Scarlet+Letters

Created by Larry Newman

(This activity is suitable for a group of 25 of more.)
 * Directions:**

Mark a set of 50 index cards with a large capital letter in scarlet or red. The distribution would be: A(5), B(1), C(1), D(2), E(6), F(1), G(2), H(1), I(5), J(2), M(1), N(3), O(4), P(1), R(3), S(2), T(3), U(2), V(1), W(1), X(1), Y(1) and one wild card with a dot (.) on it.

On the reverse side of the cards, write the same combination of letters and dot in black ink. Do not create a card with two vowels, two wild cards, or a wild card and a vowel.

The group will need to form a 3, 4, or 5 letter word by grouping together letters based on your directions. Three letter words can be formed by black letters only, four letter words by the scarlet (red) letters only, and the five letter words can be formed by a combination of black and scarlet letters. A dot on the card (of the appropriate color) may be used only as a consonant.

Anyone unable to be a part of a word is eliminated. Use the people eliminated to check the legitimacy of the words formed.

Use some indicator to quiet the group before the announcement of the next number of letters for the word and provide 30 seconds for the group to form words.

The game may be started including everyone whenever the teacher deems it appropriate.