Basic Concepts Games & Materials

The games listed below can be played to help students develop language skills for basic concepts. There is a basic concepts card set and scavenger hunt template (linked below) that can be used to play the following games. The basic concepts card set includes opposite pairs (e.g., on/off, big/little).

Basic Concepts Card Set (password required)

Basic Concepts - Scavenger Hunt (password required)

1. Scavenger Hunt - Going on a scavenger hunt can be a fun way to teach basic concepts. Have the student(s) find items while reading a book or while walking around the room.

2. Act It Out - Have students act out what various concepts mean. Incorporating movement into teaching basic concepts is a great way to keep students engaged and motivated.

3. Sorting – Use a sorting task to introduce students to the basic concept cards. This will allow the students to become familiar with the cards. Depending on the student, pull out 3-10 pairs of cards to use for a sorting task. Place all of the cards face up on a table in front of the student. Ask the student to sort the cards into opposite pairs. Help them as needed. Label the cards for the student as s/he finds the pairs. Once the student has matched all of the opposite pairs, talk about each pair. Label the concept pair (i.e. “Hard”, “Soft”, “Open”, “Close”, etc.) and then demonstrate the basic concept. For example, pick up the pair of cards representing “hard” and say “This is hard”. Then take the “hard” card and go over to a table and knock on the table top and say “This is hard.”

4. Touch - This is a basic game, but it works well to help students learn what concept each card represents. Place cards around the room in obvious locations. As you say the card names, the student will go to that card and bring it back to you.

5. Hide n’ Seek – Have the student close their eyes as you hide the cards around the room. Have the student look for and find the hidden cards. When the student finds a card s/he must name the card. Once the student is familiar with the cards, have the student demonstrate their understanding of the basic concept pictured on the card. For example, if the card represents the concept “on” then the student can demonstrate their understanding by placing a pen/pencil/paper/etc. “on” a table/chair/desk/etc.

6. Collect 'em – Lay the set of opposite card pairs out face up on the table. Using the shuffled deck of cards, say “I’ll show you a card, and you give me the opposite of my card. If you get it right, you keep the card, if not, I keep the card.” Whoever has the most cards at the end wins the game.

Basic concepts often occur in pairs and tend to be opposites. For example, a student needs to understand both hot and cold to fully understand temperature. This game requires a higher level task for basic concepts. It requires the student to find the opposite basic concept of the one that they have been shown.

7. Memory game for opposites – place opposite pairs of cards face down on the table in a grid format. Depending on the student, you can use 4-12 pairs for a game. You and the student take turns flipping over two cards looking for the opposite pairs. If you or the student finds the pair, then you have to name the pair and demonstrate an understanding of the basic concepts shown in the picture. For example, if you find the pair for “open” and “close” then you can show the concept by opening and closing a drawer or a door in the room.