I enjoy using guessing games - as this is random and I can call on all students - all students have a (fairly) even chance of getting it right. With a small class you can then have the students take turns in being the 'teacher' and secretly choosing a flashcard.
Here are a couple of games I used recently - which are very flexible. The first part is more practice, then more controlled (with me being the teacher), then letting students have a more active role (being the teacher - higher students can start by being the teacher but usually lower students want a chance too)
Yesterday I did a 2 part activity with the grade 5 students.
Part 1 (more listening practice but with some speaking (listen and repeat)
1) I choose a card without showing it to myself (I had the flashcards as a pack in my hands - but I couldn't see the picture) and everyone asks me Where are you? [or target question]
2) I will answer while showing the card to the students.
3) If my answer is the same as the card everyone makes an O with their hands above their head and repeats the answer.
4) If not, everyone makes an X with their hands above their head and say nothing.
5) Students that are correct get one point. Continue the game and the student with most points wins. [We didn't really bother much with the points. - students were happy for me when I got it correct! If I took the cards from teh back of the pack and move it forward I can see what it is as I can see through the back of the paper - does that make sense??)
Any vocabulary and sentences are possible.
Part 2 (students can use the pictures in their textbook - or quickly draw a picture/word/sentence for each vocab word - count down from 5 (slowly and dramatically) while they draw - it is not art class but English class)
Telepathy game
1. I have 4 cards with locations on. When I say Start, everyone asks Where are you? [or whatever your key question is.]
2. I will choose one of the cards without showing it. [Again make a bit of a deal about it and stare at the card that they can't see - be careful not to just hold the one card you are choosing as it is often possible for the students to see through the back of it! - I keep them as a pack but have the front one as the one I have chosen). All students guess one of the locations, point to it (put your eraser on it) in the textbook, and say the location, using Im in the
[put your eraser on the place]
3. I will show the card and say the expression.
4. The students who chose the same location as me should repeat the expression after me and earn one point.
5. Continue the game. The student with the most points wins.
[Again you can have another student be the 'teacher'
