Word Association

Write an evocative word on the board, for example, 'fire.' Model a few associated words by writing them on the board, e.g. 'hot,' 'smoke' and 'chimney.' Suggest that any of these words would be OK for the activity. Then, erase all but one of these associated words, e.g. 'smoke,' and ask a strong student to give you a word that relates to it. Next, say a word that relates to this student's and go back and forth until everyone understands the activity. Arrange the class into pairs and give them a new starting word - perhaps related to the topic of the class. Encourage students to say their words without pausing to think too much.