THE BALL GAME
Objectives
Grade Level
Time Needed
Space
Materials
Focus
Concentration
Generosity
Making your partner look good
Getting it alive vs. getting it right
Putting the language in their mouths
Text out of context
Clarity of thought
all
10 - 20 minutes
Clear, open space
Several balls in each of two colours. Soft balls about 8 inches in
diameter work best.
Individual words from the play printed out on slips of paper
and placed in an envelope/container for the students to pick
from.
Setting up the exercise:
This is an excellent warm-up activity as it provides an easy, non-threatening
opportunity to play, collaborate and communicate. It can also provide an
introduction to the world of the play through individual words.
The exercise
Students stand in a circle and start with their hands held out in front of them,
which is simply a sign to say that they haven’t received the ball yet.
Establish the pattern by throwing the ball to one of the students after you call out
their name. The students then continue until each person has received the ball
once. The last student throws the ball back to the teacher. This is the pattern. Tell
the students to remember who they threw the ball to and who threw it to them.
When going through the first time, remind them to put their hands down after
they’ve received the ball. Repeat the pattern to reinforce it.
Repeat the pattern introducing additional balls to increase the challenge.
Reverse direction. The person you were throwing the ball to is now the person
who throws to you and the person who was throwing the ball to you in now the
person you throw to.
Reverse back to the original pattern.
Introduce a different coloured ball, so that the original colour goes forward and
the new colour goes backwards.
Let participants pick word from the play to “toss” and “receive” along with the
ball, repeating the original pattern.
Extensions
Ask students to take their word and look it up in at least three different
dictionaries comparing the various definitions.
Ask students to use their word in at least three different sentences.
Ask students to create a drawing, painting or found-object sculpture, inspired by
the word.
Ask students to predict what the play might be about based on the words they
heard.
Ball Game Words – As You Like It
Brother
envious
lovers
scorn
Villain
passion
pasture
eyes
fortune
usurping
melancholy
wounds
wrestling
gentle
sing
pitiless
duke
Court
feast
chide
forest
innocent
courtier
vows
fool
friends
liberty
wooing
disgrace
flight
gentleness
humour
banished
exile
tree
letter
father
wind
verses
lioness
love
moralise
cure
swoon
nature
deer
rhyme
counterfeit
wit
shepherd
poetical
followers
foolery
beg
priest
tender
sport
travellers
married
woman
challenger
loyalty
oath
lie
revelry
youth
brave
rustic
Cymbeline
BALL GAME WORDS
Daughter
Heir
Husband
Banished
King
Wife
Queen
Princess
Slain
Romans
Britain
Ashamed
Virtuous
Sons
Conscience
Stolen
Stepmother
Valour
War
Ring
Ambassadors
Bracelet
Bedchamber
Penitent
Wagers
Poisons
Soldiers
Brothers
Trunk
Vengeance
Cymbeline
Chaste
Lust
Dishonour
Slander
Tribute
Cave
False
Letter
Ghosts
Milford
Innocent
Tablet
Disguise
Servant
Forgive
Garments
Drug
Villain
Fool
Sickness
Peace
Grave
Headless
Soothsayer
Corpse
Loyal
Physician
Jealousy
Guilt
Confessed
Baseness
Jupiter
Cymbeline
BALL GAME WORDS: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
BALL GAME WORDS
MOONLIGHT
PURSUE
MERRIMENT
CUPID
DAUGHTER
VOW
YOUTH
PROMISE
LAW
TRANSPOSE
WORTHY
FAULT
PLEAD
FORSWEAR
DOTES
OATHS
ATHENS
ROAR
DUTY
FAIRY
DESIRE
REVELS
LOVE
CHANGELING
EYES
JEALOUSY
CONFUSION
WOODS
LOVERS
FLOWER
SIGHS
CHARM
TEARS
HERMIA
BALL GAME WORDS: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
POWER
REHEARSE
ENTICE
SLEEP
SPURN
HEART
CHASE
BRAVE
MISCHIEF
PURPLE
VIOLET
MORTALS
DELIGHT
EYELIDS
LULLABY
FRIEND
VILE
RUDE
MODESTY
JEST
TEDIOUS
SHADOWS
MOCKERY
TEDIOUS
FEAR
ACCIDENTS
CHINK
GROUND
WALL
DREAM
KNAVERY
BOTTOM
COBWEB
IMAGINATION
GROVE
TRAGICAL
Ball Game Words - Hamlet
Denmark
Wisdom
Players
King
Prince
Mousetrap
Ghost
Murder
Offence
Fear
Uncle
Sword
Norway
Horrible
Poison
Watch
Villain
Providence
Death
Remember
Willow
Queen
Spirit
Revenge
Son
Drowned
Skull
Funeral
Arras
Grave
Marriage
Madness
Foil
Father
Actors
Wager
Mother
Motive
Treachery
Grief
Conscience
Patience
Mourning
Fortune
Love
Weary
Question
Readiness
Ball Game Words – Henry V
Kingdom
Monarchs
Peace
France
Imaginary
Kings
War
Claim
Bloody
Feats
Marriage
Tennis balls
Crown
Weep
Traitors
Mighty
Soldiers
Heart
Enemies
Pardon
Mercy
Preparation
Expectations
England
Courage
Defiance
Siege
Dowry
Rage
Honour
Ransom
Battle
BALL GAME WORDS – King Lear
Kingdom
brother
mad
Divide
offended
Fool
Sisters
villain
Storm
Love
authority
Weep
Younger
thankless
Winds
daughters
knights
Hovel
father
Vengeance
Wits
nothing
Children
Madness
Fortune
obedience
Traitor
power
escaped
Eyes
old man
unkindness
Cruel
banished
old
Foolish
bastard
forgiveness
Battle
legitimate
ingrateful
Poisoned
BALL GAME WORDS - Macbeth
Thunder
Sister
Ambition
Lightning
Withered
Undone
Battle
Thane
Crowned
Foul
Prediction
Raven
Filthy
King
Fatal
Bloody
Vanished
Battlements
Soldier
Children
Spirits
Merciless
Promised
Cruelty
Fortune
Supernatural
Blood
Brave
Fears
Dagger
Weak
Imaginings
Mischief
Hands
Murder
Gall
Gashes
Loyalty
Future
Trouble
Noble
Duncan
Rebellious
Desires
Tomorrow
Worthy
Night
Serpent
BALL GAME WORDS - Macbeth
Castle
Courage
Water
False
Knocking
Candle
Carousing
Horror
Clutch
Treason
Chamber
Stealthy
Hell-hound
Drunk
Knell
Unnatural
Dare
Sleep
Assassination
Consequence
Ball Game Words: Measure for Measure
Justice
Vienna
Marriage
Power
Execution
Slandering
Mercy
Judgement
Friar
Prison
Virtuous
Repentance
Pregnant
Plead
Conscience
Promise-keeping
Condemned
Sentenced
Duke
Honour
Accusation
Cloister
Temptation
Chastity
Law
Sin
Pardon
Strict
Corruption
Deputy
Brother
Wronged
Betrothed
Sister
Desired
Bawd
Virtue
False
Head
Guilt
Punish
Letter
Ball Game Words: Measure for Measure
Ball Game Words - Merchant
Sad
Refuse
Masque
Argosies
Accept
Stolen
Wealthy
Wooer
Fortune
Vessel
Ducats
Tribe
Merchandise
Daughter
Plead
Venice
Christian
Dowry
Lady
Jew
Flesh
Money
Mercy
Pound
Credit
Friends
Blood
Bond
Love
Forfeit
Choose
Sum
Creditor
Will
Villain
Device
Chests
Casket
Rings
Gold
Money-bags
Law
Silver
Prodigal
Confiscate
Lead
Father
Justice
Much Ado About Nothing
BALL GAME WORDS
Honour
Cupid
Soldier
Marriage
Merry
Masked
War
Orchard
Disdain
Constable
Daughter
Wedding
Niece
Slander
Noting
Honesty
Bachelor
Mourn
Love
Accusation
Wit
Death
Brother
Faint
Villain
Reputation
Much Ado About Nothing
Prince
Cousin
Wooing
Dishonoured
Virtuous
Gossip
Count
Friendship
Challenge
Innocent
Penance
Shame
Friar
Dance
Truth
Lies
Tomb
Epitaph
Scorn
Disloyal
Chastity
Treachery
Judgement
Bastard
Revellers
Counterfeit
Quarrel
Watch
Ball Game Words - Othello
Soldiership
Beauteous
Proof
Cyprus
Lechery
Deceive
Moor
Loving
Friend
Service
Jealousy
Gift
Lieutenant
Drunk
Mind
Villain
Quarrel
Jealous
Lascivious
Honest
Husband
Married
Handkerchief
Cause
Love
Reputation
Found
Thief
Suggest
Confess
Noble
Virtue
Whore
Brave
Enmesh
Treachery
Hate
Protest
Strumpet
Abuse
Cunning
Kill
Wife
Thoughts
Perjury
False
Suspicions
honour
Ball Game Words – Romeo and Juliet
Grudge
Friar
Letter
Mutiny
Love
Farewell
Foes
Dance
Nightingale
Lovers
Kiss
Fear
Parents
Night
Faithful
Rage
Enemy
Wife
Quarrel
Woo
Child
Swords
Sorrow
Tears
Hate
Daughter
Disobedient
Montagues
Nurse
Noble
Capulets
Murderer
Fortune
Peace
Husband
Pity
Death
Apothecary
Prince
Banished
Poison
Beauty
Feast
Desperate
Grave
Marriage
Tomb
Punished
BALL GAME WORDS – Titus Andronicus
Ambitious
Tyrant
Treason
Silence
Peace
Belovèd
Justice
Glorious
Business
Emperor
Hell
Rob
Bloody
Deeds
Favors
Sword
Right
Unjust
Begged
Tongue
Traitors
Desires
Soul
Sorrows
Hands
Death
Baked
Stump
Tears
Misery
Grief
Wronged
Hunt
Doom
Cheater
Dog
Innocent
Murder
Rape
Dog
Revenge
Weeping
BALL GAME WORDS: Twelfth Night
BALL GAME WORDS
Beauteous
Love
Disguise
Sweet
Serve
Fantastical
Foolish
Sad
Quarrelling
Illyria
Coward
Drowned
Brother
Ship
Sea
Duke
Bachelor
Drunk
Sword
Secret
Passion
Puritan
BALL GAME WORDS: Twelfth Night
Cruel
Heart
Rogue
Servants
Yellow
Smiles
Death
Ring
Kinsman
Twin
Drink
Desperate
Madness
Untangle
Veil
Ale
Praise
Eating
Proud
Lovers
Pity
Disorders
Letter
Challenge
BALL GAME WORDS: Twelfth Night
Song
Vows
Unfortunate
Folly
Grief
Mistake
Mischief
Married
Laughter
Rain
Ball Game Words – The Winter’s Tale
Bohemia
opinion
appeal
merry
Sicilia
scandal
Bear
guests
affection
murder
justice
flowers
child
whisper
dead
lass
Stay
jealousy
despair
love
prisoner
baby
redeem
ribbons
boys
accusation
forgive
ballad
false
spotless
punished
wooing
villain
innocent
ship
Statue
honesty
rage
disguise
Faith
Tyrant
persuade
feast
magic
friend
daughter
son
superstition
wife
Shepherd
trifles
stone
Faithful
Time
robbed
sorrow
folly
bastard
virtue
fear
princess
sheep-
Husband
shearing