Headbandz is a family fun game that can be played in your classroom. It is a fast-paced game of guess what I am. Instead of purchasing this game, I like to use this same concept in my classroom focusing on unit-specific vocabulary the class is working on.
If you have never played the game Headbandz you’re missing out. It is a lot of fun and your students will agree. So I am going to show you how to implement a similar version in your classroom to review vocabulary (not teach it).
Materials Needed
- Teacher-created vocabulary cards – small enough to fit on the forehead or prop up onto something like a Solo cup
- Headbands for students or a Solo cup
- A timer
How To Play
- Place students in groups of 4 – 6. Students are in teams.
- Next, provide students with vocabulary cards (make these ahead of time). Words only. No definitions. Place them face down.
- A student picks a card (but does not look at the word) and places it on their head. (They can’t see it, but their group can).
- The team member(s) has 30 seconds to act out the word without signing it/saying it. (NO speaking, NO props).
- The person with the vocabulary card on their head must guess the vocabulary word within 30 seconds. If they get it correct, both players get a point.
- The object of the game – be the team with the most points at the end of the game.
Headbands
There are a few options for headbands.
- If you own the game, you can use the ones that come with it.
- You can use a ribbon tied around the student’s head and hold the card on with a paper clip.
- Or simply don’t put it on the forehead. Prop the word up in front of the student using a Solo cup so they are hands-free and can’t see the word but the other students can.
Benefits
This game is great for students to practice using facial expressions and body language. It helps them become more expressive and hopefully, that will carry over into their communication.
Alternative Play
- To practice question-asking skills, have the student ask questions about their card to guess what they have rather than the partners acting the word out.
- Play digitally by placing the words on a slide deck and having one student face the board and one student sit with their back to the board.
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