On the board I wrote:
1. Noun - thing
2. Noun - place
3. Noun - person
4. Adjective -
5. Verb -
6. Animal -
7. Food -
8. Song -
9. Colour -
10. Feeling -
I then had the students write 1-10 down their page and then explained that I would write the topic at the top. Then they would have some time to think of a word for each number that was about the theme. I explained the scoring would be 1pt for a correct answer and 1pt if no one else had the same answer as you.
I then explained what each of the numbers meant and gave examples using a different topic. Then I wrote 'Christmas' at the top of the board and they started writing their answers.
It actually became quite competitive with some students trying to think abstractly about the topic. I had a few whispers to me where they described something they did not know the name of and I told them the answer and they wrote it down.
We then ended the game and scored our answers.
As we went through the answers we discussed what each word meant and how it related to Christmas.
We then used these words to write 'Facts and Opinions' about Christmas.
Next week we will use those facts and opinions to write about how 'Christmas is the best holiday'.