Play Plan : Scrabble

General Information

Prerequisites: letter recognition.
Play arena: Standard
Number of players: 4

Game Overview and Basic Rules for Play

The objective of the game is to make the maximum number of words (maximum score). The game starts with the player all being drawn 7 letters (scrabbles) each. Players then take turns to form a word on the game board from their scrabbles. As words are placed on the board, points are collected (each letter with one point). The player with maximum score/points wins the game.

Play Session plans

Session 1

• Before the session: place all letters in the pouch and mix them up. For the first session, remove all the blank tiles. Now you are ready for the session.
• Place the scrabble board on the floor and ask children to sit once facing each of the four sides of the board.
• In this session, it is advisable to use 24 letters. Ask the children to draw 6 letters from the pouch.
• Explain the game to the children. Tell them that they are going to form different words from their scrabbles. Whoever makes maximum words (maximum score) wins the game.
• Explain to them that the first player combines two or more of his letters to form a word and places it on the board to read across or down with one letter on the centre square.
• The player that has the letter that is closest to “A” will begin the game.
• Ask them to complete their turn by counting and announcing their score for that turn. Play passes to the left. The second player, and then each in turn, adds one or more letters to those already played to form new words.
• Gently guide the children through placing their scrabble (across or down) on the scrabble board. New words may be formed by adding one or more letters to a word or letters already on the board.
• The score for each turn is the sum of the letter values in each word(s) formed or modified on that turn. Each letter will have a value of 2.
• If there are unplayed letters when the game ends, each player’s score is reduced by the sum of his/her unplayed letters.
• The player with the highest final score wins the game.
• If time permits, play 2-3 more rounds of the game.

Session 2:

• Ask the children if they remember the game.
• If there are any students who were absent from the previous session, ask the children to explain to him/her what the game is all about.
• When you think the children are clear about the rules, start playing. This time sit back and only help where absolutely necessary. Let the children figure out on their own.
• After 2 rounds of play, tell them that there are two blank tiles that can be used as wild tiles to take the place of any letter. When a blank is played, it will remain in the game as the letter it substituted for.
• Also, the players can exchange tiles for new tiles or they can choose to pass. When a player chooses to exchange tiles, they can choose to exchange one or all of the tiles they currently hold. After tiles are exchanged, the turn is over and players will have to wait until their next turn to place a word on the board.
• Make sure the children are able to form words correctly. Help those who are not being able to do so, but make sure that you are not forming their words.
• Play some more rounds of the game, while ensuring that you are more of an observer than a teacher.

Session 3:

• Play 2-3 rounds of the game as before.
• Now, introduce a small change in the way the game is played. Players can use all the tiles from the box and in each turn they will draw 7 tiles. The game gets over when the scrabble board is completely full with letters. The player who scored highest wins the game.