For Teachers & Educators
SketchParty TV for Classrooms
SketchParty TV is a Pictionary-style drawing game used by teachers worldwide for vocabulary review, ESL practice, STEM learning, and classroom engagement — on a single shared iPad.
Build custom word lists around any curriculum unit, display the game on any screen via Apple TV or AirPlay, and let students take turns drawing while their classmates guess on the big screen.
Why drawing games work for learning
Drawing a word creates a direct visual-to-concept link — the same mental pathway that makes vocabulary stick. When a student draws "photosynthesis" or "democracy," they're not recalling a definition; they're translating a concept into a visual representation, which deepens retention.
Research at the University of Waterloo (2016) found that drawing words as pictures led to significantly better recall than writing them. Pictionary-style games capitalize on this: students who draw a word, watch a peer draw it, and call out guesses engage the concept multiple times in a few seconds.
Teachers at schools around the world — including the Oberoi International School in Mumbai, India — use SketchParty TV as a vocabulary review tool, an ESL engagement activity, and a reward game for end-of-unit celebrations.
Built for classroom use
SketchParty TV has features that make it practical in real classrooms like yours. Use it for fun and learning!
Custom Word Lists
Build vocabulary lists around any curriculum unit — body parts, weather, historical events, math terms, literary devices. The built-in Word List Editor takes two minutes to set up.
Text-to-Speech
SketchParty TV announces the correct answer aloud after each round — reinforcing both spelling and pronunciation. Especially valuable for ESL learners hearing a word in context.
One Device for the Whole Class
Only one iPad or iPhone is needed. Students pass it around to take their drawing turn. No device-per-student requirement — just share your classroom iPad and an Apple TV or projector.
Apple Pencil Support
Students using iPads with Apple Pencil can draw with fine-detail precision. Great for science diagrams, labeled drawings, and complex vocabulary concepts.
2–16 Players
Supports up to 16 players divided into two teams — perfect for a standard classroom. Adjust team names to match student groups or class periods.
Works on Any Screen
Native Apple TV app, AirPlay Mirroring to any smart TV, or HDMI adapter to a projector. If your classroom has a display, SketchParty TV works with it.
How to run a classroom drawing game
From first setup to first round, in five steps.
Build your word list
Open the Word List Editor and type your vocabulary words — one per line. Or copy a free list from our library and paste it in.
Connect to your display
AirPlay your iPad to an Apple TV, a smart TV, or a projector. Or use an HDMI Lightning or USB-C adapter to connect directly.
Split into teams
Divide the class into two teams. Enter team names — or name them after chapters you're studying.
Pass the iPad
The student whose turn it is takes the iPad, sees the word, and draws while their team guesses on the big screen.
Review the vocabulary
Discuss any words students found hard to draw or guess. The game naturally surfaces which concepts need more reinforcement.
Subject ideas
Works for every subject
ESL & English Language Arts
Use SketchParty TV for vocabulary acquisition, spelling review, and reading comprehension. Text-to-speech reinforces pronunciation. The ESL word list gives you 150+ common nouns and verbs ready to paste in.
vocabulary units parts of speech idioms
Science
From "photosynthesis" to "chromosome," drawing scientific concepts reinforces visual understanding. The STEM word list covers biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science vocabulary.
unit review lab vocabulary process concepts
Social Studies & History
Build custom lists around historical events, geographic features, political concepts, and cultural landmarks. Drawing "democracy" or "migration" sparks discussion about what makes a concept visual.
geography terms historical figures civics
Math
Geometric shapes, graph types, and mathematical tools (compass, protractor, isosceles triangle) all draw well. More abstract math concepts become a creative challenge… can you draw "infinity"? What about without using a Möbius strip?
geometry data literacy math vocabulary
Ready to try it in your classroom?
SketchParty TV is $5.99 on the App Store — a one-time purchase that works for the whole school year across every vocabulary unit you teach.
Keep exploring