For smart end of the year planning, you'll need a handy bag of vocabulary games - especially for those last few days of school.

All students enjoy having fun as the end of the school year approaches. But just how will you do it? End of the year vocabulary lessons offer a much needed break in routine. Students of all levels can benefit from varied vocabulary practice.

Using a wide range of games is important, but the key is to vary vocabulary activities while reviewing a number of skills. As you read the fun, teacher-tested vocabulary game ideas from the list below, see which activities would reinforce previously taught skills while meeting the levels and interests of your students.

Creative and Fun Vocabulary Games

Alphabetizing - Students think of words starting with different letters of the alphabet.

Inventions - Students invent a new machine or an object with a given vocabulary list.

Picture dictation - The teacher describes a scene or an object and students draw what they hear.

Vocabulary Guessing Games

Students of all ages love vocabulary guessing games! You can have a point system for determining the winner or simply distribute individual prizes.

"I spy" - Students guess the words that begin with a certain letter.

Mimicry/rhyme/charades - Students guess words through mime, rhyme, etc.

Hangman - Teacher or student thinks of a word and writes dashes on the blackboard corresponding to the number of letters of the word. Students call out the letters and write correct guesses on the board. Add a "part" to the man for each incorrect guess. Students attempt to guess the word before the "man is hung."

What is it? Teacher puts a picture or object that is not in focus on the overhead projector or on the blackboard/whiteboard. Students have to guess what the picture is.

Vocabulary Games and Group Work

Group work is a fun way of practicing vocabulary games. Prior to beginning the activity, teachers should always explain the rules for that particular group game to prevent discipline issues during play.

Cooperative story telling - A group is given a list of words or objects and is asked to make up a story or a coherent passage which includes all the words / phrases/ pictures.

Priorities - the group is provided with a list of discrete items and at least one criteria. They have to order the items in relation to a valid set of criteria.

For example: food = meat, tomatoes, rice, chocolate, bread, water. Criteria: order by foods that are essential to life, foods that are sweet, or foods that are healthy.

Find the differences - In groups, students find the differences between near identical pictures. Note: this activity is most effective when played under a time limit.

With a little bit of extra planning, you'll find that end of the year vocabulary games can be a fun and enjoyable experience for students of all ages and levels as you slowly wind down the school year.