Gerund Snap! Reading Vocabulary Card Game

Gerund Snap! Vocabulary Card Game
 
Understanding -ing Words in Action

Basic Concept

Gerunds are verbs that function as nouns by adding -ing. They can be grouped by:

1. Base verb families (run → running, run away → running away)

2. Usage categories (hobbies: swimming, reading, hiking)

3. Subject areas (science: observing, measuring, hypothesizing)

Card Sets

Set 1: Basic Action Gerunds

Theme: Physical Activities

- running
- jumping
- walking
- skipping
- dancing
- hopping
- swimming
- climbing
- singing
- playing

Set 2: Mental Action Gerunds

Theme: Thinking Activities

- thinking
- studying
- reading
- writing
- learning
- solving
- planning
- dreaming
- wondering
- remembering

Set 3: Academic Gerunds

Theme: School Activities
- calculating
- measuring
- analyzing
- discussing
- presenting
- researching
- observing
- experimenting
- comparing
- evaluating

Set 4: Phrasal Gerunds

Theme: Multi-word Actions
- looking up
- working out
- giving up
- checking in
- reaching out
- breaking down
- picking up
- setting up
- turning around
- moving forward

Game Variations

1. Basic Gerund Snap

**Players:** 2-4

**Cards:** Use duplicate cards from one set

**Goal:** Collect most matching pairs

Rules:

1. Deal cards equally among players

2. Players take turns placing cards face up in center

3. When identical gerunds appear, first to slap and say word wins pile

4. Must use gerund in sentence to keep cards

2. Action Category Snap

**Players:** 2-4

**Cards:** Mix cards from different sets

**Goal:** Match gerunds from same category

Rules:

1. Define categories (physical, mental, academic)

2. Snap when gerunds from same category appear

3. Must name category and both gerunds to win pile

4. Extra point for using both in one sentence

3. Root Verb Snap

**Players:** 2-4

**Cards:** Mix various gerunds

**Goal:** Match gerunds with same root verb

Rules:

1. Snap when gerunds share root verb

2. Example: "running" and "running away"

3. Must identify root verb to win pile

4. Bonus point for adding another form

 4. Synonym Gerund Snap

**Players:** 2-4

**Cards:** Use synonym pairs in gerund form

**Goal:** Match meaning-related gerunds

Example Pairs:

- observing/watching

- speaking/talking

- thinking/pondering

- looking/gazing

- walking/strolling

Rules:

1. Snap when synonym gerunds appear

2. Must say both gerunds to win pile

3. Create sentence using both

Advanced Variations

1. Gerund Function Snap

**Cards:** Gerunds used in different ways

**Goal:** Match gerunds with same function

Categories:

- Subject of sentence

- Object of sentence

- Object of preposition

- Predicate nominative

Example Cards:

- "Running is fun" (subject)

- "I enjoy running" (object)

- "Think about running" (object of preposition)

2. Gerund Chain Snap

**Players:** 3-4

**Cards:** All sets mixed

**Goal:** Create connected sentences

Rules:

1. When snap occurs, players build chain

2. Each sentence must use previous gerund

3. Example:

- "Running makes me tired"

- "Being tired affects my studying"

- "Studying improves my learning"

Teaching Tips

1. Scaffold Introduction

- Start with basic action gerunds

- Add categories gradually

- Introduce functions last

2. Support Materials

- Display common gerund endings

- Post category lists

- Show sentence frames

3. Assessment Options

- Track gerund usage

- Note sentence complexity

- Monitor category understanding

Extension Activities

1. Gerund Collection

- Students create personal gerund cards

- Must justify category placement

- Add to class game set

2. Gerund Journal

- Record new gerunds found in reading

- Categorize discoveries

- Use in original sentences

3. Gerund Hunt

- Search texts for gerunds

- Identify functions

- Create new game cards

Materials Needed

1. Card stock for durability

2. Different colors for categories

3. Storage system for sets

4. Sentence frame references

5. Category labels

6. Score sheets