Telestrations is a board game that is a combination of Pictionary and Chinese whispers. The video of the official instructions is available here, but below is an ‘educational’ modification to help develop students’ understanding of key vocabulary words.
Setup
Make up pads containing 6 sheets of paper or alternatively create the pads using laminated paper (so they can be reused) and bind them together with a curtain ring. You need one pad for each student.
Write all the vocabulary words on a whiteboard that everyone can see. You probably don’t want to be working on more than 10-20 words at any one time.
You also need to have the vocabulary words written on cards (one word on each card).
Step 1 (Page 1)
Give each student a pad and have them write their name on the front page.
Step 2 (Page 2)
Have students randomly select a card and secretly write the chosen word on the 2nd page of their booklet and then turn the page over.
Once a card has been selected, remove it from the pack. Once all cards have been used, put all the cards back in the pack and continue going around the room until all students have a word.
Step 3 (Page 3)
Once every student has a card and has written their vocabulary word, give the class about 1 minute to do one of the following on the 3rd page (just choose one idea for each time you play the game).
- Illustrate the word.
- Write an antonym for the word.
- Write a synonym for the word.
- Write a sentence using the word but replace the actual word with ‘telestration’.
After 1 minute, students pass the booklet to the student on their right with the 3rd page showing.
Step 4 (Page 4)
Students are given 10 seconds to guess the original word based on the illustration (or synonym, antonym or sentence). This word is written on the 4th page in the booklet. This should be done silently and obviously students are not allowed to turn to the page with the word written on it.
The booklets are then passed to the next student on the right with the word written on the 4th page showing.
Step 5 (Page 5)
Students are given 1 minute to illustrate the word (or write a synonym, antonym or sentence) on the 5th page.
The booklets are passed one more time to the right with page 5 open.
Step 6 (Page 6)
Students are given 10 seconds to guess the word based on the illustration (or synonym, antonym or sentence) which they then write on the 6th page.
The booklet is returned to the original owner. In groups of 4-6, each person reveals the illustrations (or antonyms, synonyms or sentences) and the words guessed.
Notes:
- It is important that the words to be used are clearly written on a whiteboard that everyone can see, so the activity doesn’t become a random guessing game.
- This activity is really only useful as a review or a revision, not an initial teaching activity.