I used free rice.com when we had just a few minutes at the end of the hour and I needed a quick, engaging, educational activity to fill-in yet provide a meaningful experience. Freerice is a non-profit website which is owned and operated by the United Nations World Food Programme. Each time a question is answered correctly, 10 grains of rice are purchased to help feed Zero Hunger. The rice is paid for by the banners you see at the bottom of the page. Those donors provide the money to pay for the rice.
There are multiple subjects available. I have used English Vocabulary and SAT test preparation with my students. Questions are available in the humanities, English, Math, Chemistry, Language Learning, Geography, Science and Test Preparation.
To play the game, the student will see a word with four potential synonyms. Clicking on the correct choice will donate 10 grains of rice. Students do not need to do anything in addition to answering questions–the site keeps track of their correct answers and donates accordingly. The level of questions varies and includes beginning to advanced words. The level is automatically adjusted based on the responses of the participant. 
If a player incorrectly answers a question, that word will reappear in the near future to increase learning. On the student screen a bowl appears which indicates the number of grains of rice donated. The correct answer for the previous question appears at the top of the box. An audio symbol allows the pronunciation to be heard. The bottom of the box shows the current level, the best level a player has reached during the session, and an icon which will allow the player to increase or decrease their level.
Teachers can create a group for their class for up to 40 students. After registering themselves, teachers navigate to http://freerice.com/groups/create, fill in the required fields, click closed so only those you invite can join, choose the subjects, and hit create. Give students the link to your group and they can join. Note individual totals are real time and students can see how much rice they have donated while playing. Group totals are tallied every 24 hours. I chose to have my students screenshot their results and send them to me. We have done “extra credit,” treats for the class donating the highest percent of rice, and a “free reading Friday” for reaching a class goal over a period of a month. For the most part, I have found the concept motivating without external rewards.
Advantages:
- multi-levels of challenge provided
- quick and easy
- missed questions recycled for student learning
- option to create a group for your class
- variety of subjects
- students help others while learning
Disadvantage
- no ability to add your own questions and customize to your content
- no customer support
Still–a great little tool to add to the tool chest!
Need additional resources? Try these available from my TPT store.
Note: Clicking on the title will redirect you to the product for sale.
Learn 10 common Greek and Latin roots to help students unlock vocabulary. Understanding roots help students to prepare for standardized testing and gives them skills to independently improve their vocabulary. The unit begins with a whole class activity to introduce how knowing roots can help to unlock words. Next are reference pages listing examples for each of the roots. Students complete a worksheet where they brainstorm words which contain each of the 10 roots. An independent practice page has students match the roots with their definitions. Another page asks students to complete words by inserting the appropriate root. Next the class completes an activity of “I have, who has” where they listen to their classmate and determine if they have the card for the identified root. A comprehensive root test includes recall questions (matching words with definitions) and application where students use words in context.
Knowledge of Greek and Latin Roots help your students unlock hundreds of words and prepare for standardized tests. Students will use 10 roots in a variety of ways to enhance mastery. Handouts give students multiple words using each root. Students complete graphic organizers designed after the Frayer model to give them practice with each of the roots. A class bingo-style game gives students practice using approximately 40 words containing the target roots. Students have independent practice using a crossword puzzle, a matching exercise, and words in context. The unit concludes with a comprehensive test.
Teach your students how prefixes drastically change the meaning of words and allow readers to unlock many new words and add them to their vocabulary. The first page in this unit is a list of 10 prefixes, their definitions, and example words using each prefix. In the next activity, Pick a Prefix, students work in pairs trying to identify more words than their opponent using the prefix on the task card. Cards are included in for a whole class game called Guess the Prefix. A crossword puzzle provides independent practice. Cards are provided for “I Have, Who Has” activity, reviewing all of the prefixes. That unit concludes with a comprehensive test. Part One of the test involves matching the definitions with a prefix. Part two of the test requires application and using the prefixes in context.
Combine Prefix and Roots 1,2 for a bundle which will give your students lots of power to unlock words.