Of course you know hangman is a popular game among educators to teach vocabulary, languages, problem-solving and drive classroom engagement. What you may not know that is there are actually many more ways to play Hangman than you can imagine in the classroom. Whether your incorporating Hangman into English language arts, math, science, or history lessons, this article will show you the different ways you can adapt Hangman to your lessons.
We have also prepared a template with a range of different versions of the Hangman game for teachers to infuse a delightful twist into your upcoming lesson plans. So be sure to read until the very end!
The Original Hangman Game
The Hangman game is a classic word puzzle that has long been used to help students practice vocabulary and language learning. In the original version of the game, it would begin with a blank word displayed as a series of dashed lines and an empty gallows. Students would then guess letters to fill in the dashed lines and uncover the correct word. Each correct guess would prompt the teacher to write the corresponding letter in the appropriate spot. However, if students guessed incorrectly, the teacher would draw one stroke to depict a body part on the gallows. If the drawing of a full person was completed, the students would lose the game.
Controversies Over Hangman
While the Hangman game can be enjoyable to play, it failed to meet the expectations of students and parents, resulting in unfortunate controversies surrounding the game. In fact, numerous comments have criticized the game for evoking resemblance to lynching – violent acts perpetrated towards Black Americans in the 19th and 20th centuries in the United States. Therefore, due to the original version’s lack of acceptance among Americans, it is recommended to explore alternative versions that offer a more light-hearted and enjoyable experience.
Benefits of Hangman to Students
The hangman game is a popular classroom activity that has been enjoyed by students for generations. Here are the various benefits of hangman to students:
- Promoting language skills and improving vocabulary: Students must accurately guess letters and words to win, requiring them to closely observe language patterns, spelling, and pronunciation. This activity is particularly beneficial for ESL learners or those struggling with language skills.
- An excellent icebreaker activity: Hangman encourages students to interact and socialize with their classmates, fostering engagement and teamwork while creating a supportive learning environment.
- Adaptable and customizable to any topic or subject matter: Teachers can utilize hangman games to introduce new concepts, reinforce ideas, or review previously covered material. Whether it involves vocabulary words, scientific terms, or historical events, hangman games assist students in retaining essential information.
- Motivating and enhancing student concentration: Hangman games help sustain student interest during lessons, prevent monotony, and support students in focusing on and practicing pronunciation and spelling (Munikasari, Sudarsono and Riyanti, 2021)
Different Alternatives to the Hangman Game
Download this complimentary PowerPoint template and follow the subsequent steps to craft various alternatives to the Hangman Game:
The Original Hangman Game
How to play:
Allow students to guess letters for the word puzzle. For each correct guess, place the letter in the corresponding box to reveal the word. However, if students guess incorrectly, progressively draw a depiction of a body part on the gallows, starting with the head.
Tools Needed:
Let’s Build a Snowman
How to play:
Similar to the classic hangman game, students still engage in guessing the word. However, in this version, we introduce a delightful twist. Instead of depicting a hanged man for incorrect guesses, our template allows students to construct a snowman with each correct letter guessed.
Using our convenient template (which you can download above), you can easily drag and drop snowman parts to gradually build a complete snowman as students correctly guess letters in the word. You can also add some spice to the game by setting a limit on the number of guesses, so you can create an exciting yet challenging game.
Tips: You can easily turn any texts, images and icons in PowerPoint into Draggable elements using ClassPoint’s Draggable Objects in 1 click, as shown below:
Tools Needed: ClassPoint’s Draggable Objects
Alternative Method:
If you prefer not to drag and drop the pre-made snowman parts, you also have the option to draw the snowman using annotation tools within the PowerPoint slideshow using ClassPoint’s annotation tools.
Escape From the Aliens
How to play:
Introducing an alternative variation that maintains the essence of the original game with alien spaceships poised to attack our planet! The students’ mission is to discover the correct word by guessing letters, ultimately driving away the extraterrestrial invaders. With each correct letter guessed, one spaceship will soar off into the distance. You can get access to Draggable spaceship elements using our template (which you can download above). However, it is crucial to establish a limit on the number of guesses. If the incorrect attempts limit is exceeded, no spaceships will be removed, resulting in the defeat of the students.
Tools Needed: ClassPoint’s Draggable Objects
Alternative Method:
If you prefer not to physically move the spaceships, you can again, utilize ClassPoint’s annotation tools to mark a cross over the spaceships, symbolizing the removal of the alien spacecraft.
Save the Carrot
How to play:
Instead of using alien invaders, you can invite your students on a journey to save the carrot! Whenever students guess a wrong letter, you can advance the rabbit to a new milestone on the prepared pathway, using our downloadable template above. If the bunny reaches the carrot, it indicates that the students have lost the game. On the contrary, if students guess the word correctly, move the carrot to the farmer to signify their successful rescue of the carrot!
Tools Needed: ClassPoint’s Draggable Objects
Alternative Method:
Another approach to playing this game is by eliminating the pre-made road from the template. Instead, you can utilize ClassPoint’s annotation tools to draw the road progressively, indicating the bunny’s advancement towards the carrot with each incorrect letter guessed by the students.
Swim for Your Life
How to play:
This version of hangman is reminiscent of the “Escape the Aliens” variation mentioned earlier. However, in this version, instead of aliens, we have sharks swiftly approaching us! To evade these sharks, students must uncover the correct word.
Tools Needed:
Alternative Method:
If you prefer not to physically move the sharks, you also have the option to cross over the sharks using ClassPoint’s annotation tools.
Time to Play!
Now that you have everything prepared, let’s organize a game session with your students using one of these Hangman alternatives with our free template! And if you need more PowerPoint game ideas, check out this blog post on the different games you can create in PowerPoint!
