Why it works in class
The imposter game is a speaking and listening activity disguised as a game. Students have to describe a word precisely without saying it, listen closely to everyone else, and explain why they suspect someone. It takes about five minutes a round and works as a warm-up, a brain break or the last five minutes before the bell.
The School pack is set up here: 41 words from the school day, from “Field trip” and “Report card” to “Microscope” and “Spelling bee”. It starts with 12 players, two imposters, a hint word for each imposter and a five-minute timer.
Running it
- One device per group. Type students’ names or leave the boxes empty to use Player 1, Player 2 and so on.
- Pass it round. Each student taps to see their card, then hides it before passing it on. Ask the group to look away while someone reads.
- Clue round. The tool picks who starts. Each student gives one clue, in order.
- Discuss and vote. Start the timer. Ask students to give a reason with their vote: “I think Sam, because ‘chalk’ could be anything.”
- Reveal and repeat. Mark who won and play again for a new word.
Turning it into a lesson
Swap in your own list with “Your own words”: this week’s vocabulary, the characters of a class novel, countries you’re studying or science terms. The hint after a colon gives the imposter a fair chance and makes the words’ connections part of the discussion.
All 41 words in the School pack
Each word with the hint the imposter sees when “Imposter sees” is set to “A hint word”. Reading the list spoils the game for whoever reads it, so let the person who reads it sit out the first round, or add your own words.
Show the word list
| Secret word | Imposter's hint |
|---|---|
| Pencil | write |
| Eraser | mistake |
| Backpack | carry |
| Lunchbox | sandwich |
| Whiteboard | marker |
| Calculator | numbers |
| Globe | world |
| Ruler | measure |
| Glue stick | sticky |
| Notebook | lines |
| Textbook | chapter |
| Homework | evening |
| Recess | outside |
| Cafeteria | tray |
| Library | shelves |
| Gym class | whistle |
| Field trip | permission slip |
| Spelling test | words |
| Math | equations |
| Science | experiment |
| History | past |
| Geography | maps |
| Art class | paint |
| Music class | instrument |
| Teacher | desk |
| Principal | office |
| School bus | yellow |
| Fire drill | alarm |
| Report card | grades |
| Graduation | cap |
| Microscope | tiny |
| Locker | combination |
| Hall pass | hallway |
| Show and tell | share |
| Snack time | crackers |
| Playground | swings |
| Chalk | dust |
| Bell | ring |
| Spelling bee | letters |
| Pencil sharpener | point |
| Highlighter | bright |