If the concept of “e pluribus unum” is turned into “e unus pluribum,” (= “out of one, many”), effective multi-skills, multi-purpose lessons can be devised from just one set of visual and/or print materials. These might be objects, pictures, text, or even commercially or pedagogically designed games or activities.  Even previously accumulated audio and/or video segments can enhance such efficiently planned “lessons.” 

For example, sets of pictures of the same kinds can be used for such diverse pursuits as “Vocabulary Chains,” “Grammar Pictures,” “Captions That Capture,” “Categories,” “Compare & Contrast,” “Description Clues,” and much more.

Word-level educational Card Decks or Packs, especially those with matching pairs or sets of four items, are especially versatile. For instance, the words/images on card faces can serve as flash cards for vocabulary identification and phonics reading practice. They can be associated with one another in classic card games that follow the rules of “Concentration,” “Pass the Card,” “Snap,” “Go Fish,” etc.  They can be sequenced in games like “War” or “ Rummy.”  They can be used as “Caller/Matching Cards” in Bingo/Lotto, Tic-Tac-Toe, Path-Board competitions, and “The Game of Knowledge.”  And there are many other uses for the same or adapted materials.

“Realia” (real objects or models of items) works well in role-play and manual manipulation activities involving Memory, Observation, Arrangement, Exchange, and other productive learning skills. They are especially enticing in the “Whatchamacallit Game.”

At multiple levels of difficulty, “authentic” text/visual materials like menus, brochures, forms, booklets, magazines, and so on become pedagogically valuable when used in “Reading Kits,” “Information Scavenger Hunts,” “The Expert Game,” “Chain Writing,” and other integrated skills activities.  

And of course, with materials as simple as paper and pencils, many creative activities can be conducted with no or little preparation.  

For specific instructions for a few of the above suggestions, here are sample chapters from Authors & Editors’ classic how-to-do-it-yourself resource book, Doing Without the Photocopier, Idea B = Phonics Pictures, Idea L = Reading Kit.   There are also free Workshop Handouts: “Use Whatcha Have, Give Whatcha Got, Take Whatcha Need” Workshops, Connections in Word-Level Instruction presentations, and more.

[CHECK BACK. WE WILL BE ADDING: Links to Doing Without the Photocopier, Still Doing Without the Photocopier, Alphabet Answers, phonicSpelling, Creating Card Decks & Games)