Too Bad So Sad

By this time of the school year, students are efficient in their use of class time, and what took us fifteen to twenty minutes to organize at the end of the school day in September, can now be accomplished in about five minutes in March. This gives us time to play some games. Some days the games help us develop our classroom community, other days, we are working on learning various skills.

On this day, we are working on our spelling skills. We are playing the game, "Too Bad So Sad". Students stand in a circle on the rug. Ms. Leom gives the class a word. Each student says the next letter. At the end of the word, the next four people say one of the following words, "Too Bad So Sad". Any student who has to say sad, or who makes an error has to sit down. At the end of the game, the last person standing "wins". Every year, I wonder if this is the year or group that this game will have a student who is noticeably uncomfortable and anxious about this game. Every year, I anticipate a back up activity for a student who stands off to the side, is the last to join, or has other indications this isn't a "safe" activity to his/her learning style. I am always surprised to see how students rush through writing in their planners, stacking their chairs, and hold off a visit to the restroom, so they can participate. When I ask students about this game, they tell me they don't worry about making mistakes, because sometimes it is the luck of player to be "sad" and have to sit down. The game goes so fast, no one really notices when someone misses because of a mistake. Once this game is introduced, often students will BEG to play - even when there is a week without a spelling list.

It is "Too Bad So Sad" that you are able to be in class to join us!