I found this one in Dale La Fevre’s, Best New Games, Updates Edition (2012). Dale credits Gudrum from Germany for sharing this one. (At the time of this post, the only place I found a copy of the book was at Thriftbooks.com)
Dale likes to use it in the middle of a program since it’s, “a little complex to be a starting game.” I think it will be a good brain break or energizer with a puzzle solving twist.
Needs & Numbers: You’ll need the three-syllable word cards. I made us a set of cards (below). There are four Level 1 (easy) words, four Level 2 (moderate) words, and four Level 3 (hard) words in the set.
The game is played with 8 to 12 in a group. If you have up to 24 participants, make two groups of 12 and have two words from each Level ready for each group (each group will have six cards). If you have more groups in play, you just need more words.
Once you have your groups, creatively divide each group into four subgroups. It’s okay if subgroups only have two players. Here’s what the configuration looks like for play:
Dale likes to use it in the middle of a program since it’s, “a little complex to be a starting game.” I think it will be a good brain break or energizer with a puzzle solving twist.
Needs & Numbers: You’ll need the three-syllable word cards. I made us a set of cards (below). There are four Level 1 (easy) words, four Level 2 (moderate) words, and four Level 3 (hard) words in the set.
The game is played with 8 to 12 in a group. If you have up to 24 participants, make two groups of 12 and have two words from each Level ready for each group (each group will have six cards). If you have more groups in play, you just need more words.
Once you have your groups, creatively divide each group into four subgroups. It’s okay if subgroups only have two players. Here’s what the configuration looks like for play:
|
Once you have your groups, creatively divide each group into four subgroups. It’s okay if subgroups only have two players. Here’s what the configuration looks like for play (see right):
The subgroup that volunteers to guess first will position themselves in the middle area of the triangle of subgroups. |
|
Process: In other terms, this is a guessing game. The subgroup in the center of the triangle will be guessing a three-syllable word. The subgroups at the corners of the triangle with be providing the data for the guessing.
Here’s where the cards come in. The header above is showing three cards with a Level 1 three-syllable word. The Level 1 words have two syllables that are complete words: Team and build. Level 1 words will be a little easier to work with at the start. Level 2 words have one syllable that is a complete word, and Level 3 words do not have any complete words. (See the download to get the complete picture.)
Here’s where the cards come in. The header above is showing three cards with a Level 1 three-syllable word. The Level 1 words have two syllables that are complete words: Team and build. Level 1 words will be a little easier to work with at the start. Level 2 words have one syllable that is a complete word, and Level 3 words do not have any complete words. (See the download to get the complete picture.)
|
Using the Level 1 cards above, each subgroup of the triangle is given one of these cards. When ready, the guessing group (in the center) will call, “1, 2, 3.” After “3” the triangle subgroups will respond, simultaneously, with the syllable on their card that is located above the three-syllable word on the card. Like this (see right):
|
|
Now the guessers have 30-seconds, after hearing this simultaneous response, to work together to combine the syllables into a three-letter word and call it out. (If there are multiple groups in play, have someone from one of the triangle groups watch the time.)
If the guessers have not found the three-syllable word within 30 seconds, they count again, “1, 2, 3.” The triangle groups each say their syllable at the same time. If the word is not found, one final 30-seconds is given and one last call. Level 1 words, get three calls. (The other Levels can have more – or not!) If the word is not guessed, it can then be revealed.
Whether a successful guess is made, or not, it’s now time to rotate subgroups. A new guessing subgroup goes to the center of the triangle, and the guessers become responders – shouting out syllables.
Considering the set of three-syllable words. If each full group has a complete set, each subgroup will have one word to guess at each Level. If you split the set between two groups, each group will have two words from each Level – not every subgroup will have a guess at each level. Of course, you can also make more word cards.
How about this. Divide each full group into three subgroups (12 people, 3 subgroups of 4). Then, for each word, starting with Level 1 words, one volunteer goes into the center. How will the subgroups determine who goes into the center?
I’m guessing you’ve got the idea. Sounds like some good challenging fun. I’ve got my cards ready for my first play in a couple of weeks. If you try this out, leave us a Comment about the experience.
Here's your print-n-play cards set:
If the guessers have not found the three-syllable word within 30 seconds, they count again, “1, 2, 3.” The triangle groups each say their syllable at the same time. If the word is not found, one final 30-seconds is given and one last call. Level 1 words, get three calls. (The other Levels can have more – or not!) If the word is not guessed, it can then be revealed.
Whether a successful guess is made, or not, it’s now time to rotate subgroups. A new guessing subgroup goes to the center of the triangle, and the guessers become responders – shouting out syllables.
Considering the set of three-syllable words. If each full group has a complete set, each subgroup will have one word to guess at each Level. If you split the set between two groups, each group will have two words from each Level – not every subgroup will have a guess at each level. Of course, you can also make more word cards.
How about this. Divide each full group into three subgroups (12 people, 3 subgroups of 4). Then, for each word, starting with Level 1 words, one volunteer goes into the center. How will the subgroups determine who goes into the center?
I’m guessing you’ve got the idea. Sounds like some good challenging fun. I’ve got my cards ready for my first play in a couple of weeks. If you try this out, leave us a Comment about the experience.
Here's your print-n-play cards set:
| 3syllablegame_cavert2026.pdf |
NOTE: You will get a preview of the PDF before you choose to download.
Thanks for Playing!!
All the best,
Chris Cavert, Ed.D.
Thanks for Playing!!
All the best,
Chris Cavert, Ed.D.
RSS Feed