File Folder Game Ideas
Young children can practice basic concepts, such as matching, grouping and shapes, with file folder games. Teachers can easily create a file folder game that focuses on a skill they're working on in the classroom. The folders fold up and are easy to store; plus laminating the folder and the additional playing pieces increases the durability of the game, allowing it to be reused for several years to come.
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Matching
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File folder games can facilitate the practice of matching skills. The level of difficulty is adjustable to fit various ages of children. For simple matching games, adhere a set of pictures or objects to the file folder. Cut out and laminate an identical set of objects. Young children place the individual set of objects on top of the corresponding pictures on the file folder. For older children, adhere pictures of items to the folder. Print the initial letter of the item's name on individual cards. The students place the cards next to the corresponding picture. A similar option is to adhere vocabulary words onto the folder and print the definitions on cards, which are placed next to the correct words.
Categorizing
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In categorizing, children evaluate the characteristics of items and group similar objects together. The type of categorization varies based on the ages of the students. For young children, organizing objects by color, shape or beginning sound works well. A categorizing file folder game based on beginning sounds might have two to four letters printed onto the file folder. Provide a stack of cards displaying pictures of items that start with one of the letters. The child places each picture on the letter with which it begins.
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Shape Pictures
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This file folder game encourages the students to construct an image made from basic shapes. Construct a picture by placing different shapes next to each other. For example, the students may construct a ship using rectangles, triangles and circles. Draw an outline of the picture onto the file folder to provide the framework for the students. The students use a set of shapes cut from paper and lay them on top of the outline to re-create the pictures.
Counting
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File folder games can make counting fun. Adhere several pictures to the file folder, each displaying a different number. For example, glue 10 pictures of dogs on the folder with the numbers one through 10 written on them. Buttons, counting bears or cutouts of a related item serve as the counters. In the dog example, small bones cut from paper fit the theme. Students place the corresponding number of counters on top of each picture. For older students, write a basic math fact on each picture. Ask the students to place the number of counters that represent the problem's answer on top of the picture.
Dressing Game
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This file folder game is an alternative to paper dolls, which rip easily at the hands of small children. Draw a picture of a person or animal onto the file folder and adhere pieces of Velcro to the inside of the drawing. Cut out and laminate a variety of clothes. Adhere pieces of Velcro the back of the clothing. Children dress and undress the file folder character using the various clothes.
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