“And now," cried Max, "let the wild rumpus start!”
Maurice Sendak, Where the Wild Things Are

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Draw That Family

If you and your little ones spend as much time around the table drawing as my family does, this may be a game for you.   Draw That Family is a Wild Thing School original.  Think of it like "draw something" for beginner readers.
 

What you need:
- a set of words that are the same except for the first letter
- pencil or crayons
- paper

How to play:

1.  Write the words you would like to use in a list.  I prefer to write in large print.

2.  Secretly select one word to draw.


3.  Start drawing!

4.  Your child tries to guess which of the words on the list you are drawing.  I have the princess try to guess the word before I finish drawing. You could also use a timer.

5.  When your child guesses what you drew, have him/her put a finger on the word.  This is just simple assurance that they are reading the words. You could leave this step out if you're sure they are reading the word.

6.  After the child correctly guesses the word you are drawing a picture of, let him/her cross out the appropriate word.  (we also had a little treat between words).

7.  Draw again!

8.  Soon all of those words will be crossed out and your child will be impressed to see how many words he/ she can read! 

After I draw, the princess likes to change the roles.  She draws and I guess.  She still has to read the words, and she gets to draw.  You can also take turns drawing each word.