How Many Words?

LANGUAGE FOCUS: Revision of vocabulary; spelling skills
THINKING SKILLS: Analysing; moving letters around in one’s visual short-term memory; risk taking
AGE: Any
LEVEL: Post-beginner / A1 upwards
TIME: 10-15 minutes
PREPARATION
Write words in block letters on big sheets of paper; examples:

There should be enough space between the letters so students can easily cut out the individual letters of the word. Bring in one pair of scissors per group of 4-5 students.

IN CLASS

1. In block letters, write the word ELEPHANT on the board. Ask students to use any number of letters from the word in any order, and try to make as many new words as possible. Give them some help if necessary. Examples:
   
   HEN – NET – HAT – TEN – EAT – LET – ANT – PEN
2. Put students in groups of four or five. Give each group one of your words.
3. Tell the students to cut up their word. The students should try and make as many new words as possible out of any number of the letters from their word, used in any order.
4. Tell the students to cut up their word. The students should try and make as many new words as possible out of any number of the letters from their word, used in any order.

VARIATION

The task is more difficult if the students don’t cut the letters up but have to visualise the words contained in the big word.