Letter Links
Students are paired for this activity. Each pair needs a pencil and a Letter Links grid. The grid can easily be made by drawing an 8 x 8 grid of 1/2 inch squares with some space to the side for scoring.
Playing
Player #1 places a letter in any box on the grid.
Player #2 adds a letter to #1’s letter trying to form a word if possible.
Player #1 adds another letter to what is on the grid ect.
Scoring
Each letter that forms a word earns a point for the player that formed the word. Words within words also receive points. Scores for each player are kept under the #1 or #2 column.
Example: #1 puts a and scores 1 point for the word “a”
#2 adds t and scores 2 points for the word “at
#1 adds e and scores 3 points for the word “ate”
#2 adds n and scores 3 points for the word “ten”
#1 adds d and scores 4 points for “tend” + 3 points for “end” because adding the “d” formed 2 new words
#2 adds s and scores 5 points for “tends” and 4 points for “ends”
Note - Words can be built both horizontally and vertically. The game ends when the grid is filled or when the teacher calls “time”. The winner is the one with the most points.
In order to get the maximum number of points each player has to be aware that words within words also may be counted, but only when the last letter added produces multiple words.
. . Player #1 Player #2
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| | | | | | | | | 3 3
| | | | | | | | | 7 (4+3) 9 (5 +4)
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| | | A | T | E | N | D | S |
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