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Josh Simmons

EdTech 597 Spring 2013

May 12, 2013

Edutainment Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan

Goal of the Lesson: Students will work in teams to enhance vocabulary through

team play of the popular game Words With Friends. Learners must define and use

each word played in a sentence.

Rationale: Vocabulary courses end after the middle school grades and student

vocabulary often becomes stagnant. By using one 50-minute class period to play a

team version of Words With Friends, students will learn basic game play and

understand the expectations for the remainder of the semester as they participate in

personal game play outside of class. By the end of the semester, students will have

an increased vocabulary and ability to properly use each word. The enhanced

vocabulary will be demonstrated on the final research paper.

Edutainment Used: This lesson plan will use one main form of edutainment the

Words With Friends app on classroom iPads. Each Student is given a school iPad

and will be expected to use the iPad to play Words With Friends.

Instructional Objectives

I. Given an iPad with internet access, learners will download and install theWords With Friends app from the Apple App Store

II. Learners will identify sections of the Words With Friends game board andthe rules associated with each Double Point and Triple Point square.

III. Learners will work in teams to play a round of Words With Friends withothers in the classroom.

IV. Learners will demonstrate an understanding of each word played by definingand using each word in a sentence.

V. Learners will identify key components of game play and discuss how eachteam can earn the most points by playing higher words.

VI. Learners will be prepared to play Words With Friends on a personal level forthe remainder of the semester as part of an ongoing homework assignment.

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Instructor Guide

I. Gain Attention (10 Minutes)The opening activity is designed similar to the game Balderdash. The

instructor will give the class a word (the words should be very

unfamiliar to the students) and 5 definitions to the word. Studentswill vote for the definition they believe is correct via the

www.polleverywhere.com. The instructor will then read the results

and also the real definition and see which students correctly guessed

the definition. This should be repeated 3-5 times each time

reinforcing the idea that our vocabulary is lacking.

II. Establish Purpose (5-10 minutes)a. The instructor should identify the learning goal to enhance

vocabulary through playing Words With Friends.b. Explain the specifics of Words With Friends. Make sure students

understand the design of the game, bonus points and options.

Demonstrate a single move in the game.

c. Explain the team play version of the game and how it will be played inclass versus how it will be played on a personal level for homework.

III. Direct Attention and Begin Game (25-30 Minutes)a. Divide the classroom into 4-6 teams of 4 or 5 students each. Give each

team another team to play against.

b. Teams should decide the best word that can be played using theletters given in conjunction with previous plays.

c. Teams should work to gain the most points possible on each play.d. The team that has the most points after 10 or 15 minutes (depending

on the number of teams) will move to play another team. The final 2

teams will play games on the screen so the entire class can view each

move.

IV. Provide Feedback and Conclusion (5 Minutes)a. Congratulate the winning team and give out a prize to each student onthe winning team.b. Explain the ongoing homework assignment to partner with

classmates in game play each week and to build vocabulary that

should be exhibited on the final research paper.

c. Allow students time to sign up for partnerships for week one ofgameplay.