Using Games with Picture Books
Teachers spend hours creating lessons that will engage students. Ultimately, stronger engagement leads to a stronger understanding of the material. However, it can be hard to develop lessons that all students will enjoy. Between different interests and hobbies, there can be a huge variety to incorporate into lessons. Thankfully, one of the most creative ways to engage all students involves using classroom games with picture books. By doing this, the books can involve a variety of topics while students have fun!
Classroom Games for Picture Books
There are so many incredible books for teachers to pick from! Luckily, there are even classroom games that can be played after enjoying a fantastic picture book. With the options below, students will absorb the power of reading while playing fun games.
Matching Game Based Example
Book: Mango, Abuela, and Me
This is the perfect book to teach basic words in Spanish and English!
Mia loves to help Abuela learn English while cooking. Additionally, Abuela loves to teach Mia Spanish as well. Sadly, it is hard for Abuela to learn enough words in English to tell Mia her favorite stories. However, Mia does not let this obstacle stand in her way. Instead, she finds a creative solution: a parrot! This heartfelt story shows the importance of thinking creatively to overcome all obstacles.
After reading this story, students will have a blast playing a game with Spanish words. Teachers may use words in the book to create a matching game for Spanish to English words.
Game: Match a Pair of Birds: A Memory Game
Picture books often tell an important story through beautiful illustrations. Thankfully, this fun and educational book will inspire students to learn all about words. To begin, students will work on matching the male and female pairs of 25 species from around the world. Ultimately, students will examine all kinds of bird species.
Artistic Example
Book: The Dot
Often, students can get frustrated over something and let it ruin their entire day. Luckily, this picture book helps students learn to work past this with a fun game.
Vashti becomes frustrated because she cannot draw. After drawing an angry mark on a blank sheet of paper, Vashti realizes something so small can actually be magnificent.
Honestly, this book is perfect for incorporating creative games. Whether playing charades or guessing pictures, students will love expressing themselves.
Book: Beautiful Oops
Everyone makes mistakes! However, students have to learn that mistakes are adventures in creativity. Whether spilling a drink or tearing a paper, it is essential to understand everything will work out. Therefore, this book is just like the one above. It contains unexpected ways to encourage students to be themselves.
Game: Ready, Set, Draw!: A Game of Creativity and Imagination
This card game is an incredible way to bring out everyone’s creativity! One deck will tell what to draw while another deck will tell how to draw it. Then, students will use the spinner to randomize the options. Honestly, the combinations are so funny!
Poetry Example
Book: Undefeated
This book is actually a love letter to black life in the United States. Students will read about everything from the trauma of slavery to the perseverance of individuals. Specifically, students will learn about Martin Luther King Jr. and Gwendolyn Brooks among many others. Thus, they will learn about endurance and thriving no matter the situation.
Game: Paint Chip Poetry
Many times, poetry is challenging for students. However, that will no longer be the case with this incredible game. Students will draw handfuls of paint chips and one prompt card. Then, they will rearrange the chips to create a poem out of the paint names. Truly, students will love listening to all of the combinations.
Dance Example
Book: Firebird by Misty Copeland
Sadly, young children often question themselves. Children have so much to handle from not feeling good enough to overcoming fears. Thankfully, this book teaches children to be confident with who they are. Ultimately, children will learn that hard work and dedication can help them reach all goals.
Game: 101 Dance Games for Children
Similarly, this book contains games that combine dance and play to release spontaneity. Additionally, students will learn about self-expression through fun movements. All of the games are non-competitive, so students just focus on using their imaginations.
Spelling-Based Example
Book: The Word Collector
Many times, children love to collect different items. There is something for everyone who wants to collect something from scrunchies to artwork. However, Jerome doesn’t want to collect an item. He wants to collect words. Honestly, he loves to discover how great and magical words are. For instance, there are long words, short words, and even ones that rhyme. Jerome will teach students how impactful words are.
Game: Scrabble or Scrabble Jr.: After reading this incredible picture book, allow students to play Scrabble or Scrabble Jr. Thankfully, classroom engagement will be at an all-time high while students practice spelling!
Picture books are the perfect way to incorporate various activities into lessons. Ultimately, pairing them with classroom games helps make learning memorable! Thankfully, the combinations above will help ensure there is something for every student.
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