DROP everything and read. . .or play with words (image from Dropwords, Kindle app)
I won't even attempt to recall how many times I uttered, muttered and moaned, "Use your words!" to my children when they were younger. Not one who really enjoyed those tantrum-ridden days, I just wanted everyone in the house to be completely verbal. Let's talk it out. Well, I certainly got my wish, as my children, my husband and I are (how to be polite about this. . .) extremely effusive and verbose. It's rare that there is silence, and frequently a traffic jam of ideas are being expressed. I feel now that I should be saying, "Use your words, but please take a number and wait in the queue."
Why all of this rambling about words? My friends, it is the weekend, and time to kick back and do that "be good to yourself" routine. I mean it. Read for an hour. Play with words.
There are certainly many ways to have fun with words, and you may already have a few diehard favorites. I recently purchased a Kindle Fire HD and, while I love a "real" book and my puzzle magazines, there are times when I am glued to my Kindle. This is actually a good thing, as I get to de-stress, engage in some critical thinking and come up with lesson ideas all at once -- a nice multi-tasking moment.
image by Mohsin Hijazee, Open Clip Art Library
Below are 3 ways to play with your Kindle this weekend:
1.) Download an e-book and read it.
I know that this is an OBVIOUS one, but how often do you allow yourself the luxury of a good, long browse through the online offerings, download something and enjoy it right away? After all, that is the beauty of an e-reader -- instant gratification, even if the local book store is closed for the night. I am a big fan of British literature of the late 19th and early 20th century, so many of my "meant to read that" titles are now free. It's a great way to unwind on a Friday night.
2. Play something in the ". . .with Friends" Trilogy.
I don't like downloading dozens of games to my device. They just clutter things up and occupy space that could be better used (by downloading more books, for example). However, I get quite lost in playing "Scramble with Friends", one of the 3 Zynga "with Friends" games (along with "Hanging" and "Words"). Each game is very similar to a game you already know: "Scramble" is like Boggle, "Hanging" is akin to Hangman and "Words" is basically Scrabble. I find that it really relaxes me to think about words in a fun way after a long day.
Scramble with Friends, by Zynga Games
3. Download a new word game and give it a try.
Amazon.com has a free Download of the Day for the Kindle, and I have found some really great apps that way. Also, searching on key words (such as the title of another word game that you already play) will help you to stumble upon some great games. I have just downloaded 2 games (both free) for the weekend: Jumbline 2 (free version, can upgrade to pay version with more features) and Dropwords. I like to keep my word play fresh and, by changing a few rules in the game, each "make a word" game causes you to think a little differently about word structure, meanings, parts of speech and other word properties (i.e. prefixes, suffixes).
It is hard for someone who teachers not to see classroom activity potential in word games. Whether practice spelling patterns, base words and affixes or building stronger vocabularies, there are many ways in which your weekend fun can turn into a rewarding and enjoyable lesson for you and your students.
