Transformation Tuesday: Engaging Vocabulary Strategies- Vocabulary Dominoes

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Today’s strategy is one that I mentioned during September’s Transformation Tuesday series about Engaging Assessment Strategies. (See the original post here.) While I originally described this strategy as an assessment tool, the critical thinking skills students display as they become successful with this task is amazing. Like the previous two strategies, this strategy requires students to make connections between words in order to connect them in the game space. See the illustration below for an example.

Frame by Catherine S from https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Borders-1983569

Here’s how it works:

1. Group students in groups of three. Assign students to be Student 1, 2, or 3. Note: This activity works best with at least 16 dominoes for a group of three.

2. Students spread out the face-down cards.

3. Each student takes 4 dominoes. Place the remaining cards in a face-down stack.

4. Student 1 turns over one of the remaining cards to use as the starter domino.

5. In turn, each student tries to connect one of the words on his/her domino to an end. If no connection is made, the student takes a card from the extra pile and tries to make a connection. If no connection can be made, the turn is lost.

6. The first student to place all of his/her dominoes is the winner.

Free Resource Alert: Download an editable copy of the “Vocabulary Dominoes” here.

To use: Insert the image into a word document. Just add a text box with each word you want to add and place it in the center of each half of the domino.

Sound Off! How do you review and reinforce vocabulary with your students?