Punctuation Scoot Game

How do you keep students engaged, motivated and excited about learning? This is something that all teachers spend countless hours trying to figure out. We write lessons, create activities and develop strategies that will help us reach our students and help them to learn. I find that games are an important part of instruction. They are interactive, engaging tools for enhancing learning. All ages of students like games. So, why use games in the classroom?

Games Help Students Learn Content: Students play games to practice and develop a better understanding of skills, concepts and vocabulary. The games they play must be meaningful and have an educational purpose so we must choose them wisely.

Games Keep Students Engaged: In order for students to remember content, they must be focused and engaged. Worksheets and textbooks do not hold student's attention like a game does. So, the same content found in those resources will be better retained if read and practiced in a game format.

Games Incorporate a Multitude of Skills: In addition to the actual content you want students to learn from a game, they are using and practicing other skills as well. Students must use reading skills to read directions, cards and prompts in games. Math skills are necessary in counting, managing points and keeping track of scores. Critical thinking and social skills are very important as they spend time playing games with others. Games also help teach and reinforce teamwork and sportsmanship as well.

Because I feel that games play such an important part in the classroom, my TPT store is full of products that include games for students to play. Including this set of generic Game Boards.

This packet has 12 different Game boards with matching spinners and editable game cards. These boards can be played as a whole class if you project on your Elmo or Overhead Projector. You would lead the game by moving the game markers for the students. This is a great to practice or review skills. Divide your class into teams and have a coin or game marker that represents each team. You can use a worksheet, practice page from a book or task card. To play, read a question or problem out loud. All students answer on their own paper. Call on one group or student to give the answer. If they answer correctly, they get to roll the dice and you move their team's game marker. Continue play until one team reaches the end.

The game can also be used in small groups or stations by making a folder game. To make a folder game, print the game board on cardstock. Use any task cards you already have and a pair of dice. There you go. Instant game to keep students engaged.

The packet also has editable game cards. You can add your own questions, vocabulary, math problems, etc to the game cards, print them and put with the game. Add the spinner and you have a themed game that will be great fun for students.

To download your own generic Gameboards, click the picture below:

I also have a Freebie game you can download. Punctuation Pigs SCOOT is a game you play with the whole class. It is a fun whole group game that allows students to practice, review, or assess their knowledge of punctuation skills. My students have always loved SCOOT Games.

SCOOT games are very easy to play. Here is what you do:

•Place a SCOOT card on each desk.

•Students will start at their own desks.

•They read the question or prompt on the card and write their answer in the correct space on their recording sheet.

•At timed intervals have students SCOOT to the next desk and work that problem.

•Students will continue until they have completed all answers on their recording sheet.

In this product, there are 24 cards which include 12 task cards for End Punctuation: Periods, Question Marks and Exclamation Points. There are also 12 task cards for Commas, Apostrophes and Quotation Marks. To play the game, students read the sentence on the card and decide what punctuation is needed in that sentence. Then they write it on the recording sheet. An answer key is provided at the end of the packet.