The Buzz on Buzzwords
by Karen Luciana

Buzzwords was eagerly torn into and played in my classroom.  Its catchy title and alluring, colorful box were enticing to my fifth graders.  We worked in groups of six and divided the groups into teams as instructed in the directions, which were easy to read and comprehend.  

During the game, players are given a clue (called the buzzword), followed by several statements, all whose answers contain the buzzword. The object is to be able to figure out as many correct buzzword answers as possible.  It is directed that players divide themselves into 2 teams. Answers are then called out as a time limit is set via a sand timer.  An example of one such keyword includes, “ Hill, “ followed by these statements: 1.  The highest point (hilltop); 2.  There are two types of snow skiing: cross-country and…(downhill); 3. It’s before: “to fetch a pail of water” (Jack and Jill went up the hill); 4.  To get to the top of the hill, you walk (uphill); 5.  Pile of dirt at the entrance of an insect’s tunnel (anthill).
 

What did the players say?

  These were many of the positive comments during and after play:

The categories were fun.
The object of game was fun and easy.
Themes were fitting to us (children).
It was not hard to play.
We liked it!
Can we play again?

There were also some criticisms stated:

There was too much yelling.
The game got out of control with the yelling because everyone tried to beat the timer.
There was a need for more order.

After play, my students and I brainstormed ways to eliminate the problems that some groups encountered, because all students seemed to enjoy the overall theme of guessing the words.  So we discovered that playing was more successful when teams consisted of pairs.  Ideas to eliminate the yelling and confusion were to write the responses instead of calling our and then awarding the points once answers were shared.

As a final note, when students ask to play a game again, as was the case here, that is a huge testament to the success of a game!