My principal came in to observe me this week. Luckily, I just happen to be doing reading groups at the time. The big push in my school (I am sure may teachers can relate) is on cooperative groups right now. Timing was definitely on my side.
Running reading groups with 33 1st graders and just one adult usually looks more like a 3 ring circus then a learning experience. So naturally, I was a bit nervous when my principal walked in. My first thought, was “did she come down to see what all the noise is?” To my surprise, she didn’t seem to be bothered by the “relevant chatter.”
The one thing she did take notice of was a very simple game five students were playing in the back of the classroom. Bam! is a simple sight word game. Students take turns pulling index cards out of a box or bag and then reading the sight word written on them. If they pull out a card that says Bam!, then they must put all of their cards back and start over. My principal raved so much about this virtually effortless game, that I felt compelled to share it with all of you. I hope it brings you the same high praises…
-Melissa
Literacy is Priceless 
Love it! I’ll probably adapt this game to use with my little ones.
Hi Amy,
Bam! is one of my favorites. It is so simple and you can use it for so many different concepts. I have never met a kid that does not love to play Bam!
-Melissa