Teaching > Multi-Level Concepts and Lessons
Games Galore!
asabranca:
I have large classes, many low-level students and minimal access to technology, so it took me a long time to compile a list of games to suit my classes. The following is what I've gathered over the past six months. I realise that there are likely to be several repeats in other lists posted on Waygook, but I thought I would share it anyway for the benefit of others in my situation.
Cheers!
Games Galore!
20 Questions – Provide a category and instruct students to inquire using yes/no questions.
Pictionary
Sentence Scramble – Divide the class into small groups of 3-5 students and provide each one with a set of word flashcards with various nouns and prepositions. Show the class a photo of objects in various relationships (position-wise) to other objects and have students build a sentence with their flashcards. First team to build a grammatically correct sentence describing the photo wins the round. If the team calls the teacher over to check their sentence but an error is found, that team must wait until every other team has had one chance to have their sentence checked before they can re-submit their request. (Ex: “The ball is on the table between the book and the lamp.”
Body Language - http://waygook.org/index.php?topic=2523.0.html
The Elephant Game - Teacher starts students off with the word “Elephant.” Students must say a word that begins with the last letter of the previous word. (Board race variation: students write words on the board in competing teams.)
Buzz – Class counts from 1-100, saying one number per person. Any number containing a 3 or 7 must be replaced by the word BUZZ. If students make a mistake or forget to say BUZZ when appropriate, the class must start over.
Hangman – To make the game more interesting, Wheel of Fortune can be substituted using target vocabulary or phrases.
Hidden Picture – www.barryfunenglish.com Program slowly uncovers photo and teams take turns guessing what the photo depicts.
Last Man Standing – Students choose a word from a list that a teacher provides and write the word in large letters on a piece of paper. Students watch a music video with subtitles. Each time their word is called, they must stand up. If they are already standing, they must sit down. People left standing at the end of the song are the winners.
Hot Potato + Question Cards – Students must pass a ball amongst themselves while music plays. Students cannot hold ball for longer than 1 second. When the music stops, student holding the ball answers
Guess the Drawing – Same as Hidden Picture, but without a computer. Students can work in groups of three, where 1 member draws stroke by stroke and the remaining two must try to guess what the picture is.
Cryptograms – Students use a decoder to uncover a secret message. Incentives can be given for the first few students to finish.
Running Dictation - http://waygook.org/index.php?topic=2542.0.html
Tic-Tac-Toe/Connect 4 – Students recite the target phrases/vocabulary words in the boxes they select, to add an educational spin to the traditional rules.
“Change It” Sentence Game – Teacher writes a basic sentence on the board and each student must change 1 word to make a new, grammatically correct sentence. (variation: add words instead of substituting them.)
-Ex: “In the winter, I have to wear a jacket.”
“In the fall, I have to wear a jacket.”
“In the fall, I have to wear a sweater.”
2 Truths, 1 Lie – Students list 2 truths and 1 lie about themselves. Class is divided into groups and other students must guess which statement is false.
Anagrams – Teacher writes a long word like INTERNATIONAL or SPAGHETTI and has students work in teams to create as many words as possible out of the letters. The letters can only be used once.)
Simon Says – Substitute target phrases or vocabulary for older/more advanced students.
Soldiers & Ninjas - http://waygook.org/index.php?topic=221.0.html
Modified Seven Up - (see below) Instead of asking: “Did you choose me?” “Yes I did./No I didn’t.” use target phrases. Have each Chooser hold up a sign with a target phrase or vocab word and have Selectees form questions based on the signs.
Roll the Dice – Teacher creates 6 different types of tasks, listed on a worksheet given to each group. Students take turns rolling the dice and performing the corresponding task.
“For dinner, I ate…” - Students repeat everything that was said before them and then add their own word to the end. Students who forget or make a mistake must sit down. Last person(s) standing win. (Ex: “For dinner, I ate spaghetti, pizza, chicken, peas, kimchi and toast.” Next student “For dinner, I ate spaghetti, pizza, chicken, peas, kimchi, toast and apple pie.” And so on…
M&M Spoon Race – Team members complete a language task and then take a spoon, which they use to scoop M&Ms from their basket and carry them across the classroom to another basket. At the end of the time limit, the team with the most M&Ms in their new basket wins. Points can be subtracted for each M&M dropped. To make it more challenging, person carrying spoon can be blindfolded and directed by classmates.
One-Armed Pirate – Students must read a word or phrase and then pass a large ball to the person sitting next to them using only 1 arm. If the ball is dropped, the team must start over again. First team to complete the entire list of phrases or words wins.
Two Finger Point – Show a series of pictures, words or phrases in semi-rapid succession. If the teacher uses 1 finger to point at a student, they must say the word/phrase. If the teacher uses 2 fingers to point at a student, the student should remain silent. This game can be played in competing groups with a time limit. Round ends when time runs out or after 3 strikes, whichever comes first.
Backward Hoop – If students answer a question or use target vocabulary correctly, they can shoot the ball through the hoop (or wastebasket) facing backwards.
Back Talk – A type of telephone relay game in which students must convey a word by writing it on the person’s back who is standing in front of them.
4 Corners – Teacher tapes 1 word/phrase/photo in each corner of the classroom. For each question, students vote for an answer by migrating to the corresponding corner. Students who have chosen the correct answer may play in the next round. Last person standing wins.
Word Association Challenge – The class is divided into row teams, each member of which is given a number (ex: 1-6). Teacher writes a list of everyday words on the board. She calls a number and says a word. 1 member from each team (according to the number called) must figure out which word(s) on the board are associated with the word called.
Team Memory – Teacher shows a line up of vocabulary flashcards for 1 minute, then covers words up. Students are challenged to recall as many words as possible or, for advanced classes, recite the words in the correct order.
Yes/No Game – Teacher divides class into two teams. Students must ask the teacher yes/no questions. If the teacher answers “yes,” team gets 2 points. If the teacher answers “no,” team gets 1 point. Keep changing point values.
Volcano Game – One student from each team receives a word. She must describe the word to her classmates without using the word itself.
Odd One Out – Teacher gives teams of students 10-20 rows of words. In each row, one word does not belong with the others. Students must circle this word and describe the similarity of the remaining words.
Survivor Spelling – Teacher has a list of new vocab words handy. Groups of students form single-file lines. Teacher says a vocabulary word. Each student down the line says 1 letter until the word is spelt. If a mistake is made, spelling starts over with the next person in line. At the end of the timed round, 3 teams with the most correctly-spelled words get 3 points, 2 points and 1 point respectively. Class plays until word list is exhausted.
Meet the Relatives – Students list rhyming words and/or minimal pairs for a given vocabulary word. This can be done individually or in teams.
Worth 1000 Words – Teacher shows class a photograph on the screen. Students in small teams have 2-4 minutes to list as many words describing the photograph in individual words or short phrases. Team with the most words/most creative description/most unique words, etc. wins the round.
Terrific Train Game – Teacher draws train tracks with 10-15 sleepers. Teacher has students from each team spell a word/recite a target phrase. If they respond correctly, they roll the dice. They move forward on the tracks according to the number rolled. (Optional: designate some squares on the track as “lose a point,” “roll again,” etc.)
Mingle Jingle – Play music and have students walk about the classroom. When the music stops, students must interview the person closest to them.
Find Your Partners – Teacher distributes a card with a word to each student. Students must find their group based on a shared (unknown) category that they must mingle with their classmates to solve. (Ex: types of transportation, fruits & vegetables, share the same first letter, etc.)
Cops & Robbers – Divide students into groups of 6-8. Break students into two lines facing each other with an area in the middle. One line of students are cops; the other line of students are robbers. Place objects in a pile between the lines, slightly closer to the robbers. Number the students in each line from 1-3 or 1-4. Call out a number and an object. Cop will try to catch the robber after the robber has “stolen” the object. If the cop is successful, he says “I’ve caught the robber.” (point earned) If the robber is successful, she says “I’ve stolen the {book.}” (point earned) Team with most points wins.
Happy Face/Sad Face – A board race game in which a happy face and sad face are drawn or taped to the board. Teacher holds up a flashcard containing a sentence and reads it out loud. If the phrase/sentence is correct, students run to the board and slap the happy face (vice versa for an incorrect sentence). First student to answer correctly wins the round.
Line Up! – Teacher has students arrange themselves in a line according to descending birth date or other such criteria. Students can compete in teams to be the first to successfully complete the task.
Steal, Switch or Bust - http://waygook.org/index.php?topic=488.0.html
Speed Game - There are a million variations on this one every one of which is sure to get the least enthusiastic class going. Essentially, it involves printing or writing everything from simple vocab to full questions and answers to pictures that elicit either of the two. They are taped up on the wall in a horseshoe pattern keeping as much distance between them as possible. After a review of the target language split the class in two and have them line up at the tips of the horseshoe. One student at a time must read through the target language walking towards the student on the other team page by page. When they meet they rock, paper scissors it out. The winner continues while the loser must go to the back of their team’s line. Immediately, the next person in line on the losing team starts. When ever a player makes it to the other side of the horseshoe without losing a rps game, their team earns a point. Play until they get bored.
Running Dictation - Use your own short text or the texts on the English dictation pages. Cut the text into sentences and place them around the room. Split the class into groups or pairs. Each group must have one runner and a designated writer. The runner has to go around the room and read the sentences - committing them to memory - they are not allowed to touch the paper, take the paper back to the group or shout the sentence across the room. Once they think they can remember the sentence they return to the group and repeat to them what it said. The writer of the group writes down the sentence as it is dictated, if the runner forgets part of the sentence they are allowed to go back to the paper and re-read it (same rules apply). The group can then elect another runner and a writer and they have to find another sentence. The group then has to put the sentences in the correct order.
Guggenheim (Stop the Bus) - http://waygook.org/index.php/topic,3788.0.html
Language Horse Shoes – Teacher has students answer a question or recite a target phrase. If they answer correctly, they can take a shot at throwing an object (such as a plastic disk) at a pole. Extra points are given for hooking the pole.
Musical Chairs – A old classic! Teacher tapes a vocab word or phrase to each chair and have students recite the phrase on the chair they selected at the end of each round.
Christmas Limbo – Teacher has students answer a question or recite a target phrase. If student answers correctly, he has the opportunity to try his luck to pass under the limbo line made of garland or another suitable Christmas decoration. Each time, the line gets lowered. To make it more challenging, Students can stuff a balloon under their jackets to create a “Santa belly.”
BOMB Game - http://waygook.org/index.php/topic,2230.0.html
Telephone/Chinese Whispers – Students line up in groups. First person whispers a word or phrase to the student in front of them. The group relays the message to the last person who must recite the phrase out loud. The result is often much different than the original!
Jenga – Teacher divides students into small groups and provides each one a Jenga game. Students answer a question (for example, from a stack of flashcards) or recite a target phrase. If they answer correctly, they remove one block from the Jenga tower.
Human Knot/Twister – Students are grouped in 6-10 (Human Knot) and 4-6 (Twister). They must use English commands to communicate how the group should rearrange themselves either to untie the knot without letting go or how to maneuver on the Twister board without falling over.
Stinger – (see below)
Uno – Students are given a set of cards and a list of numbered target phrases. Students must say the phrase that corresponds to the number of the card they played. If they played a wild card, they may choose any phrase.
Cell phone Scavenger Hunt – Students are given a list of things that can be found within school grounds ranging from very easy (ex: an English textbook) to moderate (ex: a student high-fiving a teacher) to difficult (ex: a lizard), worth a varying amount of points apiece. Students are instructed to take photos on their cell phones and cross off the items they have found. Teams with most points at the end of the class period win the scavenger hunt!
Mad Libs – Another old classic that can be written to suit whatever topic was covered the previous week. Sure to generate lots of laughs!
Guess Who – Students are given 2 blank sheets of paper and instructed to draw 2 people according to descriptive adjectives such as weight, build, hair color, eye color, nose size, accessories, etc. Class is divided into teams. Pictures of each team are lined up on a table facing the opposing team. Each team secretly chooses one picture. Teams take turns asking yes/no questions to determine the identity of the person chosen by the other team. First team to answer correctly wins round.
Hot Seat - A volunteer comes up to the front of class and sits in the "hot seat" (with back towards the TV monitor/blackboard). Teacher explains to the students that a picture will be shown on the TV, and the rest of the students must give clues one at a time, in English, to the volunteer so he can guess what the picture is.
Word Association – The teacher calls out a word, for example, “hotel.” The first student must say a word closely associated with the word “hotel,” for example, “bedroom.” And so on. A sample progression would be hotel bedroom sofa furniture store grocery store apple…
Secret Numbers - Students are assigned numbers randomly. The students say their numbers in front of the class and the other students try to remember everyone’s number. The students must try to keep their number a secret. The students are then divided into two teams. A student from Team 1 calls out a number. If the number belongs to someone on Team 2, then that person must move to Team 1. If the student from Team 1 calls out a number that belongs to someone on her on team, then that someone must move to Team 2. The teams try to have the most players by the end of the game. The end comes either when the teacher declares the game finished or when one team has all the players (or a set number of players).
Big Wind Blows - Grammar Point (“Everyone with blue shoes, Go!!”) 15-20min MAX.
Everyone sits in a circle, one person stands in the middle and calls out description. Students with blue shoes must change seats. They CAN'T sit in adjacent open seats. Works out to make mixed groups of strangers. Play along with the students. You can throw in “Every Korean/student go.” If they're cleverly spiteful, they'll say “Every American/teacher go.” If it's a low group, I recommend physical descriptions (color, clothes, etc). If it's a high group, I suggest introducing adj. clauses (Every one who has blue shoes, Go!) and personal info (family, hobbies, etc.)
embesen:
these are fantastic, no prep games, just what I needed. Thanks heaps!
asabranca:
Icebreakers & Pairing activities
Name Game - To get to know students and to help them get to know one another, have each student state his or her name and a favorite food that begins with the same first letter as the name. For example: "Hi, my name is Sun Mi, and I like spaghetti." As each student introduces himself or herself, he or she must repeat the names and favorite foods of the students who came before. Watch out -- it gets tricky for the last person who has to recite all the names and foods!
Draw Your Name – Have students draw a picture of an object whose name begins with each letter in their name. For example, Suin might draw sunglasses, an umbrella, an igloo and a necklace. Students present their drawing to the class and explain the individual letters in English.
Group Juggle - http://wilderdom.com/games/descriptions/GroupJuggle.html
Balloon Juggle - Challenge participants to keep all balloons (1+ per person) in the air. This gets the group moving and cooperating. Once they've got the hang of it, make it harder by adding in more balloons or placing restrictions e.g., no hands to keep balloons up. Ask participants to keep juggling the balloons, but to sort them into colors (works best with large groups).
Catch the Balloon - A handy name game. Stand in a circle. Toss a balloon in the air and call someone's name. That person must catch the balloon before it touches the ground. If the person succeeds he/she then tosses the balloon up and calls the next name.
Categories - Ask everyone to stand up and walk around; explain that you will announce a category and that students should then quickly organise themselves into smaller groups, based on the category to which they belong. Once everyone is organised into their groups, ask each group to identify itself.
Sample categories: *Which hand do you write with? *What is your favourite season? *How many siblings do you have? *What is your favourite color? *Do you like coffee or tea better? Do you prefer sweet or salty snacks? Do you like to eat kimchi?
Human Knot - In a circle, people put their arms in and hold someone else's hand, then try to unravel the knot without letting go of hands. Involves getting physically close to others, stretching, laughing and problem solving.
Have You Ever? - Students stand. Teacher explains that she will call out different things that may or may not apply to each person. If the item does not apply to a student, he should sit down. If the item does apply to a student, she should stand up. (Variation: One chair is removed and person standing calls out a question. Students whose answer is "yes" must switch seats with someone else. Person left standing calls out a new question.)
Sample questions: Have you ever visited Seoul? Have you ever been to the beach? Have you ever sung at a noraebang? Have you ever had a pet? Have you ever visited another country? Have you ever played the piano? Have you ever touched a snake? Have you ever gone swimming? Have you ever flown in an airplane? Do you have a brother? Do you have a sister? Do you have a brother and a sister?
Screamer - (useful for pairing up students) Have the entire group make a circle. Everyone needs to be able to see the eyes of everyone else. Explain that you will be saying two sets of instructions repeatedly, "heads down" and "heads up." When you say "heads down," everyone looks down. When you say "heads up," everyone looks up, STRAIGHT INTO THE EYES of anyone else in the room. Two possible consequences: a) if they are looking at someone who is looking at someone else, nothing happens; b) if they are looking at someone who is looking right back at them, they are both to point in a very exaggerated manner at the other person and let out a SCREAM or YELL. They are then "out" and take their places together outside of the circle to observe. (Quiet Variation: Students must point in an exaggerated manner and leave the circle together without screaming.)
Mumble Jumble - Before the activity begins, the leader will cut up a few pictures into puzzle pieces. Each group member will grab a piece of a puzzle from a bag. The group members will keep their puzzle piece to themselves until the leader says, “GO!” At this point, the group members will try to locate the other members of the group with the pieces to form the appropriate pictures. Whichever group does it first, wins. Good activity for breaking into retreat/activity groups.
Human Taco - Stick labeled note card (with taco ingredient) on the back of everyone’s shirt. (i.e. the word “meat” printed on a note card) Have each player mingle around asking yes/no questions to find out the taco ingredient that is on their back. Explain the correct order of ingredients in a Human Taco: shell, meat, cheese, lettuce, tomato, salsa and then give the start command, “I’m hungry! Let’s eat!” Each individual must find out which ingredient they are and then find enough to form a complete Human Taco.
Comic Strip Chaos - Each participant takes a turn at picking a comic frame out of the large container. After the entire group has each chosen one, the participants begin to search for others with the same comic strip sequence. After the participants have found everyone in their group, they must arrange themselves so that the sequence of frames is in chronological order to form the comic strip correctly. Upon completion of sequence, the newly formed group sits down together. Great game to break large group into smaller groups.
Catch Me If You Can - Players should be paired up. All players divide into two lines (facing in) shoulder to shoulder, with partners facing each other. Participants should be given approximately 30 seconds to look at their partners, taking in all details about the individual. The leader then instructs the two lines to turn and face away from the center. One or both lines has 15-20 seconds to change something about their appearance (i.e. change a watch to different wrist, unbutton a button, remove a belt, etc.). The change must be discrete, but visible to the partner. The players again turn in to face each other and have 30 seconds to discover the physical changes that have been made. Players get to interact with each other and have fun!
Cooperative Musical Chairs - This activity is a takeoff on the familiar musical chairs game. Set up a circle of chairs with one less chair than the number of students in the class. Play music as the students circle around the chairs. When the music stops, the students must sit in a seat. Unlike the traditional game, the person without a seat is not out. Instead, someone must make room for that person. (The student asks in English, “Can I share this seat with you?” Then remove another seat and start the music again. The kids end up on one another's laps and sharing chairs! See how many chairs you can take away and still keep everyone seated.
Lost on a Desert Island - The situation is dire — following a shipwreck, everyone has been stranded on a deserted island! Each person is allowed to bring one object to the island — ideally something that represents them or something that they enjoy. The first part of this icebreaker is simple: each person is asked to describe what object they would bring and why. This need not be realistic; if someone loves music, he or she might choose to bring a guitar, or an animal lover might choose to bring a dog, a food lover might choose to bring sirloin steaks, and so on. Encourage people to be creative.
After everyone has introduced their object and why they have chosen that object, the teambuilding portion follows. Divide into smaller groups and ask everyone to vote on the top three items the group would bring and why.
Giants, Wizards and Elves - Giants, Wizards, and Elves is an icebreaker that is similar to Rock, Paper, Scissors — except more hilarious! It’s also a versatile game — it works in groups of all sizes, including large groups of 50 or above.
Setup for Giants, Wizards, and Elves
This game involves two teams who will act as one of 3 characters: giants, wizards, and elves. When a player acts out a character, he or she does the specific hand motions and also makes the noise associated with the character.
• Giants. Stand on your tippy toes, raise your arms like a giant, and make a menacing growling noise: “Rarrr!”
• Wizards. Crouch slightly, as wizards are a bit shorter. Wave your fingers as though you’re casting a magical spell, and make a magical noise: “Shaazaam!”
• Elves. Crouch down very low, cup your hands around your ears, and make a high pitched elf noise: “Eeeee!”
Make sure everyone knows the motions and sounds. Feel free to practice until everyone knows how to become each character. Split everyone into two teams and divide them into separate sides of the room. For each round, both teams huddle and choose to become a giant, wizard, or elf. When ready, both teams then line up and stand facing each other, about five or six feet apart. At the start of each round, the leader says “Three, two, one, go!!”
At this point, each team acts out the character they chose (giant, wizard, or elf). As soon as they do this, the winner tries to grab the loser — as many people over to their side as they can. The loser tries to retreat back to their own side to be safe for that round. If captured, a person now belongs to the other team. The following determines who beats who:
Giants beat elves, because giants are able to “squash” elves. Elves beat wizards because they outsmart them. Elves chew at their legs. Wizards beat giants because they are able to zap them with a magic spell. If both teams show the same character, no one wins. Rounds keep repeating until one team wins (the other team is completely captured).
Fabulous Flags - (also known as the Personal Flags Activity) is a useful icebreaker activity to help people convey what represents them or what is important to them. Each person draws a flag that contains some symbols or objects that symbolizes who they are or what they enjoy.
This get-to-know-you activity is best done indoors. Any number of people can participate. The recommended age is 7 and up. Materials required are: several sheets of paper, pens, and colored pencils/crayons/markers.
Instructions for Fabulous Flags Activity
Pass out a sheet of paper, pens, and colored pencils, crayons, and/or markers to each person. Explain the activity: “We’re now going to draw flags that represent or symbolize us. Please design your own flag of you – include some symbols or objects that symbolize who you are or what you find enjoyable or important.” You can show your own sample flag if you like. For example, you could draw:
• a guitar (representing your passion for music)
• a tennis racket (someone who enjoys sports)
• a country like India (representing your affiliation with a country)
• a cross and a heart (representing Jesus and His love for the world)
Give everyone a set amount of time to draw (e.g. 15-20 minutes or so) and then reconvene. Ask for volunteers to share their flags and explain the meaning of what they drew. If it is a large group, you can divide everyone into smaller groups and ask them to share their flags with each other, or you can just ask a small number of volunteers to share.
asabranca:
And finally, the documents for the games listed as "see below," along with a modified master document. : )
violettheasian:
This post is the bomb! You've covered everything!
The only two I can add to it are really simple and my friend Dale made them up.
English Ball You use a tennis ball, or anything, really, can be English dice, or etc... a plush object the kids can pass around. You give the ball to a student at random and ask them a few questions in English associated with the target lesson, or if it's your first day, it's a good icebreaker so you can ask them their names, etc.. depending on their level of English. Once they get the idea, (whoever holds the ball must speak) you can then have them pass the ball around while your back is turned. When you spin back around, whoever has the object must stand up and talk to you. You can be turned around for a few seconds or drag it out and hear the frenzy as hey pass it around. Make sure to tell them they can't throw it, it's a hard but necessary rule to enforce! Then as an option, you can get one of them to play "teacher" and turn their back to the class, and they can be the speaker for awhile. A great way to kill 20 minutes, easy, and the kids usually really like it.
kaboom you take any container and write the word "Kaboom" on the front, and explain to them that kaboom means explosion. In the container you have about thirty sentences, or words if they are lower level. For every ten words, you should put a "kaboom" or two in there. Students take turns grabbing the word or sentence and have to read them out loud, and their team will get a point. If they pull a kaboom their team loses all their points. You can even add different colored kabooms and vary them so that the other team loses their points if a certain color is drawn. Kinda like a very simple and more tangible version of the bomb game.
Again, my friend Dale came up with these two so I give him full credit but the kids love it! Thanks again for your awesome list.
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