5/10/22
I recently had a colleague ask me if I had a Family Feud game template. I personally love Family Feud, and in the past I have created a Family Feud inspired vocabulary game for students. The game was a consistent hit and often a part of our spring vocabulary Olympics.
As I searched my files I came across my game template. It is truly a simple template, with basic rules, and the point management system consists of the teacher using a whiteboard or active board marker to add points to team scoreboards on each slide. Still, the template works! It is fairly simple to fill out if you have mastered the art of cutting and pasting, and it is free!
While Family Feud is a fun game, it is not a game concept that works well with all content. 'Questions' can't have a right or wrong answer, and instead must have many possible answers. While this could be an amazing way to prompt teachers to ask more open questions, the game demands that the possible answers also be short, limiting question types even more. Below are a few ideas for using Family Feud in the classroom.
Classroom Family Feud:
- Vocabulary: Provide each group with the same vocabulary word. Have groups write down one word that they associate with the vocabulary word (Name something that people associate with the word 'greedy'. This could be a synonym, example etc. Have teams share their answers (I have them write their answers on whiteboards and flip their boards when they are asked). Then reveal each of the popular opinion answers and tally the points.
- Story Elements: Character, setting, and plot questions are a great way to get students thinking about different genres of story and the way each has somewhat predictable story elements. 'Questions' could include, 'Name something a villain would wear.", "Name a setting for a magic show" and "Name something that might cause two characters under the age of 10 to argue."
- Math: I've found math to be the most difficult subject to come up with questions for this type of game. Some of my favorites are, "Name the most common shape.", "Name a friendly number." and "Name the most useful American currency.".
- Community Building: Ask fun questions that will result in fun answers. At the beginning of the school year I like to ask a series of 'school' themed questions. For example, "Name something you would find in a classroom.", "Name something you would hope not to find in the Cafeteria." and "Name a reason someone might get in trouble at recess.".
Ultimately students are doing a lot of critical thinking to decide what answer to give for each open question they are asked. Working as a team to brainstorm and make their final decision generates collaboration and communication. I often take the opportunity to have students justify their answers before I reveal the answers on the board. This allows all students to hear the critical thinking happening in the room, and gets students even more invested in the game.
-