Word Morphing

Preparation Time: None

Materials: Whiteboard and markers

Procedure:

1. Divide the class into teams of 5-6 students.
2. Write a four-letter word on the board, for example “FEAR."
3. Each team selects a scribe, and the teams take turns telling their scribe a new word to write underneath the previous word. Each new word must change only one letter from the word which went before, and no repeats are allowed. Here’s an example of a sequence:
   • fear – bear – bean – been – beet – beep – deep – etc
4. Any team unable to provide a suitable word loses points. When no team can suggest a word, start again from the beginning with a new word.

Variation: Start with a five-letter word and give students the option of changing two letters each time.