The Dictionary Game

GRADE LEVEL/SUBJECT: 4-12
The game is ideal for middle and high school students. It can be
used in any subject area (Social Studies and Science are the
best)

OVERVIEW: The Dictionary Game (also called Balderdash) is
an activity used to introduce new vocabulary words from
content areas. In order for the game to work, all students
playing the game must be unfamiliar with the
definition of the word being used.

PURPOSE: Learning new vocabulary words can be a tedious and
boring process, but it’s also a necessary activity. This
game is one way to take the “boring” out of the process.
When learning is fun, students remember what they have learned.

OBJECTIVE(s): Students will learn new vocabulary words that
are to be used in an upcoming unit. Students will also
practice writing in a style different from any others they
have tried (dictionary style).

RESOURCES/MATERIALS:
The words and their definitions
Dictionary
KleenSlate Dry Erase Paddles /with marker and eraser

ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES:
(how to play the game)
1. The teacher chooses a word that no student can define.
2. Each student (or group of students if teacher chooses
to play in teams) will write a made-up definition for
the word in question on their KleenSlate paddle and the teacher will write the
real definition on his or her Paddle Board.
3. All definitions are held up and read by
teacher. Then instruct each student to vote for the
definition that they believe is correct when the teacher reads them through the
second time.
4. Points are scored in two ways:
a. someone votes for your definition as the correct
one (one point per vote).
b. you vote for the correct definition.
5. The winner is the student with the most points.

TYING IT ALL TOGETHER: The game is the most fun when the
players get creative and humorous with their made-up
definitions. The teacher should model writing definitions so that
students can see how to do it.

©KleenSlate Concepts 2008