Word Colony® Kids: Speed Words Guide
GAME VERSIONS:
SPEED WORDS
game version
Players will quickly pick letter cards and build as many words as they can, gaining Stars along the way. This helps children develop their vocabulary, literacy, dexterity, rapid decision-making, visual-spatial reasoning, and strategic thinking.
COMPONENTS:
34 x Question Cards
119 x Letter Cards (making a total of 34 words)
48 x Star Cards
28 x 1-star cards
14 x 2-star cards
6 x 3-star cards
3 x Bonus Cards
1 x Guide
1 x Bell
* Game components refer to those in the Word Colony Kids: My First Words edition. Components may vary by edition.
Question Cards and Bonus Cards will not be used in this version of the game.
GAME SETUP:
Place the bell in the middle of the table so that each player can easily reach it.
Remove all Question Cards and Bonus Cards from the game. These will not be used in this version of the game.
Separate the Star Cards into three different piles according to the number of stars on them: 1, 2 or 3 stars.
Arrange the Letter Cards in groups based on the image on the back, and choose 16 groups of Letter Cards to be arranged on the table in a circular setup around the bell (letters facing down). Here’s how the game setup will look on the table:
If you prefer, you can include all 34 Letter Card groups, in which case, the circle setup will be larger around the bell. Each group will have identical pictures on the back and will form a word together during the game.
NoteWords in the game have three levels of difficulty based on the number of letters and complexity: 1 star (easy), 2 stars (medium) or 3 stars (hard).
NoteFor the first game, we suggest starting with either four or eight 1-star groups positioned around the bell and observing the players’ progress.
GAMEPLAY:
The game requires speed, dexterity, and quick thinking. Once each player is in position, with hands on the table, the moderator taps the bell, prompting all players to swiftly choose a group of Letter Cards from the circle setup and start building their word.
After collecting their Letter Cards, each player will quickly build their own word on the table using the letters and picture snippets on the cards. The word must be built horizontally, on top of their own words previously created on the table, if there are any, thus developing a Word Colony.
After completing their word, players will tap the bell as quickly as possible. The player who taps the bell first will then loudly pronounce the word they have built.
If the word was built correctly, the player will earn a Star Card containing the number of stars corresponding to the built word (1, 2 or 3 stars) and add it to their own collection.
If the word is incorrect, the next player who tapped the bell will have the opportunity to pronounce and show the word they built, thus collecting the round’s stars.
NoteIf no more 1-Star Cards are available during the game, players can exchange three of their own 1-Star Card for a 3-Star Card, for example.
New groups of Letter Cards can be added to complete the line-up in the vacant places in the circle setup. The moderator will then start a new round of play by tapping the bell.
The first player to collect 10 stars for their own Word Colony will be the winner of the game.
How about a quick video guide?
Trivia Quest
Kids will answer questions, collect Letter Cards, and build impressive Word Colonies to earn Stars. Expand knowledge, vocabulary and more!
Speed Words
Kids will quickly pick Letter Cards and build as many words as they can, gaining Stars along the way. Swift choices in action.
Edu 1-on-1
Parents can play while educating their little ones in a relaxed and effective way. The game is adaptable to the age and educational level of each child.
Classroom Challenge
Using multiple games from this collection, educators can incorporate them as an alternative educational resource in the classroom.
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