JENGA! What a great game to play in the classroom. Classroom Jenga is so versatile it can be used to review vocabulary or to have conversations. Board games are so fun to play, students don’t even know they are learning. Games are also a good way for you to monitor what students know, struggle with, or do well at. They provide a low-key way to make corrections. Basically, it is a stress-free way to practice a language. Jenga also makes a great station activity or test prep.
Here we go. My three favorite ways to play Classroom Jenga.
Conversation Jenga
Conversation Jenga is an excellent way to get students talking. Games provide students a relaxing environment. Conversation Jenga offers students a chance to be comfortable using the target language in the classroom while having fun. To play conversation Jenga, simply write questions on the blocks as a way for students to practice question and answer type communication. Stack the blocks like you would in a normal Jenga game. One student will pull the block out, pose the question to a partner or small group, and the partner/group will answer. Easy peasy. I keep several sets of Jenga around my classroom with questions appropriate for every language level. The set up for this version is a little bit time-consuming, however, once the blocks are complete, they can be used forever.
Vocabulary Jenga
This version of Jenga is easier than Conversation Jenga because it involves less prep time. The only prep that needs to be done is a number needs to be written on each side of the block. Number the blocks starting with 1 and end with whatever number matches the number of blocks you have. To quickly get this done, have a student or a TA do this for you. Make sure numbers are on either side of the blocks.
I use all the blocks and number 1 – 54. I remove what blocks I don’t need before the game starts. Give students a list of vocabulary words they are working on. Have them start anywhere on the paper and number 1, then continue to number all the words thereafter staying in order. You can see this in the example below. Note that no student is starting number 1 in the same spot.
Silly Sentence Jenga
Write random words on the blocks that can be used to create a sentence. Color code the writing to easily sort – orange for nouns, blue for adjectives, green for verbs, etc. Write the words on the long flat side. It will be easier for students to locate. If you have the time, write on both flat sides. Lay the color-coded blocks out by color. Allow students to create a sentence and sign it. I like this specific activity as a station practice. You can also do this on paper still using the color coded system.
If there is a specific structure you are working on you can focus on just that. If not, allow students to create sentences freely.
Use Multiple Sets of Jenga
It is really great if you can have multiple sets of the Jenga blocks in your classroom. I use different sets for Conversation Jenga but you can use those same sets for Vocabulary Jenga. Simply number the sides of all the blocks. Label the outside of the canisters so you can keep them organized for future use. For example, if you are using Conversation Jenga for unit 12, label the can “UNIT 12” so you can easily locate it in the future.
Multiple Canisters
I know it can get very pricey to purchase so many cans of Jenga. Send a link out in an email to parents and ask for any donations new or used. Send the actual Jenga game and a generic version of the game links and let parents decide which they want to donate. I don’t really care if it is a name brand. I store the games in a cabinet I have in my classroom. If you don’t have a cabinet, place in a tote and place under a table in the classroom.
Pro tip: Mix equal parts white glue and water and paint the blocks and allow to dry. Modge Podgeworks great too. This will help your marker to not run like mine did in the photo above.
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