way as the manipulatives mentioned above.

And it's not just virtual classrooms that can benefit from these tools. Homeschooling rates are on the rise. But many parents may not have the budget to purchase a large variety of math manipulatives. Online options provide a budget-friendly way to teach math at home or in the classroom.

It's easy to see how virtual manipulatives are beneficial for both students and teachers. Teachers now have a wide variety of effective teaching tools at their fingertips. And learners can gain a deeper understanding of math concepts on a platform they already enjoy. That means less frustration and more opportunity. Let's dive deep into a few more benefits of math manipulatives, whether virtual or physical.

3 Key benefits of using math manipulatives in the classroom

Increase interactive learning

In a classroom of 15-30 students, no two students are alike. They all learn in unique ways. And trying to make one lesson fit all those students is impossible.

For students who are struggling with math, hands-on learning activities with manipulatives can be a huge help. Not everyone can make sense of math on paper alone. Hands-on activities give learners a deeper understanding of how numbers work. And this understanding will continue to help them as they progress through school.

Students need to have a full understanding of basic concepts. Math builds on itself, so have a strong foundation will only help them as they gain more knowledge and advanced skills.

Also, manipulatives keep math learning exciting. Students grow bored of always using the same learning method. There's little to love about lectures and equations on a whiteboard. Math manipulatives can help you diversify your teaching style. You'll reach more students by using more methods, and that means more engagement and more learning. Awesome!

Develop problem-solving skills

Math manipulatives help students develop more complex problem-solving skills. When a student fully understands a math concept, they're better able to apply that concept to real-world problems. We want to teach students how to apply math skills across all of life, not just to next week's test.

Also, math manipulatives allow for a variety of problem solving methods. Students often interpret and think about problems in different ways. And that means they'll approach the solution differently too. Math manipulatives give your students the freedom to explore multiple paths to a solution. And if it doesn't work, it's easier for them to see why.

Build confidence in each math lesson

All of this problem solving with math manipulatives can give your students a major confidence boost! Activities with math manipulatives allow students to take the reins of their learning process. And because many math manipulatives are self-correcting, they can work individually on their problems. When they reach the right answer, all on their own, they'll feel an amazing sense of pride and accomplishment.

When students are able to understand and apply mathematical concepts, they're filled with that I did it feeling. Mastering the steps of a complicated math process gives students the confidence and encouragement to keep moving forward.

Students can then translate this deeper conceptual understanding to tests, quizzes, and standardized tests. They won't need a last minute cram session to succeed. They can stress less knowing they have the knowledge to tackle a variety of math and life problems.

Whether physical or virtual, math manipulatives can create a ripple effect that helps students throughout their entire educational journey.

Develop your student's math skills in a fun and engaging way

Math manipulatives are fantastic tools for helping your students understand and engage in their math lessons. And there are so many math manipulatives to choose from - something to fit every lesson and each student's unique needs.

Even if you don't have physical math manipulatives at your disposal, you can easily find virtual and online options that are just as helpful.

And some of them come at no-cost to teachers and schools! 👇

A no-cost, virtual math manipulative that's fun!

When you're exploring virtual options for math manipulatives, be sure to check out Prodigy Math. Prodigy's online math game is a stress-free way to help students master standards-aligned math skills. It's safe, fun and engaging, keeping your students excited and ready for their next lesson.

And with a free teacher account you can:

Set up engaging math practice in just a few clicks

Easily find out any learning gaps your students may have

Track how your students are progressing through your local or national curriculum

Sign up for free

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Math Manipulatives: How Can They Be Used to Enhance the Classroom Experience?

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Math is all around us. We can see it in nature and in our homes. We use math skills every day, even if we don't realize it. And you can help your students see math in all of its forms with fun and engaging math manipulatives.

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I will use the 8th grade science vocabulary list with definitions because it gives me a list of different words EBs/ELs need to know before getting started with any topic. This will help ensure that I activate students' prior knowledge and make connections with what they already know.

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Want to Boost Your Science Vocabulary? Check Out These 8th-Grade Definitions!

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Let’s have a look at the 8th grade science vocabulary list.

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I will include this to my teacher tool kit because it will give me strategies and tips for how to teach History to students.

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History is one of the most exciting and interesting subjects of the educational program for many students, as it allows them to know and understand the most relevant events of the past which helps them make sense of contemporary events. However, sometimes it can be a bit dense and heavy because of the amount of concepts, dates and names that are introduced. To avoid this, we offer a series of tips for history teachers to make the most dynamic and entertaining classes possible.
Discover free resources for history teachers
How can you improve your history classes?

History teachers can introduce different resources and techniques to keep students' attention and to have them actively participate during the lessons. These are the key tips for history teachers that you should keep in mind.
1. Contextualize time periods clearly
There are so many events that occur throughout history that it is normal for students get confused and to mix events from different times. To avoid this, it is helpful for history teachers to present simple and attractive notes that summarize the evolution of different historical stages and contextualize the events and individuals within these. To do this, you can use the GoConqr mind maps which allow you to connect different learning points in an accessible way. You can create a simple visual outline and add annotations or resources in the background to provide further detail if necessary. In many cases, a well-constructed image may be much clearer to students than a long and detailed explanation.
2. Prepare engaging narratives
Building a story that appeals to students is one of the most important tips for history teachers. The beauty of this subject is that you have at your disposal countless of interesting stories, but it is important to focus them in a way that excites the students. So you have to prepare a narrative with beginning, development and conclusion that arouses and maintains interest, for example by including anecdotes about the lives of the main characters. You can plan the lessons if it were a book or a movie; you can take a series of real events and - without distorting or changing them - you can focus them at your convenience to generate a powerful narrative that arouses emotions and curiosity in the students.
3. Include films and documentaries on historical periods
There are great films, such as "Schindler's List" or "Downfall", which can arouse the sensations and emotions of historical events in a way that is impossible to do through oral transmission. No matter how well we explain the horrors of Nazism, students cannot be aware of their magnitude until they see films which show the impact of Nazism and enable them to empathise with those involved. The occasional use of films or documentaries by history teachers in class can enrich the lesson and provide a greater background to the students.
4. Encourage competition
If most students are bored with the lesson, it is time to organize competitions between groups. You can divide the class into different teams and ask a series of questions about the topic to see which group knows more. It is one of the more important tips for history teachers and a good way to engage students and encourage them to take an active part in the classroom, as they will want to perform well in front of their peers, so they have an extra incentive to learn the lesson and be more attentive.
5. Take trips to museums
If there's a museum or a location near your school that may be relevant to your history classes... do not hesitate to visit with your students! History teachers should be informed about exhibitions related to the issues they address in class, as they can be very enriching for students. Witnessing in person a monument or archaeological remains can help them to have better understanding of life, customs and culture in the past.

Following these tips for history teacher, you can be a better educator and add value to your classes. If you have other strategies or know of other useful resources for history teachers, do not hesitate to share them with us through our different social networks.

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5 Great Tips for History Teachers - GoConqr

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Discover a series of tips for history teachers to make the most dynamic and entertaining classes possible to keep students' attention during your lessons.

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I will include this to my teacher tool kit because it gives important strategies on how to engage middle school students in language arts class.

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You know how engaged middle school students are-in their own emotions, relationships, and TikToks. How do you engage them in your ELA classroom?

It's tough! It's not just about holding their attention while they're in class. We need to provide the kind of real engagement that leads to real learning.

Research confirms (not surprisingly) that getting middle schoolers ready for college and career depends on it, and requires a truly engaging ELA curriculum.

The stakes are high. Sixth-grade students who fail a literacy course are more than 50% more likely to not graduate from high school.

Yet, on average, middle school ELA students spend less than 20% of class time engaged with the text. In a 50-minute class period, that's only 10 minutes of text.

At Amplify, we believe greater engagement with text is key not only for ELA success, but for all academics. That's why we created these four actionable principles of middle school ELA engagement.

Middle school is a moment-one we must seize.

First, here's why middle schoolers require an approach and curriculum designed just for them.

Young people at middle school age are becoming increasingly independent, and increasingly self-conscious. They need to feel respected and safe when they participate, especially when they make mistakes. They're super focused on their peers, but they still depend on guidance from you.

There's a lot going on in their worlds, and there's a lot going on in their brains. In fact, early adolescence is the second-biggest stage of rapid brain development.

The development is happening largely in the prefrontal cortex. It's the area that brain researcher Maryanne Wolf calls "the cognitive workspace." When it comes to middle school ELA curriculum, we want to use strategies that engage students in using their cognitive workspaces.

The 4 principles of middle school engagement

We believe these four principles are most essential to engaging middle school students in developing their literacy skills-and becoming confident, active learners.

1. Enable all students to work up. Providing multiple entry points and scaffolds so that every student can find their way into a text or activity. Here are some differentiation strategies:

1. Incorporate multimedia. Often a video dramatization or audio recording can help students connect with a complex text.

2. Scaffold with passage previews, read-alongs, and questions that make students want to re-read.

3. Don't forget vocab! Daily practice makes a huge difference, especially with assignments designed to challenge students at their level.

2. Provide just right feedback. At this age, it's important for students to see opportunity rather than failure.

1. Quick over-the-shoulder notes feel actionable and encouraging.

2. Training all students to offer helpful comments creates a positive vibe around feedback.

3. Focusing on specifics helps students know how to proceed and improve.

3. Engage multiple modalities, especially collaboration. Students comprehend text in all sorts of ways-hearing, speaking, writing, seeing, performing, and more. Try alternate modalities like dramatic readings or debates, which also give students the benefits of working together.

4. Promote critical thinking. This one's the biggest idea beneath all the others.

To be fully engaged, middle schoolers need to know that their work is relevant and recognized. A truly engaging curriculum supports a range of observations and interpretations. Some approaches:

1. Be clear that the text, not the teacher, has the answers. Ask questions like How did you get to that response? Help students follow this rule: If you can justify it in the text, you can hold on to your interpretation.

2. Guide students to develop theories rather than get it right. For example, ask questions like Why does (or doesn't) this make sense?

3. Try the Socratic style. Emphasizing inquiry and discussion brings home the power of open-ended questions. It also positions the teacher as facilitator, not deliverer of all knowledge.

These principles won't just help your students get through middle school-they'll help you get through to your middle schoolers.

Learn more.

Read more about Amplify ELA, including an overview of the components of the curriculum in grades 6-8.

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4 ways to engage middle school students in ELA

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Explore four key principles that support students and encourage them to develop critical thinking skills in middle school ELA curriculum.

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While summative assessments may not be very beneficial for EBs/ELs because it becomes very stressful and draining for them, this article explains important key points about why summative assessments will help an English Learner improve their English Language skills.

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In most educational contexts, summative assessment - to evaluate student learning by comparing it against course objectives at the end of a period of study - is firmly entrenched.

In elementary and high schools, very few argue with the concept that grading students with summative assessment is important and necessary. Academic accomplishment is the primary method through which society determines a student's future potential.

This continues in tertiary education, where you need to achieve passing grades in a course in order to get your certificate, diploma or degree to be considered for employment.

But English language schools often don't have the same expectations around summative assessment.

One key reason why is because they have non-standardised curriculums, course objectives and testing. Unlike the educational institutions mentioned above, each school can do things their own way - they deliver 'non-accredited courses.'

This has led to the development of a school of thought amongst some English Language Teaching professionals who work in English language schools that summative assessment isn't that important when it comes to ESL students.

'If a course isn't accredited, why go to the trouble of giving tests and exams?' is the argument given. 'It's just a lot of unnecessary work for the teacher and unnecessary stress for the students.'

However, I believe this view to be severely flawed. There are several compelling reasons why summative assessment is important for ESL students.

Reasons Why Summative Assessment is Important

1. Students need to know where they stand

It's a good thing when students receive feedback through summative assessment on their achievement and rate of progress.

Feedback empowers them - after seeing where they currently are when it comes to learning English, they are able to make an informed decision (or their parents can, in the case of children) about how they want to respond.

2. Teaching Life Skills

An ESL course that includes summative assessment doesn't just teach English. It also teaches important life skills. When students know they will be graded, they are more likely to try harder in the classroom, thereby developing the following skills:

Decision making: choosing an answer or how to explain an opinion.

Problem solving: how to improve in a particular area of study

Time management: finding time to complete homework and studying outside the classroom.

Working as a team: in pair or small group exercises and activities.

3. Better job prospects

Even if a potential employer knows that a promising job candidate has completed an ESL course that isn't accredited, they are still likely to be interested in seeing a certificate or transcript that shows the candidate's current level of English if one's available.

How to Record Summative Assessment

It's important for a teacher to provide a clear and comprehensive record of a student's summative assessment when they complete their studies. This should be done in the form of a transcript. It can be added to a certificate or given as a stand-alone document.

Below, I've added a transcript template that includes all of the important elements. Student test scores (or an average of scores) are recorded on the transcript, along with a participation grade, attendance percentage and comments from the teacher.

The level descriptors on the second page of the transcript are linked to Common European Framework of Reference Global Scale Common Reference Levels ( Council of Europe English Language Portfolio, 2011).

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Importance of Summative Assessment For ESL Students | Templates

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Summative assessment is important in any course. BUT...this view is not universally held in the ESL community, but this view is severely flawed.

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When choosing appropriate assessments to assign EBs/ELs, this will be a good link to visit because it gives strategies to know which assessment is best for your EBs/ELs.

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This week's new question-of-the-week is:
What are effective assessment strategies for multilingual learners?
Assessment is a key element of teaching-we need to know where our students are in the learning process, how effective our instructional strategies have been, and if there are additional challenges we need to be aware of as we plan future lessons and student support.

Assessments, however, cannot be used in a one-size-fits-all strategy.

Today, Margo Gottlieb, Vivian Micolta Simmons, Cindy Garcia, and Karen Nemeth, Ed.M., share strategies educators can use to effectively assess English-language learners. Margo, Vivian, and Cindy were also guests on my 10-minute BAM! Radio Show. You can also find a list of, and links to, previous shows here.

Maximizing 'Linguistic and Cultural Equity'

Margo Gottlieb, WIDA co-founder and lead developer, introduces assessment as, for, and of learning in her 2016 book, Assessing English Language Learners: Bridges to Equity, and expands on the approaches in subsequent books, chapters, and articles. Her most current publication is Classroom Assessment in Multiple Languages: A Handbook for Teachers (Corwin, 2021):

When thinking about effective assessment strategies for multilingual learners, what if we switched our attention away from school or district scores generated from testing that leave "gaps" in student performance and revisit data through the lens of stakeholders? Let's start with a series of questions about multilingual learners, our most important stakeholders, to help position their centrality in the assessment process and provide a context for interpreting assessment data.

What are the languages, cultures, and educational backgrounds of your multilingual learners?

To what extent does your language program leverage your multilingual learners' languages and cultures in curriculum and instruction?

To what extent do your multilingual learners connect their personal interests and their home/community life to school?

The first step in planning classroom assessment is to determine its purpose. How might you prioritize the primary reasons for assessing multilingual learners in one or more languages?

Do you want to get a pulse on multilingual learners' thinking, how they are feeling, and their self-reflection on learning? Being more inclusive of students' views and encouraging student agency are features of assessment as learning.

Do you want to provide feedback to multilingual learners to move their learning forward? Acting on insight from the interaction between students and teachers during instruction reflects assessment for learning.

Do you want to contribute to programmatic or schoolwide accountability? Using student projects, performances, and products, along with uniform criteria for success formulated by teachers with input from students, are representations of assessment of learning.

Now that you have a purpose and a corresponding approach to assessment in mind, let's explore their associated effective strategies.

Assessment as learning as a classroom practice is a student-driven activity that broadcasts multilingual learners' voice, empowerment, and identity. Assessment as learning can occur face to face or online when multilingual learners interact with their peers in the language(s) of their choice to:

explore topics or issues of mutual interest

contribute to crafting classroom activities or tasks

engage in self- and peer assessment

pursue learning from their own perspectives

select preferred mode(s) of communication (e.g., oral, written, graphic, visual) for processing information and expressing learning.

Assessment for learning might begin with teacher and student conversations leading to collaboration in making mutually agreed upon learning goals. Both are keenly aware of where multilingual learners are in their learning that is anchored to grade-level academic content and language proficiency/development standards. In assessment for learning, multilingual learners interact with their teachers in English or their shared language(s) to:

co-construct criteria for success and types of acceptable evidence for their work

apply criteria for success to give criterion-referenced feedback

plan differentiated instruction for content and language learning

give feedback in real time to student performance or needs.

Assessment of learning at a classroom level is shaped by teachers, individually or as a department or grade-level team, with input from students. It represents what students have accomplished at the culmination of a period of instruction, such as a unit of learning. Assessment of learning is geared to determining student growth over time and centers on collaboration among teachers with support of school or district leaders to:

match evidence for assessment with learning targets

document extent of meeting standards for units of learning

share of learning for products, performances, or projects

guide student production of capstone projects or portfolios

Together, assessment as, for, and of learning offers a comprehensive system that optimizes opportunities for multilingual learners to participate as educators strive to maximize linguistic and cultural equity for their students.

'Formal and Informal Assessments'
Vivian Micolta Simmons was born in Colombia and has been in the U.S. for seven years. She has been a teacher for 14 years and is currently working as a ESL/DLI lead teacher for the Iredell-Statesville schools in N.C:
When assessing my culturally and linguistically diverse students, I always like to think about my own experience as a language learner. We all function differently; we are all smart with certain dominant areas or language skills. For instance, I consider myself good at speaking and pronunciation, but writing is an area where I need extra help. That does not mean that I cannot produce in a second language. It only means that I need to polish specific language skills.

I like to rely on both formal and informal assessments and make my recommendations-to homeroom teachers and parents-based on the data I can gather from these instruments.

Listening and reading activities, writing prompts (that provide sentence starters), formal and informal conversations (my favorite), and role-plays are some of my preferred activities to assess my students.

Pop quizzes, games, note-sketching, prior knowledge questions, video recordings (like Flipgrid), and formal pretests and post-tests are all part of my assessment arsenal. You can pick and choose from a great selection of data-collection options. For sure, I loathe paper-pencil assessment as the only performance measurement (for children and adults). They do not show what we are all capable of in terms of language production.

Rubrics, Portfolios, & Conferences
Cindy Garcia has been a bilingual educator for 15 years and is currently a districtwide specialist for PK-6 bilingual/ESL mathematics. She is active on Twitter @CindyGarciaTX and on her blog:
When assessing multilingual learners, teachers have to keep in mind both content and language. Teachers also have to be focused about what they assess and academic-language development might not always be something they need to assess.

Rubrics can be an effective way to assess student understanding because there are multiple indicators that students are trying to meet. Rubrics are also a good tool for assessing multilingual learners because they provide a consistent criterion for grading when tasks or projects might be subjective. This criterion helps teachers ignore other factors and use only the criteria in the rubric to assess student learning. Instead of multiple-choice type of assessment where there is only one correct response, a rubric allows the teacher to pinpoint what the student is understanding and what the student has yet to master. A rubric has a rating scale that provides the teacher with a way to provide feedback for students that will help them think about their work, ask questions, seek clarification, and improve their work. Rubrics also help students take ownership of their learning, because they are able to use the rubric to evaluate their work before they submit it for grading.

Portfolios are another great way to assess multilingual learners because the teacher is able to see evidence of student work and learning for a longer period of time than an end-of-unit assessment. This allows the teacher to see if the students "got it" right away and have they been able to "keep it" for longer than the length of the unit of instruction. When compiling a student portfolio, there are usually multiple pieces of evidence or student work for each concept, standard, or topic. Student-work samples could be writing prompts, a project, multiple-choice test, etc. This means that student portfolios also show a clearer picture of how a student learns.

Another effective strategy to assess multilingual learners is student-teacher conferences. Conferring with students provides students the opportunity to explain and share what they have learned without the usual stress of completing a formal test. Conferring also allows the teacher to provide more authentic feedback because it's real-time feedback that addresses student questions, wonderings, or misconceptions. Conferring makes it easier for the teacher to focus the conversation just on content, academic-language development, or another area. The goal of each conference can be focused on the precise needs of each student and provide the specific data that teachers need to plan for instruction.

'Portfolio-Based Assessment'
Karen Nemeth, Ed.M., is an author, consultant, and advocate focusing on early-childhood education for ELLs/DLLs. She has leadership roles in NAEYC, NABE, and TESOL. She hosts a resource website, Language Castle:
Developmentally appropriate assessment strategies for young English-/dual-language learners do not focus on one-shot test scores. The truth is, 4- and 5-year-old children are just not that interested in displaying their knowledge on demand. Terms like portfolio, sampling, and multiple measures guide best practices for the early years.

Children who are developing multiple languages have separate language systems for each of their languages. They learn some content in one language and some content in the other language. Even if they seem very strong in English, they may not have English words for all of the knowledge they've developed in their other language(s).

It is important to provide all screening and assessment in both of their languages. Further, the bilingual brain does not function the same way as two monolingual brains. According to research, the best screening and assessment tools would be designed specifically for bilingual thinkers and would capture what they know and can do in both of their languages. These kinds of tools are not available with sufficient quality and in the variety of languages needed. Kindergarten-entry assessments and other district-mandated monolingual assessments are not very accurate for young children who are multilingual learners. The best approach is to gather data about a child's skills and knowledge through a variety of measures over time. I like to say that, in the early years, assessment is not a score, it's a folder. Scores might be in the folder along with lots of other information that teachers can use to chart a child's progress and determine their learning needs.

The solution recommended by most experts is to practice portfolio-based assessment. Instead of focusing on a snapshot or numeric score, portfolios allow teachers to gather authentic evidence about what each child understands and talks about. Portfolio-assessment software is available with some curriculum models or as independent products. They may include prompts, benchmarks, and a variety of ways to enter data on an ongoing basis.

It is very important that teachers should be allowed to use phones or tablets to record language and activity at any time during the day. This is critical for multilingual learners because it is the most accurate way to fully capture what the children actually say when they are talking in a language that is unfamiliar to the teacher. It is also critical that teacher assistants who are bilingual must be carefully prepared to participate in the assessment process as they may be the only adults who have home-language interactions with some of the bilingual children.

Information obtained from families can be another important component of the assessment process. A teacher might not ask the parents of a 7 th grader about how they are doing with algebra at home, but many preschool and kindergarten children show advances in language and learning at home that may not be evident in the classroom. For example, a shy English-learner may not participate in singing activities at school but the family might send a video of the child singing happily with sophisticated lyrics at home. Young children may not always perform on demand or in expected ways at school. Families can also provide cultural context and information about the young child's interests that help the teacher scaffold learning for each individual child. Multiple measures over an array of activities and times of day will make it possible for young children to show more accurately what they know and can do-and what they are ready to do next.

Thanks to Margo, Vivian, Cindy, and Karen for their contributions!

Please feel free to leave a comment with your reactions to the topic or directly to anything that has been said in this post.

Consider contributing a question to be answered in a future post. You can send one to me at lferlazzo@epe.org. When you send it in, let me know if I can use your real name if it's selected or if you'd prefer remaining anonymous and have a pseudonym in mind.
Just a reminder; you can subscribe and receive updates from this blog via email (The RSS feed for this blog, and for all Ed Week articles, has been changed by the new redesign-new ones won't be available until February). And if you missed any of the highlights from the first nine years of this blog, you can see a categorized list below. I am also creating a Twitter list including all contributors to this column.
You can also contact me on Twitter at @Larryferlazzo.

Education Week has published a collection of posts from this blog, along with new material, in an e-book form. It's titled Classroom Management Q&As: Expert Strategies for Teaching.

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Four educators share practical assessment strategies to support English-language learners.

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This is a good link to have in my teacher toolkit because when students have had a long day of learning, I can incorporate one of these activities in the lesson plan to give students a brain break.

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Games and fun activities are a vital part of teaching English as a foreign language. Whether you're teaching adults or children, games will liven up your lesson and ensure that your students will leave the classroom wanting more.

Games can be used to warm up the class before your lesson begins, during the lesson to give students a break when you're tackling a tough subject, or at the end of class when you have a few minutes left to kill. There are literally hundreds, probably thousands, of games that you can play with your students. EFL games are used to test vocabulary, practice conversing, learn tenses - the list is endless.

This list of ten classic ESL games every teacher should know will help get you started and feeling prepared. Having these up your sleeve before stepping into the classroom will ensure your lessons run smoothly, and, should things get a little out of control, you'll be able to pull back the attention of the class in no time.
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1. Board Race

There isn't an EFL teacher I know who doesn't use this game in the classroom. Board Race is a fun game that is used for revising vocabulary, whether it be words from the lesson you've just taught or words from a lesson you taught last week. It can also be used at the start of the class to get students active. It is a great way of testing what your students already know about the subject you're about to teach.

This is best played with 6 students or more - the more, the better. I've used it in classes ranging from 7-25 years of age and it's worked well in all age groups.

How to Play:

Split the class into two teams and give each team a colored marker.

If you have a very large class, it may be better to split the students into teams of 3 or 4.

Draw a line down the middle of the board and write a topic at the top.

The students must then write as many words as you require related to the topic in the form of a relay race.

Each team wins one point for each correct word. Any words that are unreadable or misspelled are not counted.

2. Call My Bluff / Two Truths and A Lie

Call My Bluff is a fun game which is perfect at the start of term as a 'getting to know you' kind of game. It is also a brilliant ice breaker between students if you teach classes who do not know one another -- and especially essential if you are teaching a small class size.

The game is excellent for practicing speaking skills, though make sure you save a time for after the game to comment on any mistakes students may have made during the game. (I generally like to reserve this for after the game, so you don't disrupt their fluency by correcting them as they speak).

With older groups you can have some real fun and you might be surprised what you'll learn about some of your students when playing this particular EFL game.

How to play:

Write 3 statements about yourself on the board, two of which should be lies and one which should be true.

Allow your students to ask you questions about each statement and then guess which one is the truth. You might want to practice your poker face before starting this game!

If they guess correctly then they win.

Extension: Give students time to write their own two truths and one lie.

Pair them up and have them play again, this time with their list, with their new partner. If you want to really extend the game and give students even more time to practice their speaking/listening skills, rotate partners every five minutes.

Bring the whole class back together and have students announce one new thing they learned about another student as a recap.

3. Simon Says

This is an excellent game for young learners. Whether you're waking them up on a Monday morning or sending them home on a Friday afternoon, this one is bound to get them excited and wanting more. The only danger I have found with this game is that students never want to stop playing it.

How to Play:

Stand in front of the class (you are Simon for the duration of this game).

Do an action and say Simon Says [action]. The students must copy what you do.

Repeat this process choosing different actions - you can be as silly as you like and the sillier you are the more the children will love you for it.

Then do an action but this time say only the action and omit 'Simon Says'. Whoever does the action this time is out and must sit down.

The winner is the last student standing.

To make it harder, speed up the actions. Reward children for good behavior by allowing them to play the part of Simon.

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4. Word Jumble Race

This is a great game to encourage team work and bring a sense of competition to the classroom. No matter how old we are, we all love a good competition and this game works wonders with all age groups. It is perfect for practicing tenses, word order, reading & writing skills and grammar.

How to play:

Write out a number of sentences, using different colors for each sentence. I suggest having 3-5 sentences for each team.

Cut up the sentences so you have a handful of words.

Put each sentence into hats, cups or any objects you can find, keeping each separate.

Split your class into teams of 2, 3, or 4. You can have as many teams as you want but remember to have enough sentences to go around.

Teams must now put their sentences in the correct order.

The winning team is the first team to have all sentences correctly ordered.

5. Hangman

This classic game is a favorite for all students but it can get boring quite quickly. This game is best used for 5 minutes at the start to warm the class up or 5 minutes at the end if you've got some time left over. It works no matter how many students are in the class.

How to play:

Think of a word and write the number of letters on the board using dashes to show many letters there are.

Ask students to suggest a letter. If it appears in the word, write it in all of the correct spaces. If the letter does not appear in the word, write it off to the side and begin drawing the image of a hanging man.

Continue until the students guess the word correctly (they win) or you complete the diagram (you win).

6. Pictionary

This is another game that works well with any age group; children love it because they can get creative in the classroom, teenagers love it because it doesn't feel like they're learning, and adults love it because it's a break from the monotony of learning a new language - even though they'll be learning as they play.

Pictionary can help students practice their vocabulary and it tests to see if they're remembering the words you've been teaching.

How to play:

Before the class starts, prepare a bunch of words and put them in a bag.

Split the class into teams of 2 and draw a line down the middle of the board.

Give one team member from each team a pen and ask them to choose a word from the bag.

Tell the students to draw the word as a picture on the board and encourage their team to guess the word.

The first team to shout the correct answer gets a point.

The student who has completed drawing should then nominate someone else to draw for their team.

Repeat this until all the words are gone - make sure you have enough words that each student gets to draw at least once!

7. The Mime

Miming is an excellent way for students to practice their tenses and their verbs. It's also great for teachers with minimal resources or planning time, or teachers who want to break up a longer lesson with something more interactive. It's adaptable to almost any language point that you might be focusing on.

This game works with any age group, although you will find that adults tire of this far quicker than children. To keep them engaged, relate what they will be miming to your groups' personal interests as best as possible.

How to play:

Before the class, write out some actions - like washing the dishes - and put them in a bag.

Split the class into two teams.

Bring one student from each team to the front of the class and one of them choose an action from the bag.

Have both students mime the action to their team.

The first team to shout the correct answer wins a point.

Repeat this until all students have mimed at least one action.

8. Hot Seat

This is one of my students' favorite games and is always at the top of the list when I ask them what they want to play. I have never used this while teaching ESL to adults, but I imagine it would work well.

Hot Seat allows students to build their vocabulary and encourages competition in the classroom. They are also able to practice their speaking and listening skills and it can be used for any level of learner.

How to play:

Split the class into 2 teams, or more if you have a large class.

Elect one person from each team to sit in the Hot Seat, facing the classroom with the board behind them.

Write a word on the board. One of the team members of the student in the hot seat must help the student guess the word by describing it. They have a limited amount of time and cannot say, spell or draw the word.

Continue until each team member has described a word to the student in the Hot Seat.

9. Where Shall I Go?

This game is used to test prepositions of movement and should be played after this subject has been taught in the classroom. This game is so much fun but it can be a little bit dangerous since you'll be having one student in each pair be blindfolded while the other directs them. So make sure to keep your eyes open!

It is also excellent for the adult EFL classroom, or if you're teaching teenagers.

How to play:

Before the students arrive, turn your classroom into a maze by rearranging it. It's great if you can do this outside, but otherwise push tables and chairs together and move furniture to make your maze.

When your students arrive, put them in pairs outside the classroom. Blindfold one student from each pair.

Allow pairs to enter the classroom one at a time; the blindfolded student should be led through the maze by their partner. The students must use directions such as step over, go under, go up, and go down to lead their partner to the end of the maze.

10. What's My Problem?

This is a brilliant EFL game to practice giving advice. It should be played after the 'giving advice' vocabulary lesson has taken place. It is a great way for students to see what they have remembered and what needs reviewing. This game works well with any age group, just adapt it to fit the age you're working with.

How to play:

Write ailments or problems related to your most recent lesson on post-it notes and stick one post-it note on each student's back.

The students must mingle and ask for advice from other students to solve their problem.

Students should be able to guess their problem based on the advice they get from their peers.

Use more complicated or obscure problems to make the game more interesting for older students. For lower levels and younger students, announce a category or reference a recent lesson, like "Health", to help them along.

These games will keep your students engaged and happy as they learn! Remember, these are just ten on the hundreds of different EFL games that you can plat with your students. As you get more confident in the classroom, you can start putting your own spin on games and eventually make up your own.

Whatever the age of your students, they're guaranteed to love playing EFL games in the classroom. An EFL classroom should be fun, active and challenging and these games are sure to get you heading in the right direction.
This article was originally published in October 2013; we redesigned and updated this article in May 2018.
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10 Fun ESL Games and Activities for Teaching Kids English Abroad

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Want to make your ESL classroom a more fun and educational place to be? These 10 great games will help teach your students during your time as an ESL teacher abroad.

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These are just more ideas of fun learning activities that will engage EBs/ELs in the classroom.

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Getting playful with the English language is a great way to push your students' creativity and show them how useful their knowledge really is.

And the best way to do that is with fun ESL games for the classroom!

There's nothing like a room full of friendly competition and laughter to make learning more fun.

Read on below for 39 ESL group activities that will get your students engaged and practicing their English. We'll also discuss grouping strategies for effective gameplay.

Contents

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere.Click here to get a copy. (Download)

ESL Vocabulary and Spelling Games

1. Vocabulary Showcase Game Show

Best for: Big groups; communication

In the Vocabulary Showcase Game Show, students will learn new words through firsthand communication. Students must explain the chosen word to their teammate without saying the word.

All you need is a whiteboard, a timer and a list of vocab words that students already have a fairly good grasp on.

How to play:

Review the vocabulary words if needed or desired.

Divide the class into two teams. Team A will choose their first contestant to start the game.

Student A from Team A will stand with their back to the whiteboard.

The teacher writes a vocabulary word on the board and starts the clock. Two minutes per word is best practice in order to get multiple students involved.

Once the clock starts, Team A will do their best to describe the vocabulary word. They cannot use the word or spell it out.

If Student A guesses the correct word, Team A gets a point.

Switch. Now Team B will send up their first member to guess a new vocabulary word. Same rules apply.

At the end, the team with the most points wins.

2. How's Yours?

Best for: Small groups; beginners

This ESL game will have students guess the object everyone is talking about by asking the eponymous question: "How's yours?"

You don't need anything to play this game, though it may be helpful to have some slightly more challenging words to offer your students if they're struggling as the game leader.

How to play:

Select a student to go first (or ask for a volunteer).

This player is sent into the hall or somewhere out of earshot.

The teacher will be game leader first. Pick a body part, type of clothing, common person or common object and inform your students of the secret word. Possibilities might include: shoes, mouth, car, mother, teacher or ring.

The first player comes back into the room.

The player's goal now is to figure out what the secret word is by asking each student, "How's yours?" Each student should respond in just two or three words. Remind them-no pointing!

Once the first player has an answer from each student, they must guess what the object is. Use points or rewards as desired.

Continue by having the first player become the game leader; a new student will go into the hall and be the guesser.

Tip: Pick the shy students early so they can play more confidently after they've been the guesser.

Example:

The secret word is "teeth."

When the player asks their question ("How's yours?"), students might respond:

3. Fly Swat

Best for: End of the lesson; practicing synonyms/antonyms/homonyms

This fun ESL game is a race to the board! Students will compete to be the first to find the answer and swat it with their fly swatter.

You'll need two fly swatters, PowerPoint and a projector. You can substitute the PowerPoint/projector combo for a simple whiteboard, but just know you'll probably have to do some rewriting throughout the game. It also helps to prepare your questions ahead of time.

How to play:

Feel free to ask the same question more than once (repetition is part of the learning process!).

4. Shiritori Showdown

Best for: Warm ups; quick thinking

The word shiritori is Japanese for "chicken's behind." Each student will use the last letter of the previous word to make a new one. If the timer goes off-you're out!

It can be played in any sized group, and the only thing you need is a timer.

How to play:

Example:

(Teacher sets the timer to 30 seconds.)

Teacher: I'll start. Mois t.

Student 3: Like. Like. Like. Umm...

(Timer beeps. Student 3 is out.)

5. Hangman

Best for: All lesson types

Hangman is an oldie but a goodie. Students must guess the letters of the alphabet to figure out a word or phrase before the hangman's drawing is complete.

All you need is paper and pencils-or just a whiteboard if you want to play as a class. Let students take turns picking the word and drawing the blanks. Encourage using new vocabulary words so they can practice spelling.

(I found the original drawing inappropriate for younger students, so I usually drew my stick figure on the plank of a ship over a sea of monsters. As a bonus, students loved being chosen to draw one of the sea monsters on the board before the game began!)

How to play:

The leader draws the setup and the blanks for the chosen word or phrase.

Students take turns guessing letters of the alphabet to fill in the blanks. Correct guesses are written into place in the blanks. For each incorrect guess, the leader adds one body part of the "hangman" to the drawing.

If the guessers get the correct word first, they win. If the picture of the person is completed first, the leader wins.

Switch out the leader and play again!

For extra fun, watch a video clip first, then play Hangman using only words from the clip. And for extra practice, at the end of each round, ask students to talk about the definition of the uncovered word or try to use it in a sentence.

6. Jeopardy

Best for: Big groups; comprehensive review; critical thinking; speaking skills; teamwork

Jeopardy is another classic English classroom game that helps students build their confidence. You'll set it up just like the TV show: a big board with answers and points, where students will need to provide the missing question.

For Jeopardy, you'll need PowerPoint or an internet connection with an online jeopardy board, plus a projector.

How to play:

Prepare a jeopardy board with questions on the chosen subject matter. You can do this on PowerPoint with a premade template, or use Jeopardy Labs for easy set up.

Assign point values that align with the difficulty of each question to ensure a fair distribution of points. Don't forget to include a "Daily Double" for extra fun!

In class, split the students into even groups of four, five or six. Adjust the number according to the number of students in the classroom. For the ideal playing situation, there should be 4-6 groups.

After the class has been split into groups, the first group chooses a subject and point value.

Read the corresponding question aloud. Anyone in class can raise their hand to answer the question.

The first hand up gets to answer. If they're right, their group receives the points and gets to pick the next question. If they're wrong, subtract the points from that team; another group gets a chance to answer.

The group with the most points at the end of the game wins!

Note: You may want to select a spokesperson for each group to keep chaos to a minimum. Rotate the spokesperson every few turns so everyone gets the opportunity to speak.

7. Backdraw

Best for: Big groups; all lesson types; spelling and vocabulary skills

Backdraw is one of the most popular games in classrooms and works for any level. In this game, the students aren't allowed to talk.

How to play:

8. Sparkle

Best for: Big groups; teambuilding; from beginner to advanced students

This game focuses heavily on spelling and team skills, and it's a great way to cement the difficult words on your vocabulary list.

How to play:

This game can also be made more or less challenging by choosing higher or lower level words. Also, for more advanced students, they can be asked to spell the word backward.

9. Squat

Best for: Beginners; big groups; pronunciation practice

This game is an excellent way to use physical activity in the classroom while also engaging the brain in language learning.

How to play:

This game can be made more challenging by having the teacher speak faster, or having the students say and spell the word.

ESL Listening Games

10. Flash Art

Best for: Creative students; reading comprehension practice

You'll give your students scenarios in English and let them create quick interpretations through drawing. This ESL game offers a break from tough topics and traditional book learning.

For this game, you need plenty of paper and drawing materials like colored pencils, markers or crayons.

How to play:

Note: You may only have time to do one or two Flash Art scenarios per session.

Examples:

11. Find Someone Who...

Best for: Big groups

Students must be quick to listen and comprehend the spoken statement, or they'll end up in the middle where they'll have to come up with the next statement themselves.

The teacher can have a prepared list of "Finds," or students can make up their own in this fun ESL game.

How to play:

Examples:

The possibilities are endless! Students can find someone who:

12. Telephone

Best for: Big groups; speaking skills; pronunciation practice

Telephone is another classic. Students will whisper a given phrase down the line. The last person will announce the likely convoluted sentence to the class for everyone's amusement.

This ESL game is easy to play-no materials needed!

How to play:

To make this game competitive, split the class into two teams and see who gets closest to the original phrase.

13. Song Puzzle

Best for: Small groups; sentence order review; listening practice; speaking skills

Song Puzzle is a fun ESL classroom game that will get your students jamming along to music. You'll play a song while they arrange the lyrics in the proper order.

To set up this game, select an appropriate song (if you have young students, check out this resource for some suggestions). Print a copy of the lyrics for each small group in your class. Cut each one into strips to create a complete set of lyrics for each group.

How to play:

Make sure all your materials are prepared before class begins (the song is printed and cut into strips, and you have enough sets for each group).

Separate students into small groups of two or three. Give each group a complete set of lyric strips.

Play the song. Groups will try to organize the lyrics into the correct order.

Continue replaying the song until a team is done. Check the order of their lyrics.

The first group to organize the lyrics correctly wins.

Continue playing until all groups have figured out the correct order of the lyrics.

Use the lyrics to sing the song aloud as a class!

Depending on the song you choose, you can use the lyrics to teach a specific set of vocabulary or a grammar concept. For example, check out this list of songs with passive voice in the lyrics!

ESL Games for Communication and Teamwork

14. Question Volley

Best for: Big groups; speaking skills

In Question Volley, students will ask and answer questions on the spot to boost their confidence in responding to questions naturally and quickly.

All you need for this fun ESL game is a small ball! For added fun, you can always change up what you're tossing around: a potato, a soccer ball, a frisbee, etc.

How to play:

Make sure to encourage quick questions and answers to give this a real-life feel.

Examples:

If your lesson topic is sports, some questions might be:

For more example questions, try this resource-and check out our dedicated post on ESL movie activities.

15. My Name is X, and I Like X

Best for: Combining with a vocabulary lesson; big groups; speaking skills; memory recall

Students will introduce themselves and something they enjoy. Depending on the level of your class, they may learn introductions, transitive verbs and first- and third-person sentence structures.

You don't need anything for this game, but note that the more randomly you call on students, the more likely they'll pay attention to others' responses instead of counting how many more turns until they have to participate.

How to play:

For beginners:

Sit in a circle with your class.

Introduce yourself using this format: "My name is X, and I like X."
For example: "My name is Mr. Smith, and I like to read."

Have the next student introduce themself using the same format.

Continue until every student has had a turn.

For more advanced students, include memory recall. Ask students to introduce themselves and the previous student. That is: "His/her name is X, and he/she likes X. My name is X, and I like X."

The most advanced way to play this game is to include questions, like so:

16. Reporter

Best for: Listening comprehension; conversation practice; speaking/writing skills

In Reporter, students will ask their partner questions in the form of an interview. You may ask them to present or submit their partner's response in writing.

If you choose to focus on writing practice, you'll need paper and pencils. Otherwise, simply have some sample interview questions prepared to get the class started with this game.

How to play:

You can also turn this into a more elaborate game by assigning the interviews as homework.

In that case, have students present their partners to the class without giving the identity of the partner. The class has to guess who the person is based on the presentation.

17. Secrets

Best for: Quiet/lethargic classes

Students will use questioning skills to work out whose secret they know. Get them moving around the room and chatting with this fun ESL classroom game.

You'll need some slips of paper and something to hold them in-a hat or a small bowl will do nicely.

How to play:

Ask each student to write down a secret on a piece of paper. Check that the secrets are written down correctly, but don't betray students' secrets to their classmates!

Have each student fold their paper and put it in a hat.

Each student will then draw a secret from the hat.

Once each student has a secret, they will walk around the classroom asking other students questions to find out whose secret they have. They can't directly say what's on the paper!

Example:

The secret says, "I have five cats."

The person holding the secret might ask a classmate:

Do you like animals?

How many animals live in your house?

18. Find a Partner

Best for: Big groups; speaking skills; combining with a vocabulary lesson

In this ESL game, you'll give students a category. They'll write their favorite thing in that category on a piece of paper. Then they'll search for someone who wrote the same thing-without actually using any of the words they wrote down!

All you need for this one is some small pieces of paper.

How to play:

To make sure this game is working as intended, the teacher must moderate effectively. Walk the room to ensure students are practicing proper English. Correct them as needed based on topics you've covered in class.

19. What Sweet Treat Am I?

Best for: Beginner and intermediate students; speaking practice

Students will take turns asking questions to figure out what sweet treat they are in this fun ESL classroom game.

For this one, you'll need tape and as many kinds of candy as you have students in class (so, 10 students means 10 different types of candy). Make sure it's candy they're familiar with.

How to play:

Tape a candy wrapper to each student's back.

Put the students in a circle.

Tell students how many questions they can ask before they'll need to make a guess, and decide what will happen if they get it right/wrong (points, guess again, player is out, etc.).

Select someone to go first.

The first player stands up and turns around so everyone can see their candy wrapper.

The player can ask the group yes or no questions to get clues about their candy.

After the set number of questions, the player must guess.

Continue until all sweet treats have been guessed and revealed.

Example:
The standing player might ask some of the following questions:

ESL Speaking Games

20. Who Am I? What Am I?

Best for: Advanced students; practicing asking questions

This is a slightly more advanced version of the "What Sweet Treat Am I?" activity. It can be modified to include writing if you ask the students to create the cards, rather than doing it yourself.
How to play:
For more advanced students, cards can list literary characters, book titles or even idioms. Another option is to keep all of the cards related to one theme, like health words, clothing, colors or even slang.

21. Question Master

Best for: Experienced speakers; creative thinking

Question Master helps your students figure out what to ask in a given situation. Set up the scenario and let them ask away!

All you need for this game is a timer. Any amount of people is good, but note that this ESL game works best with more experienced speakers who are comfortable creating sentences on the fly.

How to play:

Choose a scenario for the class, like at a café, at the airport, or even on a date.

Set the timer. Begin.

Each student must ask a question relevant to the scenario. Encourage creativity with this one!

Continue until the timer goes off. The student is out or the game is over.

Example:

(Teacher sets the timer to a minute and thirty seconds.)

Teacher: Okay, the scenario is at a shop. Go!

Student 1: How much is this?

Student 2: Do you accept credit cards?

22. Time Trials

Best for: Individual students

Instead of racing against others, students are trying to get their own personal best time for English speaking. They're aiming for speed and precision.

While you could do this with an ESL class, it's particularly helpful for individual learners. You'll just need a topic and a timer that starts from zero.

How to play:

Example:

Teacher: Okay, tell me your name, age, where you're from, and what you do. Ready? Go! (Starts timer.)

Student: My name is... (continues talking)

(Teacher stops the timer when the student finishes.)

23. Balloon Truth or Dare

Best for: Outgoing students

This is a slight twist on the classic truth or dare. Inside balloons are truths (personal questions) and dares (silly actions), which students must complete in front of the class.

You'll need balloons (at least enough for each student in the class) and slips of paper, as well as truths and dares. Feel free to adapt statements using vocabulary and grammar suitable for the level you're teaching.

How to play:

A small tip: You may want to start with your more outgoing students. But don't let your shy students be last either-try to call them out around the middle to help manage their anxiety.

Examples:

For some possible dares, you might write:

Do a popular dance.

Sing a class song by yourself.

Pretend like you're riding a horse.

Snore or snort.

And for some possible truths, you might write:

24. Word Warm Ups

Best for: Warm ups; grammar review; creative thinking

In Word Warm Ups, students will attempt to use the given English concept in a sentence before time runs out.

You'll need a timer. If the timer is your phone and you don't want it passed around the room, you'll also need a small ball or another easily passable item.

How to play:

Example:

(Teacher sets the timer to a minute and thirty seconds.)

Teacher: Okay, so sentences using the phrase, "even though." Go!

Student 1: Hmm... I like Canada even though it's very cold.

Student 2: Okay. Even though she's only 30, she's too old for me.

Student 3: Hmm, I... umm. Even though, umm...

(Timer goes off. Student 3 is out.)

25. Mayor (a.k.a. Don't Vote for Me)

Best for: Advanced students; speech-giving practice

Mayor requires both higher English ability and an appreciation of irony. If your class has both, this game may get shy students to take risks and even be a bit silly. Students will run to NOT become mayor.

No materials are needed. Note that you may want to lower the intensity for your shy students by having everyone stand at their desk to speak rather than the front of the classroom.

How to play:
Example:
"I would hate to be mayor. Do not vote for me. I do not like to be around smelly, old citizens. Children are noisy. Who cares about education?"

26. Reading Race

Best for: Reading class; small groups; reading speed; pronunciation practice

This English classroom game will have students race against the clock to finish the reading passage. The key is that they must do so with no mistakes.

You'll need a timer and reading material to play, so this game is especially great if your class has a reading text they're working through.

How to play:

Provide students with the reading passage you want them to practice. Make sure everyone's on the correct page.

Set the time and begin the timer.

Each student will attempt to read the next sentence (or the whole passage) perfectly.

If they mispronounce a word or rush through a sentence, correct them. They must start again from the beginning.

Once they've read the given part with no mistakes, it's the next student's turn.

The student who's reading when the timer goes off is out!

Example:

(Teacher sets the timer to two minutes.)

Teacher: Okay, reading race, page 7. Ready? Go!

Student 1: (Reads passage perfectly)

Student 2: (Reads passage but has an error with pronunciation)

Teacher: (Tells student correct pronunciation) Sorry, reread!

Student 2: (Reads passage perfectly)

Student 3: (Reading but struggling a bit)

(Timer goes off. Student 3 seems to be having some trouble with these games! They're out.)

27. I Took a Trip to the USA

Best for: Big groups; listening skills; memory recall

This speaking game puts an emphasis on listening, focus and memory-building skills while also encouraging students to recall vocabulary.

How to play:

Teach the students the speech they must learn for every turn in the game: "I took a trip to the USA, and with me I took..."

The first student says the sentence, and names an object starting with an "A." For example, "...and with me I took an apple."

The next student must repeat the first word, then add a word that starts with a "B." For example, "...and with me I took an apple and a banana."

Every following student must repeat every word previously said, and add a word starting with the next letter of the alphabet. For example, "...and with me I took an apple, a banana, and a cat."

The game continues until a word cannot be named or a word is forgotten.

This is a very flexible game that can be adapted to any classroom. First, be specific on wanting students to use articles and the word "and" before the last word. Also, you can give the classroom a category to follow, such as asking them to name animals or foods.

ESL Games for Creative Thinking

28. Storytelling Memory Game

Best for: Speaking skills; memory recall; vocabulary building; sentence structure review

Together, the class will tell a story out loud by finishing each others' sentences in this ESL game.

Smaller groups make this game easier, while larger groups will really test students' memories. No materials needed!

How to play:

Begin by sitting in a circle.

The first person (this can be you, but it doesn't have to be) starts the story with a fragment, such as: "It was a dark and stormy night..."

The next person in the circle must repeat what the first person said and add a phrase of their own.

Continue going around the circle until someone messes up. You can start over, prompt them or something else.

In the end, you could have students write down the story. Or write it on a poster board and hang it up in your classroom for students to remember and get a good laugh!

Example:

Teacher: It was a dark and stormy night...

Student 1: It was a dark and stormy night and no one was around.

Student 2: It was a dark and stormy night and no one was around. Suddenly, there was the sound of...

29. Two Truths and a Lie

Best for: The first class; advanced students; speaking/writing skills; conversation practice

In this game, each student will present three statements about themselves-two are true, and one is false. Their classmates must ask questions in order to determine which statement is the lie.

Two Truths and a Lie only requires a whiteboard (or anything you can write on).

How to play:

Ensure the class understands the meaning of both "truth" and "lie."

You'll go first as an example. On the board, write two truths and one lie about yourself.

Tell the class that one of the statements on the board is not true.

Students may ask you non-specific questions about what you wrote. You may want to give a question limit to raise the stakes of the game.

Once the questioning is over, students will write down which statement they believe to be the lie.

You can ask them to share their guesses and why they came to that conclusion.

Reveal the lie!

Select a student to take your place. The game repeats until everyone has had a turn.

Example:

One statement says: "I enjoy running every morning."

Students may ask things like:

What kind of running shoes do you have?

What time do you begin your run?

30. Funny Papers

Best for: Writing practice; collaboration; pair or small group play

Funny Papers is a fun ESL game where students are asked to fill in the blank speech bubbles of a comic strip.

Using the Sunday funny papers or some blank comic strips online, white out the text of each character's speech bubbles or dialogue boxes. Make enough copies for your class.

How to play:

31. Dictionary

Best for: Any level; speaking skills; writing skills

If you know the game Balderdash, you'll recognize Dictionary. One team member will lead the way. Players will guess the definition of a difficult word, and a judge will decide their favorite answer. In the end, someone wins a treat!

You'll need dictionaries or vocabulary lists (with definitions) for this game. You'll also need sticky notes for each group and some prize candy.

How to play:

Split the class into groups of five or six students.

Give each group a packet of sticky notes and a dictionary/vocab list.

For each group, select a leader and a judge. (Tip: Try picking the shyest students to steer the groups first.)

The leader finds a word in the dictionary/on the list that they do not believe anyone else knows. The leader writes the correct definition of the word on the sticky note.

The leader spells the word out loud, and everyone except the judge writes it down on their own sticky note.

Everyone except the leader and judge will now make up their own definition of the word and write it on their sticky note as well. The students can come up with a silly definition, try to guess the correct definition or try to fool the judge with something that sounds convincing.

The leader collects the definitions and gives them to the judge.

The judge reads each definition out loud. (If your judge has a flair for the dramatic, all the better!)

After reading all the definitions, the judge decides which one they like best. The player who wrote it gets a piece of candy.

The roles switch. The judge becomes the leader and a new judge is selected.

Keep playing until every student has had a chance to be both the judge and the leader.

Example:

The leader picks the word "sundry." She spells it out for the players.

The leader writes the correct definition on her note ("miscellaneous").

One player thinks about the literal meaning and writes: "wet clothes left outside."

Another player guesses: "popcorn."

Another player decides to be silly and writes: "lying to your teacher."

The leader mixes up the definitions and hands them to the judge. The judge reads each definition out loud, and everyone has a good laugh.

The judge decides she likes the "wet clothes left outside" definition. The player who wrote this gets the candy and then the leader explains that the correct definition is "miscellaneous."

32. Oral Storytelling

Best for: Listening comprehension; speaking practice

Students have to be able to follow along with the story, listening closely to what the people before them just said, and they have to think critically to build a correct sentence of their own.

For beginning ESL students, consider speaking sentences out loud yourself and asking them to add one word at a time. They could even draw or hold up pictures to add to the story.
How to play:

Have students sit in a circle. Begin telling a story by speaking one sentence aloud.

The student on your left should add to the story by speaking a second sentence aloud.

The student to his or her left should speak the next sentence aloud, and so on.

Keep the story going around the circle one sentence at a time until it comes to a logical conclusion.

Remind students that each sentence should build on the one before it.

It's easy for students to add in something offbeat or random to try to be silly, but the goal of this lesson is to create a logical story. One way to keep the story on track might be to record it.

33. Written Storytelling

Best for: Working as a team; writing practice

This is a bit like a word association game, but requires that the students expand on that to create a story.

For more advanced students, consider assigning topics that require students to discuss customs or cultural norms, like privacy, personal space, hygiene or dining.
How to play:
Both the written storytelling and the small group discussion that follows are valuable practice time. Together, they'll help students practice written and spoken English in one swoop.

ESL Grammar Games

34. Would You Rather

Best for: Making learning conditionals fun and and lively

This classic sleepover and bus trip game, ideal for getting participants to know more about each other, can be a perfect giggle-inducing grammar game to reinforce recent lessons. The game is simple enough, driven by straightforward questions and answers.

The main use for this game in the ESL classroom is to practice using conditionals and discussing hypothetical situations ( would you):

Would you rather get stung by a bee or bit by a spider?

Would you rather dance in front of ten thousand people or in front of the President of the United States?
How to Play:
Example: "Sara, how many of your classmates would rather dance in front of the President of the United States?" Then this student must tell you how many people chose this option in her group or in the class.

35. Conjugation Pyramid

Best for: Learning verb conjugations

Similar to blackboard race, the conjugation pyramid is a race-to-win classic that is beloved by language students everywhere. Set this one up for the very end of class when there are a few minutes remaining-this will really get the pressure cooking.
How to play:
36. Tic-Tac-Toe

Best for: Learning parts of speech
How to play:
37. Shootin' Hoops

Best for: Getting students physical as they reinforce grammar lessons

Go down to the school's gymnasium, playground or set up a makeshift basketball hoop in the classroom. You can manage this without damaging school property by simply setting up a hula hoop or other plastic ring as the "hoop" and by playing with a small inflatable or foam ball.
How to play:

Break the students into two groups or have them play individually against the rest of their classmates.

There are two ways to go about playing this one. Before being allowed to take a shot, each student must either:

Answer a question with the appropriate featured grammar pattern.

Create a basic statement using the featured grammar pattern.

If the student gets their answer or statement wrong or doesn't phrase it properly, they won't get to take a shot.

If the student passes this part of the game, they get to take a shot. If they score, they get 2 points. If they don't score but got the question right, they get 1 point.

38. Hot Potato

Best for: Encouraging quick thinking about grammar points
How to play:
Example: Tell students learning the present tense that they must each say one verb conjugated in the present tense, using first person singular or "I form." Each student will then have to say something like, "I run," "I dance" or "I cry." The ball gets passed around and around, with students being eliminated whenever they draw blanks or conjugate their verbs wrong.

For easier games, give each student 6-8 seconds. For harder, faster paced games, give students 2-3 seconds. You can also start slower and gradually increase the pace of the game as it progresses.

39. Word Chain

Best for: Thinking quickly and creatively
How to play:
4 Ways to Group Your Students

You've got your pockets full of group ideas that work in class. But believe it or not, how you group your students might be more important than the actual activities you do.

But what's the secret to grouping students the right way?

Here are four ways you can put your students together and why you might choose to group them each particular way.

Group by Varying Skill Levels

Did you know that even native speakers change the way they talk based on who they're talking to and that person's language use? It's part of the feedback mechanism of the brain and why you might acquire a bit of a Southern accent when talking to your friend from Alabama or why you might start dropping final g's if you hang out in New York for any length of time.

Because when you group lower level students with higher level students, they'll automatically and subconsciously improve their English usage just by hearing and talking to more advanced students. Crazy, isn't it?

While a more advanced student will likely speak more like their lower level student partner, too, they aren't losing out on the deal. We learn more when we teach. And when you group advanced students with lower level students, they'll learn by teaching the other members of their group even if they don't realize what's happening. If you have a mixed level class, don't despair. Your students can learn as much from each other as they do from you when they're in these types of groups.

Group by Same Skill Level

While students can learn a lot by working with classmates at different language skill levels, that isn't always the way you want to partner up your students. Sometimes mixed level groups can be dominated by advanced speakers and beginning students can get lost in the mix.

Not so when your groups are selected for their similar language proficiency.

In a group of all beginners, someone will have to speak up, and that means your lower level students will be talking more in class. In your group of all advanced students, everyone may want to drive the conversation. That means the members of that group will have to work on their discourse skills like taking turns speaking and using active listening. If you have students who dominate the conversation in class, this might be the right type of group for you.

Group by Same First Language

Have you ever heard that grouping students with others who speak the same first language is taboo? Forget about it. Your students will actually be able to help each other in very unique ways when they're grouped with others that speak the same first language.

More advanced students understand the specific language struggles faced by beginning students and can help them through struggles that they themselves have already overcome. Your advanced students can also explain using their native language which is a great advantage when you've tried everything to communicate to your students and they still aren't getting what you're trying to say.

Grouping by the same first language is also an advantage when you're discussing some sensitive topics, those that might hit a cultural hot button. While not every speaker of a language comes from the same culture, many do, and if you're afraid of cultural flare-ups because of a certain topic, try grouping your students this way to minimize the drama that might otherwise come up.

Group by Different First Languages

Have I convinced you that grouping by the same native language is a good thing? Well, stop it. At least sometimes. Because mixed L1 groups are useful to students in other ways. When all the members of a group speak different first languages, they'll all be forced to speak English in order to work together.

This is particularly useful if you have students that just won't speak in English because they always have the chance to speak their first language. A mixed L1 group also gives your students the chance to experience different accents in English and as a result improve their listening skills. Culture can also come into play in these groups. By talking with people from different areas of the world, your students can develop a better appreciation for each other and their home cultures. It's a great way to learn about people around the globe along with their traditions.

Why ESL Games Are an Essential Part of the Classroom

ESL games are as versatile as they are fun! They're also a super important part of your lesson plans. Here's why:

They're invaluable for building on your presentation (the first part of your PPP lesson plan).

They'll help your students cultivate essential skills, both directly and organically.

They'll often get your students up and moving, which helps get the brain working.

They'll help your students internalize grammar and vocabulary through usage.

They'll aid the development of students' English listening, reading, speaking, writing and thinking skills.

They'll improve your students' communication, collaboration skills and confidence.

They're usually active-great for both classes that need somewhere to direct their energy and classes that need to kick it up a notch.

They can be used at any time during class: as a beginning warm-up, as an end-of-class time-filler or in the middle as the bulk of your lesson.

Games can be implemented alongside any other teaching tools as well.

They're useful during difficult or frustrating lessons to supplement traditional book learning time. They can also be used in conjunction with videos to keep your classes engaged from start to finish.

For level-appropriate videos with helpful tools, the FluentU language learning program uses authentic clips made by native speakers to teach your students English.

The clips are organized by content and level, so you can ensure they're the right amount of challenging for your class. The videos also have interactive subtitles, so students can hover over a word to see its definition or click on it for more information, including example sentences and contextual notes.

As the teacher, you can assign FluentU videos for homework, track student progress and create vocabulary lists for students to review with the digital flashcard feature. Then in class, you can practice the vocabulary together using one of the games listed above.

Working some fun ESL classroom games into your lesson plans every week creates an atmosphere of enthusiastic learning. Your students will have a blast while working on their English skills!

From artistic creativity to comedic scenarios, your students can experience English in a whole new way through these games. Even grammar can be exciting with games!

So, get started with these fun ESL games and bring learning to life!

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere.Click here to get a copy. (Download)

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39 Fun ESL Games and Activities for an Exciting English Classroom | FluentU English Educator Blog

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Use some fun ESL group activities to liven up your lessons! Choose from our list of 39 games, from classics like Hangman and Telephone, or new ones like Fly Swat and Secrets. Either way, your students will love these ESL activities for the classroom and learn important English skills at the same time.

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I will include this link to my teacher toolkit because it gives me a list of many different formative assessments I can incorporate to my future classroom.

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This article becomes very important when considering different formative assessments for EBs/ELs because it informs us of many different formative assessments that will support EBs/ELs and how it becomes very effective in their English language learning outcomes.

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By Sarah Ottow
The Latin root word for "assessment" is assidere which means to sit beside. In my work as an English Language Learner (ELL) specialist, I advocate for educators to intentionally sit beside their students to more deeply understand and support their learning trajectory at the classroom level. That is to say, I strongly advocate for an intentional formative assessment approach for ELLs.
Schools can go beyond traditional summative and interim measures to ensure a more balanced assessment approach that brings to light the nuanced and complex process of academic language development. By implementing formative assessments for ELLs, educators can develop a "language lens" that uncovers and showcases the growth of this culturally and linguistically diverse population.

Where do we start?

First, we can examine what comprises our current assessment systems in place. We have large-scale, "big data" summative assessments that give us "big data" once a year on student proficiency. We also have interim assessments that measure growth against benchmarks periodically throughout the year, often with the audience largely being district and school-level stakeholders.
These summative and interim assessments provide "snapshots" of ELL performance and are not always reliable or valid on the ELL population. Therefore, we need to ask ourselves if we have systemic, systematic formative measures in place that provide feedback on teaching and learning specifically for our ELLs? Do we have a "photo album" approach of ELL development? If not, we can add specific formative practices into our assessment system that celebrate student growth and provide next steps for instruction at the classroom level.

What are some effective formative assessment practices for ELLs?

What's important to remember is that formative assessment is flexible and intended to focus on feedback for both the teacher and the student. As an initial step, I highly recommend that teachers keep portfolios of student writing samples to show individual student growth over time. Through portfolios like journals and learning logs, student work can be the centerpiece in conferences and school data meetings.
Next, I suggest that teachers work with students to co-create appropriate goals for using more sophisticated academic language. It's critical to promote student ownership of the assessment process through goal setting, self-assessment as well as peer assessment opportunities.

How can collaboration strengthen formative assessment?

A critical step in strengthening ELL formative assessments is to create and sustain collaborative time to analyze student work. Evidence-based conversations between educators about what students are producing can directly lead to ideas for effective student feedback and instruction. Professional learning communities are also opportunities for collaboration with ELL specialists to deepen content teachers' understanding of language and literacy. One final tip is to consider building data walls of multiple measures of ELL data quarterly to facilitate data-driven coaching cycles and team planning. In these ways, we can offer a "photo album" approach to show progress over time, celebrating students' journey of academic language development.

We know that ELLs are a diverse group of students with unique assets and varying factors affecting academic performance. Many educators need support in reaching ELLs and teaching academic language yet they often don't know where to start. By implementing more formative assessments for ELLs with the appropriate language supports, teachers can better understand their students and become stronger teachers of academic language. After all, all teachers are indeed language teachers!

Formative Assessment Ideas

Journals or learning logs to show growth over time in a portfolio

Academic conversations to explain new learning

Cornell notes or graphic organizers to structure note-taking

Student-teacher conference or small group discussions to recount learning

Exit slips to show "I think..", "I wonder...", "I still want to know..."

Fill-in-the-blank or "cloze" activity using sentence frames

Reciprocal teaching

Recording student language through technology

Drawing or role playing

Gallery walk of student work where students give each other feedback on stickies

Word or concept sorts based on unit themes or student-created categories

One word or one phrase response using whiteboards

Self-checklist or peer-checklist

Label or sequence visuals like pictures, photos or realia (real life objects)

Student-generated questions for peers

This blog is part of the Supporting English Language Learners Series with support from The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. For more, stay tuned for the culminating podcast, infographic and publication.
For more, see:
Sarah Ottow is the founder, director and lead coach at Confianza: Educating for ELL Equity. Follow Confianza on Twitter: @ELL_Confianza Stay in-the-know with all things EdTech and innovations in learning by signing up to receive the weekly Smart Update. This post includes mentions of a Getting Smart partner. For a full list of partners, affiliate organizations and all other disclosures please see our Partner page.

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Supporting English Language Learners with Formative Assessments

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By Sarah Ottow - By implementing formative assessments for ELLs, educators can develop a "language lens" that uncovers and showcases their growth.

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I have included the sign up sheet because it's a helpful link to look back at and see a list of different learning strategies/methods I can incorporate into my lesson plan when teaching EBs/ELs.

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I have included this link because I can use it to generate my own mix and match vocabulary activity once I become a teacher; and this activity can help students learn new vocabulary words.

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Matching Quiz and Matching Worksheet Maker

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Matching Quiz and Matching Worksheet Maker. Now with AI! Free with NO Registration required. Use our premade lists or use your own words to create unique and quick matching quizzes and matching worksheets.

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I will include this to my teacher toolkit because there is a helpful table that gives possible indicators of whether a student has a learning disability or if its due to differences 2nd language acquistion.

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This article lists signs that a student may have a learning disability. As a future teacher we must be very observative to ensure that all our students are receiving appropriate instruction in the classroom.

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Many children have trouble reading, writing, or performing other learning-related tasks at some point. This does not mean they have learning disabilities. A child with a learning disability often has several related signs, and they don't go away or get better over time. The signs of learning disabilities vary from person to person.

Please note that the generally common signs included here are for informational purposes only; the information is not intended to screen for learning disabilities in general or for a specific type of learning disability.

Common signs that a person may have learning disabilities include the following:

Problems reading and/or writing

Problems with math

Poor memory

Problems paying attention

Trouble following directions

Clumsiness

Trouble telling time

Problems staying organized

A child with a learning disability also may have one or more of the following:

Acting without really thinking about possible outcomes (impulsiveness)

"Acting out" in school or social situations

Difficulty staying focused; being easily distracted

Difficulty saying a word correctly out loud or expressing thoughts

Problems with school performance from week to week or day to day

Speaking like a younger child; using short, simple phrases; or leaving out words in sentences

Having a hard time listening

Problems dealing with changes in schedule or situations

Problems understanding words or concepts

These signs alone are not enough to determine that a person has a learning disability. Only a professional can diagnose a learning disability.

Each learning disability has its own signs. A person with a particular disability may not have all of the signs of that disability.

Children being taught in a second language may show signs of learning problems or a learning disability. The learning disability assessment must take into account whether a student is bilingual or a second language learner. In addition, for English-speaking children, the assessment should be sensitive to differences that may be due to dialect, a form of a language that is specific to a region or group.

Below are some common learning disabilities and the signs associated with them:

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What are some signs of learning disabilities?

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Many children have trouble reading, writing, or performing other learning-related tasks at some point. This does not mean they have learning disabilities. A child with a learning disability often has several related signs, and they don't go away or get better over time. The signs of learning disabilities vary from person to person.

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I will include this to my teacher toolkit because it gives me strategies for teaching gifted students.

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This is another article that informs future teachers on strategies for how to teach gifted and talented English learners.

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MultiBrief: Strategies for teaching gifted and talented English learners

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Who are our gifted and talented students? What makes a student gifted? How are gifted and talented students identified? These questions are important in education as we attempt to best meet the needs of each of our students. When it comes to meeting the needs of English learners, these questions can seem more complicated.