How to Play Science Pictionary

Pictionary is a rousing, fun way to learn your science facts for a test or just because you are interested in a topic.

If your children resist studying for science tests or do not seem to understand how to double-check their preparedness for a test, work with them to make it fun to learn with science pictionary. This game works particularly well for tests on parts of things like flowers, bodies or molecular structures. By compelling your child to explain scientific concepts using multiple skills like drawing and analysis, you will help them cement the facts they need in their brain.

Things You'll Need

• Note cards
• Whiteboard
• Whiteboard markers
• Pen
• Timer

Instructions

1. Write at least 25 items on separate note cards. For example, you might write "petal, stamen or chlorophyll" on three separate note cards to help your child master the parts of a plant, while "atom, proton, neutron or electron" will serve to help learn parts of the atom and where they are located (see Resources below).

2. Have the first drawer pick a card. When they are ready, start the timer. You can give the drawer as much or little time as you want to try to draw a picture that will help the guesser determine what the word or words on the card said. For example, if your card says "Photosynthesis," then you might draw the sun shining on a plant and indicate that the plant is growing.

3. Work your way through the cards, making sure that everyone alternates between drawing and guessing. This is important because it will help your child view information from different perspectives as well as making sure that everyone gets to take part in every aspect of the game. Each time a person gets an answer right, they get a point.

4. Tally up the points. If only two people are playing then you will not have kept score. Otherwise, one team will be the winner with more points than the other.

Tips & Warnings

• You will need to be familiar with the material that your child is learning in order to play this game.

• This game is a good way to determine what parts of their course material a child needs to study some more and what parts are clear in his mind already.

Resources

• Get ideas for questions here.