Draw It – Pictionary in vocabulary

Students draw pictures as clues to the vocabulary word for team members to correctly identify
the term. Draw It is similar to the popular game Pictionary where drawings represent ideas
or terms.
Steps:
1. Divide the class into teams with three or four students per team. Explain that each team’s
goal is to be the first in a round to correctly identify vocabulary terms.
2. Designate one student on each team as the artist. This student is the only one able to see the
list of words written on the board or overhead.
3. Identify the time limit for the first round of words.
4. Explain that the artist looks at the word to be illustrated and draws a rough sketch of what
the word represents. When the word is identified by the group, the artist continues to the
next word.
5. Explain that after identifying all of the terms, team members raise their hands indicating the
end of the first round.
6. Rotate the artist role around the team until all have participated as an artist.
7. Place students in pairs rather than small groups if time is limited.
Adaptations:
• Students view everyone’s drawings following the game to see the different artist renditions
of  the vocabulary terms.
• Pre-teach the students how to “quick draw” so time isn’t spent on detailed drawings.
• Cards with a list of words are given to each student to use when it is his/her turn to be the
artist