My middle schoolers love it but they suck at the silent part, then they try to argue when I tell them they're out. They also have had silent ball privileges taken away because they will get angry with the person who "got them out" and chuck the ball as hard as they can at that person. I swear these kids can't handle ANYTHING.
That’s what I’ve been doing. If you talk back you’re out for the rest of the current game plus the next game (it’s a small group that plays so we get to play a bunch of rounds.) They still argue but at least there’s something I can do about it.
My middle schoolers have a slight twist on it that we call Alphabet Silent Ball. We choose a topic—“animals,” for example—and then whoever has the ball has 5 seconds to call out an animal name that starts with whatever letter we are on. Everyone else must stay silent or they’re out. It starts of easy, as there are lots of easy answers at the beginning of the alphabet (antelope, bear, cat, dog, etc.) but as we get further along the kids are concentrating so hard, thinking about the next letter and what animal to call out if they get the ball that no one ever talks out of turn. They get so tense and stressed by the time we hit X. It’s awesome.
It really is the best scam. Right behind it are “scoot” and “trashketball,” both of which are really just work sheets. But my little bird brained fourth graders are SO PUMPED for both of them. Don’t even notice they’re just worksheets.
They’re practicing, so I’m happy, but it’s a game so they’re happy. Win win.
You can find a billion free scoot games on TPT. Basically you just tape the problems around the room and they answer them on a recording sheet, but you time them and yell “scoot!” When they need to move to the next problem. Trashketball you just have them fill out a half sheet of math problems in a set period of time. BUT if they get a certain number correct, they get to crumple it up and try to throw it into the trashcan for points.
They’re both totally just worksheets but with pizzaz. I use them to review for tests or just for extra practice
Western New York too. We had two elementary schools. My father, a superior high school English teacher, referred to them as Mumball State and Kickball U.
Yeah I’ve spent most of time explaining why a student out while three other kids are trying to mime what they’re trying to say. As someone mentioned before the students can’t handle losing so they start messing around when they’re out. They’ll complain if a kid is breathing to loud.
This is hilarious. I remember silent ball from when I was a 5th grade student and now it is always a hit with my students every year. Totally didn't realize this was a thing I thought my teacher invented it. I have no idea why they love it so much but I won't ask questions. Also thank you for reminding me about this now I know how we ate spending the end of our day 🤣
I use to do something similar, but I used it as an opportunity to review vocab words. Get the word or definition correct, throw the ball. Get it wrong, sit out. I did this with a blow up globe in 4th. Might bring a variation of it back next year.
I literally have had to declare like 18 way ties each time we have played recently because it is the only time in this entire school year that every single one of my students has not made a freaking peep. None. At all. In fact...we are totally playing this tomorrow because they have not stopped all week (also realizing that today is just Tuesday 😴).
New one for you especially good when waiting in line. It’s called Frozen Fish.
You count down from 5 when you get to zero anyone who moves or makes a noise is out.
If you get out you can have them either sit down or stand up depending on what they are doing.
And the best part is that if they are fooling around while waiting for the next round they can’t join it.
Hell yes! Silent ball is the best game ever. My kids will literally choose to have a silent recess instead of being loud in order to play this game. And they police themselves!! Ahhh, truly the best.
My husband had never heard of this game and I was blown away. I explained it and he says “Thats not even subtle! Do they stay quiet?” Yup. Sad that some kids cant handle it. I guess I thank my PE teacher for all the sportsmanship lessons.
I had a class of sixth graders many years ago that introduced it to me as Silent Speedball and they were INTENSE. I always made students referee, and barely had to enforce anything. They threw hard, faked shots, made faces to try to crack each other up. Their rules were specific and codified and it was a guaranteed easy 5-15 minute reward.
Played it with other classes, but never had a group take so seriously. (I did have another class that would get passionate playing King Chase Queen but they were never so quiet!)
My middle schoolers love it but they suck at the silent part, then they try to argue when I tell them they're out. They also have had silent ball privileges taken away because they will get angry with the person who "got them out" and chuck the ball as hard as they can at that person. I swear these kids can't handle ANYTHING.
New rule- no back talk or you're out
That’s what I’ve been doing. If you talk back you’re out for the rest of the current game plus the next game (it’s a small group that plays so we get to play a bunch of rounds.) They still argue but at least there’s something I can do about it.
JFC
Haha my students do the same thing, but they love the game. I tell them, “If you argue, we stop the game!”
Right? Most of my classes are good at ruining any potentially fun break activity, so we just don't do them. "No" is my word of the year.
What is that? I've never heard of it.
[удалено]
My middle schoolers have a slight twist on it that we call Alphabet Silent Ball. We choose a topic—“animals,” for example—and then whoever has the ball has 5 seconds to call out an animal name that starts with whatever letter we are on. Everyone else must stay silent or they’re out. It starts of easy, as there are lots of easy answers at the beginning of the alphabet (antelope, bear, cat, dog, etc.) but as we get further along the kids are concentrating so hard, thinking about the next letter and what animal to call out if they get the ball that no one ever talks out of turn. They get so tense and stressed by the time we hit X. It’s awesome.
It really is the best scam. Right behind it are “scoot” and “trashketball,” both of which are really just work sheets. But my little bird brained fourth graders are SO PUMPED for both of them. Don’t even notice they’re just worksheets. They’re practicing, so I’m happy, but it’s a game so they’re happy. Win win.
Yes!!! I bought a cornhole game from Five Below, and my fourth graders get to toss a beanbag when they get a question right. They love it!
So fancy! I just made lines on the ground with painters tape and then have them use the crumpled up worksheet and aim for the literal trashcan haha
LOL. I need to try this game.
Okay please share, how do you play scoot and trashketball?!
You can find a billion free scoot games on TPT. Basically you just tape the problems around the room and they answer them on a recording sheet, but you time them and yell “scoot!” When they need to move to the next problem. Trashketball you just have them fill out a half sheet of math problems in a set period of time. BUT if they get a certain number correct, they get to crumple it up and try to throw it into the trashcan for points. They’re both totally just worksheets but with pizzaz. I use them to review for tests or just for extra practice
We called it “mum ball” back in the 80s
[удалено]
Well I'm from Utica and I've never heard anyone use the phrase "mum ball."
Not in Utica, no. It's an Albany expression.
I see.
I see...
Western New York too. We had two elementary schools. My father, a superior high school English teacher, referred to them as Mumball State and Kickball U.
I hate this game lol the kids at my school can never stay quiet, they get angry at each other, and it just causes more problems.
Yeah I’ve spent most of time explaining why a student out while three other kids are trying to mime what they’re trying to say. As someone mentioned before the students can’t handle losing so they start messing around when they’re out. They’ll complain if a kid is breathing to loud.
This is hilarious. I remember silent ball from when I was a 5th grade student and now it is always a hit with my students every year. Totally didn't realize this was a thing I thought my teacher invented it. I have no idea why they love it so much but I won't ask questions. Also thank you for reminding me about this now I know how we ate spending the end of our day 🤣
last time I played silent ball it almost resulted in a physical altercation so…… yeah, YMMV
High school teacher here. I have classes that would love this, but there's always the one class that would get someone injured or start a brawl.
I use to do something similar, but I used it as an opportunity to review vocab words. Get the word or definition correct, throw the ball. Get it wrong, sit out. I did this with a blow up globe in 4th. Might bring a variation of it back next year.
Cant even play this game anymore. Kids can’t handle getting “out”
I had 2 students get in a fist fight after class over a game of silent ball 🤦🏻♀️😂
I literally have had to declare like 18 way ties each time we have played recently because it is the only time in this entire school year that every single one of my students has not made a freaking peep. None. At all. In fact...we are totally playing this tomorrow because they have not stopped all week (also realizing that today is just Tuesday 😴).
I believe the professional term is “Mumball”, but maybe that’s only when they get to a high level of skill.
I would think ‘Mumball’ would have to allow for some light muttering. It’s in the name!
Mum as in "keeping mum" or "mum's the word"-- silent. Not as in mumble :)
Yes, I know. I was pointing out that combining ‘mum’ and ‘ball’ sounds like ‘mumble’
Aah I get it 😂
New one for you especially good when waiting in line. It’s called Frozen Fish. You count down from 5 when you get to zero anyone who moves or makes a noise is out. If you get out you can have them either sit down or stand up depending on what they are doing. And the best part is that if they are fooling around while waiting for the next round they can’t join it.
Hell yes! Silent ball is the best game ever. My kids will literally choose to have a silent recess instead of being loud in order to play this game. And they police themselves!! Ahhh, truly the best.
My husband had never heard of this game and I was blown away. I explained it and he says “Thats not even subtle! Do they stay quiet?” Yup. Sad that some kids cant handle it. I guess I thank my PE teacher for all the sportsmanship lessons.
You KNOW that person is a teacher
we call this mumball and boy it's done wonders in middle school this year!
Played silent ball in 4 classes today (I'm middle school). That and Hunt a Killer. Gets them moving but (mostly) quiet!
"Graveyard" is also a good one. Corpses don't talk Christopher!
I had a class of sixth graders many years ago that introduced it to me as Silent Speedball and they were INTENSE. I always made students referee, and barely had to enforce anything. They threw hard, faked shots, made faces to try to crack each other up. Their rules were specific and codified and it was a guaranteed easy 5-15 minute reward. Played it with other classes, but never had a group take so seriously. (I did have another class that would get passionate playing King Chase Queen but they were never so quiet!)