Customer Reviews

English Teacher's Book of Instant Word Games

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I highly recommend this book for teachers searching for the perfect way to fill those perilous few minutes after a test or before the bell on Friday. These activities allow students to think creatively and critically, and to draw upon other students' thoughts and suggestions. Because these activities are designed as games, my students absolutely love them. I offer them as extra credit; unlike a typical word search, these games have intellectual value. They focus on spelling, brainstorming, and creative writing skills, among others, but don't tell the students! They'd never believe that intense thinking and fun could co-exist!

My students enjoy these activities. There are plenty of suggestions that are appropriate for my junior high classes, and many could be adapted for other grade levels. Keep this near your "Substitute Teacher" folder--it's a lifesaver!

I first came across this book in the library at the high school where I used to teach. I loved it so much I had to buy my own copy when becoming a homeschooler! Ruth Rice is intriguing, challenging (without a boring brain-drain), and enjoys a clever word-play wrapped in a smile. Such a combination of humor, insight into the language, and absorbing challenge is too good to pass up. I think you'll love Ruth Rice as much as I do! All activities are one page each, so this is easy to insert at the beginning of, end of, or any gap in a lesson. P.S. This is a better price than my school could get me, by about a $15 margin!

This is a collection of worksheets, some of which are extremely difficult. None of them are fun! Don't waste your time or money. These "games" would be quite challenging for high schoolers but down-right deadly for middle schoolers! I agree that they would fill those "perilous minutes" after a test or activity, but why would you want to fill those minutes with dreck and frustration? Most of these worksheets would require an entire lesson to go along with them. With many, the directions were not particularly clear. I only figured out what I was supposed to do when I peeked at the answers!

While yes, the book isn't full of word "games", it is not your run of the mill grammar workbook. The grammar worksheets use witty humor and jokes to keep the students attention, and are much more entertaining than the typical grammar worksheets that come with the textbook. I often made transparancies of the pages to work along with the students.

An interesting and helpful resource...you don't have to scan the internet to find a variety of exercises and activities since there is a good assortment in this book.

I taught 7th & 8th grade pre-AP English and bought this book, thinking it would be a good resource for hoildays and those odd days during the year when the schedule is different (pep rally, assembly, etc.). I was very disappointed when I received the book for three reasons:
1. It's dated. The worksheets are not appealing in the least.
2. The so-called "games" are very difficult, even for advanced junior high students.
3. There are no games in this book. It is just a book of worksheets that might be considered more fun if they were not so hard.

On a positive note, this is a very large book. There are plenty of worksheets, just none I could use. If they continue to publish this book, I would recommend they change the recommended grade level to upper high school and update the format.

If you teach junior high students, I'd recommend "Surviving Last Period on Fridays and Other Desperate Situations." It's a great resource with reproducible activities and actual games that are appropriate for JH kids.

I received this book today and, after deciding there wasn't a SINGLE "game" that I would use, I sent it back. This book is nothing more than a dated collection of worksheets. There is nothing interesting or exciting about it, from the design to the content. My students deserve better. Your students do, too.

I bought this book last year and have found only a handful of things that I can use. I teach freshman english and it is not for my students age group. Definately NOT worth your money.