
Stop the Bus
Fill every category with a word starting with the chosen letter. The first to finish shouts stop the bus.
- Individuals or pairs
- 10 min
- Paper with category columns
- 3rd to 8th grade
- Quiet
One page with all five steps
How to Play
5 stepsDraw the columns
Five categories across the page: animal, place, food, name, verb.
Pick a letter
Spin or choose a letter for the round.
Fill every column
Write a word starting with that letter in each category.
Stop the bus!
The first student to finish shouts it, and everyone stops writing.
Score
One point per answer, two if nobody else had it.
Ways to Change It Up
- Subject CategoriesUse categories from a unit: elements, countries, characters.
- PairsPartners share one sheet.
Play It With
Coming SoonPickers & Groups
Letter Wheel Spinner
Spin for a random letter for word games.
Pre-K to Grade 5More Spelling Games
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Hangman
QuietGuess the hidden word one letter at a time before the drawing is finished.
Whole class or pairs5 min

Boggle
QuietFind as many words as you can in a grid of letters before the timer runs out.
Individuals or pairs10 min

Sparkle
QuietSpell a word one letter at a time around the room; the next student says sparkle.
Whole class10 min
Stop the Bus 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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