While this was posted a while ago, I think it deserves a revival as a good Countdown template and the game itself is quite a fun way to engage students, especially when you are in need of a short activity or a last minute lesson plan.
However, I play this game without technology, usually with quality A5 cutouts of all the letters which I stick to the board with magnets but you could just as easily use double-sided tape.
It's ideal as I can keep this lesson as a pack of cards in my book bag and have them to hand in all my lessons when I need something impromptu or if the computer isn't working.
I've included a link to my site below where it's possible to view the lesson plan with step-by-step images and also download the pdf file to all the cards.
http://www.flashcardencyclopedia.com/countdown-for-the-esl-classroom/I introduce this activity by writing an A on the board and eliciting B, C etc but I draw a line between A and B and write the letters on the correct side. So A on one side B, C, D on the other. Then I ask where E should go. etc. Elicit the Vowel and Consonant if possible.
I also use this lesson as an opportunity to practice the V sound - Korean doesnt have a V sound and if you ask a lot of Korean school children to pronounce that letter theyll say Bwee. Therefore I emphasise that its
Vowel not
Bowel and I usually draw a little anatomical torso with intestines marked in to show what bowels are.
It usually gets a laugh.
And then I go straight in to it ask them for a consonant or a vowel until you have 9 letters and explain that they need to make the longest word they can from the selected cards illustrate like I have in the blog. Divide the students into groups or if theyre a high level they can play individually. I give each group a piece of paper so they can experiment.
Play and have fun. Try to beat your students!
