Vocabulary Hot Potato
Vocabulary hot potato is a fun game that can be played at any point in the class period. It works great as a warm-up, a five-minute activity, a brain break or even a quick and easy way to get repetition in for vocabulary practice. It is also a great way to prepare for final exams. But the best part of this game is that there is little to no prep time. Furthermore, students love it.
No teacher ever wants the class doing nothing. It is important to have an arsenal of fun and easy activities that don’t take a ton of prep time. Vocabulary hot potato can be part of that arsenal.
Let’s Get to It – 2 Versions
Version 1 works by circling students up so they can see the entire class. Use this musical hot potato to pass around the circle. When the music stops, that student must complete a task of your choice. This can be listing 3 – 5 vocabulary words, creating a 2 – 3 sentence story or telling something about themselves. If you don’t have the musical hot potato, any object will work. You can use a YouTube video or any music and pause it yourself. A plain old timer will work here too.
Version 2 of vocabulary hot potato is to use a handshape of the alphabet. Place students in groups of 4 – 5 people. Choose a handshape and let students know what it is. Once you announce the handshape, set the timer for 1 minute. Student groups have to go around the circle using signs created using that handshape. When the timer goes off, the student who was up to say the next word is “out.” The out student will remain in the circle but not play until there is a winner (the last person left in the game). The game finishes quickly, so it can be played multiple times during the class period.
Variations
To focus more on the vocabulary from a specific unit, create a handshape cube for each group. This will allow for less teacher direction and more independent play.
Give each group a deck of cards. Print them out from the Internet to make several copies and save some money.
Use an alphabet die to change up the way the handshape is chosen.
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Koplow Games KOP12985 Alphabet Dice Learning Aid
