Buzzers Promote Active Engagement

It's time for Student Motivation Saturday! Today I'm linking up with Joanne at Head Over Heels for Teaching. As my student teacher & I were planning and discussing ideas for an engaging vocabulary review game, I remembered I had bought answer buzzers over the summer!
The buzzers came in a set of 4, each with a different LOUD sound. The kids were immediately hooked! (It's like that buzzer in the game Taboo; slamming it is the best part of playing!)
Throughout our novel study of Sarah, Plain, and Tall by Patricia MachLachlan, both teacher-selected and student-selected words were placed on cards with pictures. Students can often be seen referencing the pictures with the words. 
Vocabulary cards were placed on the rug, with half the class sitting on either side. As my student teacher called out definitions, one student from each team buzzed in if they knew the word. And yes, just like Taboo, kids jumped the gun & slapped the buzzer, even if they did not know the answer! (I'm sure you can imagine. . .) 
If the student got the word correct, their team kept the card. The team with the most cards won. There was so much focus and students all wanted a turn, but knew they needed to help their team by knowing words and definitions. They were begging to play again! Buzzers were definitely motivating for student participation! Now I need to think of more ways to use them! 

What do you do to review vocabulary?

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6 comments

  1. I have three sets of these too! I also got two other sets for free from Highlights. My kids love them! Isn't if great how vocabulary becomes more fun with buzzers??!! Thanks for sharing a great idea!
    ~Joanne
    Head Over Heels For Teaching

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    1. How awesome you have so many buzzers!! Yes, the kids keep asking when we can practice again! Thanks for your Spark Motivation Saturdays!!

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  2. I've never tried them, but the buzzers look like lots of fun! I'll have to get some.

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    1. This was my first time using them and I'm so glad I bought them!

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  3. I know the Scholastic Bonus Catalog has buzzers. I wonder if they're the same ones! I'm going to use my points to get a few!

    I would probably use them for math, too. Maybe quiz them on different strategies, or even just addition and subtraction facts.

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    1. That's a good idea to use bonus points!! Reviewing math would definitely be another great use of the buzzers!

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