Activity and involvement are the keys to effective learning in the English as a second language (ESL) classroom. The fragile self-concepts of many adults, however, make them hesitate to plunge into the practice of their newly developed language skills. The answer may lie in simple games and role-playing activities that are useful in establishing…

Based on the notion that a "play-way" approach to vocabulary development is superior to rigid, formal lessons, this article presents a vocabulary extension exercise that takes the form of a word game with an element of competition. The method, procedure, and content are clearly outlined, followed by an example of a completed game on the…

Recognizing that rote drill and practice (rehearsal) has been replaced with game-like teaching formats as a tool for memorization, a study compared the effectiveness of the two methods to teach eight preschoolers to recite their home telephone numbers. In six sessions, children either rehearsed their phone numbers or used small props and rhyming…

This manual provides descriptions of five cooperative learning methods: (1) Student Teams-Achievement Divisions (STAD); (2) Teams-Games-Tournaments (TGT); (3) Jigsaw; (4) Team Accelerated Instruction (TAI); and (5) Cooperative Integrated Reading and Composition (CIRC). For each of these methods, an overview offers a description of the procedures…

This unit consists of a four-part game designed to provide students with a basic understanding of four possible interactions between animal populations. Management of the white-tailed deer, one of the most abundant large wild animals in Missouri, is the central focus of the game. Included with the unit are: (1) unit objectives; (2) pre-game…

Directions for a game which models the feudal system of 11th century Europe are presented for high school and college history courses. The game demonstrates the medieval dependency of social structure on land holdings and vassal obligations. It also permits the expression of personal ambition, with results dependent on the loyalty and…

Three 5-year-old Japanese children with no meaningful words were the subjects of an intervention program. The subjects and therapists played the "shopping game" (in the first term) and the "riding car game" (in the second term) with rules within the subjects' cognitive ability and in a setting designed to facilitate…

On the basis of implications drawn from Piagetian theory, an approach to first-grade arithmetic which eliminated instruction and used only two kinds of activities (situations in daily living and group games) was implemented in an experimental context. Situations in daily living and group games, in contrast to "mechanical" worksheet…

This report describes ELI, a computer-based educational game that gives participants, as citizens of fictitious cities, the opportunity to examine a variety of typical community issues relating to education within the context of broader city and regional problems. After a brief introduction, the game structure is described, including the setting…

A classroom game, based on football, is described. Procedures, rules, and scoring are all explained and a sample game series is given. The game centers around teams of students being able to answer mathematical problems that the teacher can make up from any area. (LS)

Describes ways in which language students can use their acquired skills in a variety of contexts beyond those provided by any textbook. (PM)

In this study, two experiments indicate that modification of the method of scoring in the EQUATIONS game enhances achievement in learning specific mathematical ideas. The experimental scoring method (4+ scoring) which allows learners to obtain bonus points for constructing more complex solutions was introduced into year-long instructional gaming…

Resulting from a special study institute sponsored by the Bureau of Education for the Handicapped, the workshop coordinator's kit, (first in a series of service teacher training materials) focuses on providing a vehicle for interaction and cooperation in the design of an instructional game. Outlines are activity objectives (such as helping…

Resulting from a special study institute sponsored by the Bureau of Education for the Handicapped, the workshop coordinator's kit (sixth in a series of inservice teacher training materials) focuses on experiences that allow the participants to design and try different types of games. Outlined are objectives, equipment needed, procedures, and…