The matching game can be modified to fit any lesson. Can be used for children, youth or adults. 

The matching game is a simple game that can be used in almost any lesson. You can use it at the beginning of a lesson to introduce a topic or even at the end of a lesson to review what you have learned. 

As we use the General Conference talks more and more with our lessons, you can also use the matching game as a way for students to learn more about the General Authority who gave the talk you will be discussing.

Last week I enjoyed how our Relief Society teacher used the matching game to teach us a little bit more about Elder Jeffrey R. Holland before discussing a talk given by him. I found that I did not know all the facts about Elder Holland and found it very interesting, making it a great attention getter and introduction to the lesson.  

OBJECT OF THE GAME: To match two cards that go together. 

There are really two ways you can play this. One way would be to divide the classroom up into two teams. Each team takes a turn turning over two cards. Or you can go around the room and let each member of the class take a turn turning over two cards. If the two cards are alike or go together, it’s called a match. The match is then taken down leaving the remaining cards. Every match can represent a point if you want to keep score, that is optional. 

Another thing that is optional, is when you get a match, that person or team gets to go again before letting the next person or other team go. 

When preparing the matching game, you can set it up like concentration and mix all the cards up together. Or you can have two sides or two sets of cards with different colors like I do in the picture below. A card is then picked from each side.

You can also number one set of cards and letter the other set.   When the cards are numbered and lettered, the student can tell the teacher very quickly which two cards they choose instead of coming up themselves and picking them. Doing it this way seems to go faster and not take up as much class time. If as the teacher you are not wanting to take the time to turn over the cards yourself, you can also ask for a volunteer to come up and do all the card turning. 

HOW TO MAKE THE MATCHING GAME:

Simply cut out strips of construction paper long ways, about 3″ tall. 

Using a marker you can write the answers directly on the construction paper

OR

You can print the answers out, cut them to fit the construction paper, and then glue them onto the construction paper.  

You can tape them up on the chalkboard using tape or I prefer magnets. 

Yours Truly,