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Dictionary Definitions
Subject: Literacy
(This idea was contributed by Fi)
Age Range: 7 to 11

This dictionary game is popular with Years 5-7.

Children pair up (you can choose to put less able pupils with more able), then choose a word from their dictionary that they think other students won't know. They then write the correct dictionary definition and create 2 more plausible definitions. I encourage them to check the part of speech so that they're not giving definitions for verbs or adjectives when their word is a noun.

Less confident kids can use an alternative word's definition from their dictionary. Student pairs then take turns in coming out and writing their word, along with the three definitions on the white board. The rest of the class votes for the definition that they think is the real one.

Pupils really love this game and I sometimes use it as an incentive to get other work finished.


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