Our noun identification game is so sweet you might have to remind your students they can’t eat the pieces. 😋

To play this Building Sundaes with nouns game, students will choose a sundae piece, read the word, identify the category of noun (person, place, thing, animal), and match it to its position on the corresponding noun sundae game board. 

Have a Tasty Time with Noun Categories

Use this resource in your reading center, and as a guided reading or a whole class exercise (see below) to practice recognizing and using nouns.

Players take turns choosing a sundae piece, reading the word, and deciding the category of noun it is (person, place, thing, or animal). Then they will find the matching category on the game board and cover the piece. Take turns choosing sundae pieces until all of the sundaes are complete! 

Scaffolding and Extension Tips 

After categorizing the nouns, have students put the words in alphabetical order. You can also challenge students to produce rhyming words for each noun. 

Support students who need help understanding the concepts by using an anchor chart or poster as a visual reference while working through the cards. 

More Ways to Play with Noun Categories

Use this resource as independent practice for fast finishers, and full-class learning opportunities like scoot activities, lesson reviews, comprehension assessments, and more.

🍡 Knock Off

Have your students stand up and make a line across the room. Project the game board on the screen. Using our Random Name Picker widget, draw a student’s name and provide them with a word piece. If the student correctly identifies the noun type, they place it on the sundae and tap the person on their left or right to send them back to their seat. If the student answers incorrectly, they must sit out. Play continues until only 1 student is standing.

👀 Scavenger Hunt

Hide the sundae pieces around the room when your students are not around and put the noun category cards in the center of the room. Then set your students loose! As soon as they find a piece, they bring it up to the sundae card, read the word, and put it on the matching noun type sundae. NOTE: You may want to make a rule of only 1 student at a card at one time. If not, things could get a little crazy! 

🍧 Swat 

Print an extra sundae card and cut out each one. During small group instruction, lay the noun types sundaes on the table and give each player a fly swatter. Read the words off the game pieces and have the students swat the noun type that matches the word. The first student to correctly identify the noun gets the game piece and sets it aside to keep score—the student with the most wins. 

Get our 10 Best Scaffolding Strategies here! 

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Print on cardstock and slip the game board into a dry-erase sleeve for added durability and longevity. Place all pieces in a folder or large envelope for easy access. 

Before You Download

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the PDF or Google Slides version of this resource. 

This resource was created by Lindsey Phillips, a teacher in Michigan and a Teach Starter Collaborator. 

If you’re looking for more ways to practice categorizing nouns, be sure to check these out! 

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