It’s completely okay to use no-prep games on the fly or to incorporate games the kids really love but may not seem like anything special! Recently, we did a “hangman” game to practice The Holy Ghost and it was so much fun!
The Holy Ghost – Hangman Blanks
How to Play Hangman Blanks:
- Write out an underline for each missing letter. Skip all the extras, you don’t actually need to make a man and a noose, I simply drew the hangman blanks and asked for letters after each time through the verse.
- Tell the children you are going to be looking for those participating to help you figure out the word.
- Sing through the song together, then ask for a single letter. I kept calling on children until we actually had a letter to add, and simply wrote letters that weren’t in the puzzle off to the side.
- After each added letter, sing through the song again! This helps them to “solve” the puzzle and gets lots of built-in repetition.
- You can wrap up this activity whenever you’re out of time by letting the kids help you solve the puzzle, or drag it out until you have all of the letters!
I had just about every hand up in the room waving wildly wanting me to pick them just to call out a letter! It’s amazing what motivates the kids. This activity went over really, really well in both Junior and Senior Primary!
Setting Up Hangman Blanks for The Holy Ghost:
Junior Primary – I made very clear and separate words. Don’t be discouraged that the 3’s and 4’s can’t read, your little bit older kiddos in Junior Primary are very eager to read and help out! Plus, even your Sunbeams will be able to tell you a letter most of the time (or get help from their teacher).
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Senior Primary – Don’t give them any spaces! This will add an extra layer of challenge so they don’t guess the answer right away. It’s really fun to see them trying to sound out the word when letters start coming out wrong, like _ h _ h _ l y g h _ _ _!
They were so confused how those letters could all be together — it was priceless because it only lasted another verse. Then they were all exaggeratedly asking why I didn’t add in any spaces!! Just put it up on the board all close together with no extra spaces, like this:
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
When they’ve solved the puzzle, just add a big forward slash to break up the words, like this:
_ _ _ / _ _ _ _ / _ _ _ _ _
You can use this for any song title, phrase, or even smush up there on the board all of the lyrics, if you’re that brave!! (That’s too much silent spelling for me, haha).
What song will you use Hangman Blanks for?
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