Tic-Tac-Know - Author's Purpose Edition

To help review author's purpose with my kids, I created this game.  I called it Tic-Tac-Know because I figure we can play it with any subject at any time!!!

I used a cube Kleenex box (I love those things!) to make my die.  I covered it with wrapping paper (or you could use bulletin board paper as well) and labeled each side - 1 side - persuade, 1 side - inform, 1 side - share feelings, 1 side - free and 2 sides - entertain (since most books we read in third grade are to entertain).  Then cover it with clear contact paper to help maintain wear and tear!

Using a small piece of poster board, I created a tic-tac-toe board and labeled each square with a book we had read in class so far that year. I actually made more than one game board to use in different lessons on author's purpose as well as for backup!!!

I divided the class into two teams and they took turns rolling the die.  Depending on what side of the die came up, they would tell me a book that was written with that purpose.  If the die landed on the free side, they could choose any book on the board that was not already taken as long as they could prove to me what the purpose of the book was.

They loved this game and it really encouraged the higher level thinking skills we were trying to get out of the students.  It got a little heated at times, but that is ok.  I really loved hearing the groups talking trying to figure out what the purpose was and why!!!