Activities
Are your students showing up to school using new and unfamiliar vocabulary words lately? Chances are they are carrying over vocab learned from the popular game Among Us into their everyday conversations in school. If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em, right? Check out this cheat sheet for Among Us slang.
What is Among Us?
Among Usis an online game that requires players to figure out who is an “imposter” amongst a group of players. “Crewmates” must complete tasks during each round, while the assigned imposter’s main task is to kill all other players. Players must look for clues to figure out who the imposter is. At the end of the game, players vote to guess who the imposter is.
Among Us slang
Here is a list of common slang, abbreviations, and acronyms used in Among Us that can be repurposed to also engage students in school.
How to use “SUS” in your classroom:
Definition: Someone who is acting suspicious
1. Choose a “Sus Hallway Walker.”
Use “sus” when introducing a new version of the “Secret Walker” management strategy. Explain to students that one kid will be chosen secretly each morning as a “Sus Hallway Walker.” Sus Walkers are silent, sneaky, and try to blend in. If the secret Sus Hallway Walker does all of these things, then the name can be revealed. If not, the Sus Walker remains a secret.
2. Missing homework is sus.
Create a homework chart to keep track of who hands in homework or who is missing homework. If students are missing homework several days in a row, they will be considered “sus.” Explain to students that their goal is to never become sus! If you’re sus, you might be mistaken for an imposter, which equates to a phone call home. Yikes!
How to use “AFK” in your classroom:
Definition: AFK stands for “away from keyboard.” It is used when a person playing a computer game must step away for a second
3. Use AFK as a signal to take a reading break.
Rename DEAR (drop everything and read) as AFK! Have students step away from their devices in school or at home (if learning virtually) and read! Randomly say AFK in class and have students immediately pick up a paper book to enjoy.
4. AFK means “I need a quick break.”
When students need a break, encourage them to simply say “AFK.” This can be a code word for “I need a short break.” This also works well when you need a quick break from online teaching.
How to use “CREWMATES” in your classroom:
Definition: A hard-working person who is on task and doing what is best for the team
5. “Crewmates” is inclusive and gender-neutral.
Call your students “crewmates” instead of “friends” or “class.” For example, when getting their attention, say “Can I have all crewmates’ attention in 3…2…1.”
6. Create color teams.
Break students up into different colored crewmate teams. One table might consist of the Blue Crewmates while another table contains the Red Crewmates. Use these nicknames for table competitions or just as a way to refer to certain groups of students.
7. Instead of class jobs, have “crewmate tasks.”
Create “crewmate tasks,” which is another way of displaying classroom jobs.
How to use “IMP” or “IMPOSTER” in your classroom:
Definition: Someone who purposely sabotages others’ ability to complete tasks
8. Determine which math equation is an imposter.
Use “imp” or “imposter” to describe one idea that doesn’t belong. For example, display four fractions on the whiteboard. Three are proper fractions while the fourth is improper. Ask students “which fraction here is an imposter?” AKA, which fraction doesn’t belong?
9. Practice error analysis.
Play a game with students and secretly assign a few students to be imposters. For example, have all students close their eyes and tap two students’ shoulders so they know they’re imposters. Display a math problem and have students solve. Imposters should purposely make a mistake. Have students share answers, correct the work of peers who made a mistake, and then vote on who they think were imposters (students who purposely made a mistake). This game is perfect for error analysis practice!
How to use “COMMS” in your classroom:
Definition: Communications; Common tasks to be completed
10. Have comms instead of centers or stations.
Replace centers or stations with “comms.” For example, you could have a “Word Work Comm,” “Math Comm,” and “Independent Reading Comm.”
11. Help students stay organized with comms lists.
Replace “Must Do” lists for students with “Comms” lists. These are common tasks that are required to be completed by a deadline. Most students will be excited to complete comms, but probably feel overwhelmed when told what they “Must Do.”
Your students will be so excited to hear you use these familiar words with them! We’re always teaching them new vocabulary, it’s time we let them teach us Among Us vocabulary!
Here are some more cool ideas: 10 Fun Ways to Use Among Us in Your Lessons to Boost Student Engagement.
