Presents a number of word games, jokes, puns, etc., stating grounds for using them in language teaching. Discusses their roots in the English-speaking world, and their motivating effect as they brighten up the teaching routine. (IFS/WGA)

Describes a week-long library skills unit for disadvantaged high school students, noting that much of the success of the program rests in the use of a library usage game--in which students are pitted against the staff--at the end of the unit. Describes the game in detail. (GT)

Discusses the use of humor in the language classroom, and provides some sample activities in Italian. (AM)

Discusses some mathematical games concerning the packing of squares. (HM)

Describes the "Almanach Vermot," a type of encyclopedia on French language and culture, and indicates ways in which this publication may be of use in the French classroom. (AM)

Discusses the computer as a communication medium to support learning. Illustrates the benefits of this reconceptualization in the context of having students author and play interactive simulation games and exchange them over the Internet. (RS)

Reviews a computer software program, "Power Japanese" ("PJ"), for learning Japanese as a second language. "PJ" incorporates colorful graphics, animation, sound drills, and games. (Six references) (Author/CK)

A fun logic game to introduce several classes of sixth-graders to advanced mathematical thinking allows even students who previously fared poorly in math to arrive at the destination with their peers. (Author/MLF)

Shows how the party game "whisper down the lane"---where a message is whispered to the next person in line and repeated until it reaches the last person--can serve to tell a story. Uses the game as an acting exercise to train players in listening carefully, speaking clearly, concentrating, staying in the moment, and focusing on…

Presents an activity that helps students explore how energy moves through an ecosystem. Students become plants and animals that thrive in a place near the school. In these roles they are allowed to experience the energy cycle. Materials for this activity are simple and easy to acquire. (DDR)

Explores how an elimination game played for fun turned into an extended exploration of mathematical problem solving and reasoning. (Author/NB)

Presents a puzzle using chemical element clues leading to animal names. (YDS)

Presents a 30-word wordsearch puzzle on nucleotide sequences used in proteins in terrestrial organisms. (YDS)

Describes the "Name Game" in which students find out hidden information by asking questions of other participating students. Can be used for a variety of topics and test reviews. (YDS)

Describes number strips, arrow diagrams, and grids for number operations. Provides diagrams for the activity materials. (YP)