I Have, Who Has Game- Bring Back the Fun!

Online learning has changed much of what we do in the classroom.  When I first started teaching in 1999, playing games with our classes was commonplace.  Those games seem to have gone out of vogue, but I think there is real value in them!  They increase accountability, provide motivation, build classroom community, and are just fun!  Vocabulary is a necessary part of teaching science (and many other contents!)  Finding fun ways to practice and review vocabulary doesn't have to be tedious!  The I Have, Who Has game can be applied in many ways, and is super easy to set up.

How to play
The premise of the game is to have a class set of cards that say "I have (and a word or definition,) who has (and another word or definition.)"  You can have the students stand in a circle with their cards, or they can stay in their seats. 

Every student gets at least one card- some students might need to have more than one.  If you have a student with special needs, they can have the first card.  If you don't have enough cards, a student can be the timer, the answer-key checker, or a hint giver. 

The first card is read, which says, "I have the start.  Who has (vocabulary word)?"  The student who has the answer on their card will then read their card:  "I have (definition of vocab word.)  Who has (another word or definition.)  The game ends when the last card is read, which says, "I have the end."

Ways to use the Game
I use this game in two ways- as a timed competition, or as a small group card sort.  For the timed competition, I take 5 - 10 minutes at the beginning of class to do two or three rounds of the game.  I post all the class' fastest time on the board.  The goal is for each class to get faster every day, and also to have the fastest class time.  When the words are first introduced, I don't make students switch cards in between rounds, but as time goes on, I do make them switch.  For the card sort, I use the cards in stations with small groups.  The students have to put the cards in the correct order, starting with the "I have the start" card. 

I used the game for practicing and reviewing science vocabulary, but it would also work well for multiplication facts, matching countries and capitals, and identifying people and their accomplishments.

How to set up the game
1. Make (and number) a list of terms that you want kids to know, with the definitions.  This will guide what you write on the cards as well as be your answer key!
2. Count out enough index cards for each word, plus one more card.
3.  On the first index card, write "I have the start.  Who has ___________?"  In the blank, write either the vocabulary word OR the definition of the word for term #1.  Do not include the number on the card.
4.  On the next index card, write "I have ___________."  In the blank, write the answer that matches what you wrote on the first card.  Then write, "Who has ___________?" Fill in this blank with the vocabulary word or definition for term #2.
5.  Continue writing "I have (answer), Who has (term)" on the rest of your cards.
6.  For the very last card, write, "I have (answer.)  Who has the end?"  The last card should just say, "I have the end."

My students always enjoyed this game and got quite competitive with it!

If you don't have time to make your own game, or want to try one out, visit my TpT store to see the I Have, Who Has games that I have!