How to Play Hot Seat
One student sits facing the class with their back to the board. Classmates give clues to the word written behind them until they guess it.
- Whole class
- 15 min
- A chair facing the class and a word list
- 2nd to 12th grade
- Lively
How to Play
5 steps
Set the hot seat
Put a chair at the front, facing the class, with its back to the board.
Write a word
Write a vocabulary word on the board behind the student.
Give clues
The class gives clues without saying the word or any part of it.
Guess it
The student in the hot seat guesses until they get it.
Next player
Whoever gave the winning clue takes the hot seat.
Ways to Change It Up
- Team Hot SeatTwo teams take turns with a one-minute limit for points.
- Act It OutClues have to be acted, not spoken.
Play It With
Classroom Timer
Set the minutes, press start, and run a countdown the whole room can read.
All grades, Pre-K to 12Classroom Scoreboard
Keep team points on the board during games.
All grades, Pre-K to 12More Vocabulary Games
All Vocabulary Games
Classroom Bingo
QuietEvery card is different: call a clue, students cover the matching answer, five in a row wins.
Pictionary
LivelyTeams draw review words on the board while their team guesses.
Charades
LivelyAct out a word without talking while your team guesses.
Hot Seat Questions
Plan the Game into the Week
Drop a game into any lesson plan in EMStudio, with the rules attached. Free to start.
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