Practice Activity

Use Microsoft Word to create game boards, an entertaining way to practice skills or reinforce vocabulary concepts.  Learn to develop 9”x11” game boards with Word and game cards to use with vocabulary, science, math, social studies, and/or language arts skill practice. Game cards are printed on Avery-type business card sheets which can easily be separated.  Use Internet Explorer for best results.  Follow the steps below to create the game board Homework Blues. 

Step 1 Download Images

1.  Place mouse over each image. 
2.  Right-click mouse and choose "Save Picture As..." 
3.  Save the images to your desktop.  They will be used in the game board and can be deleted after completing the exercise.

homeworkkid.gif

scared.gif

homework.gif

bus-loading.gif

redbook.gif

dogatework.gif

books5.gif

math.gif

firedrill.gif

Step 2 Download Gameboard Template
1.  Click this link Basic Game Board 5 and choose, Save. 
2.  Save the template to the desktop.

Step 3 Opening Template and Setting Colors
1. Close Internet Explorer and locate gameboard5.doc on the desktop. 
2.  Double-click the file to open it.
3.  To change colors of individual block spaces, click the desired block until small circles appear around it (see below).

4.  Double-click again to get a Format AutoShape screen (see below). 
5.  Change the color of the square by choosing the Lines and Color Tab. 
6.  Change the fill color using the dropdown menu. 
7.  When completed click OK. 
8.  Continue the process for each square until the desired colors have been selected.

Step 4 Inserting WordArt
1.  Click the WordArt button on the Drawing Toolbar at the bottom of the screen (see below).  This button looks like a tipsy A.  If there is no Drawing Toolbar, click View from the top menu line...Toolbars...Drawing. 

2.  Choose the fourth WordArt style in the second row. Click OK.  Type Homework Blues.  Click OK.
3.  Click Format from the top menu line...WordArt. 
4.  Click the Lines and Color Tab and choose the desired fill and line colors (see below).

Step 5 Inserting Text 
1.  Click individual squares until a blinking cursor appears (see below).  Then type text. 
2.  Center and format size as in any Word document.

Step 6 Inserting Image
1.  You will now use the images you downloaded in Step 1.  Click at the top of the game board document.   
2.  Click Insert from the top menu line...Picture...From File.
3.  Click the picture file name, homeworkkid.gif.  Click Insert.
4.  The image will probably bounce to the bottom of the screen.  Scroll down to locate it.  Click the picture.  Then click Format from the top menu line...Picture...
5.  Click the Layout tab and choose the tight option.  Then click OK.
6.  Use the mouse or arrow keys to move the picture to the desired location.
7.  Continue this process to insert the remainder of the images.

Step 7 Print and Enjoy!

Ready-made game boards are also available.