Recommended level: Elementary grade 6

Lucky Pyramid

Description

Flashcards are arranged on the board in a pyramid shape – e.g., 4 along the bottom, 3 on the middle and 2 on the top and a ‘winner’ space at the top. Each group picks one card on the bottom row. The students repeat the teacher until time is up. Whichever groups chose the final card that was called out ‘ascend’ to the next row. Whichever groups are the highest at the end win. Any groups that reach the top of the pyramid in the meantime can win one bonus point and reset to the bottom.

Notes

Depending on the number of flashcards you have in your set, you may need to exclude some to make a proper pyramid shape. You could also include multiples of the same flashcard if you need to make the pyramid larger.

Card Drop

Description

Students make groups and divide small vocabulary cards between themselves. They repeat the teacher until the timer goes off. If the last called target English matches one of their cards, they can put it down.

After a certain number of rounds, whoever has the least cards wins one point. If more than one student has the least cards, they each win one point. If any student has no cards left, they win five points.

Notes

If, for example, there are 9 cards in your set, it’s good to have 3 students each with 3 cards in their hand. Any left over students could be put in groups of two, and the remaining 3 cards in their set can be left aside.

Lucky Guess

Description

Students make groups and get a set of small vocabulary cards. They shuffle the deck and place them face down. The students ask the first player the target English question, who answers with a guess as to what the top card of the deck is. They then turn over the card. If it doesn’t match, they discard it face up. If it does match, they win one point for that card and each remaining card in the deck. They then shuffle all the cards and reset the deck.

In later rounds, a ‘joker’ card could be added – if the joker is found before a student guesses correctly, that player could lose a certain number of points.

50/50

Description

Each group gets a set of cards. Each group splits these cards into two sets – ‘yes’ and ‘no’. They can put as many cards as they like into either set.

The students then repeat the target English with the teacher until the timer runs out. The teacher puts the last called card into their own ‘yes’ or ‘no’ set, depending on what their last answer was. Once all the cards have been sorted into one of the sets, the groups check their own cards. They get one point for each card that is in the same set that the teacher chose.

Notes

  • Generally this game works best grammar that has two possible choices, like ‘yes’/’no’ questions, ‘can/can’t, ‘do/don’t’, and so on.
  • Every card doesn’t need to be used in in every round. The teacher could pick, for example, 4 cards that the students need to put into a set then use those. More cards could be added every round.
  • A simple rule change for later rounds could be to have all groups start with as many points as there are cards being used, and they lose a point for each matching card at the end of the round.
  • Another rule escalation could be that the students need to turn their cards face down before putting them in groups, and they can’t reveal what they are until the round is finished.

Card Collect Game

Description

The class is split into two groups. Number cards are placed under each vocabulary card (the value being hidden from the students).

The students repeat the target English with the teacher until time runs out. The teacher then picks one member from each group to janken each other. The winner gets that card for their group. This continues until the rounds are finished. Then, the secret numbers behind each groups’ cards are revealed. The winning group has the highest total points.

Notes

If the class is too boisterous to pick members to janken, the ALT and teacher could represent one team each and play against each other instead.

Time Travel Game

Description

Students are in groups and each group is given either a sheet/flashcards with all the vocab or a set of number cards to correspond to the numbers in the game. On each slide insert images corresponding to the target English.

ALT/HRT/JTE sets a timer and goes through the target English on the screen. When the timer has gone off, give STS some time to guess where they think the real image is. They guess by placing an ohajiki on the flashcard that corresponds to the space. After, click the next button to reveal where the real image is.

STS who guessed the correct place get 1 point!

Castle Game

Description

STS are in groups and each groups gets a game board and a set of small cards. Each set of small cards should have 1x princess, 1x dragon and 4x nothing cards. On the blackboard, assign 6 target English flashcards a number 1~6. STS shuffle the cards and place them facedown on the game board. 

ALT/JTE sets a timer and calls the target English. STS repeat. When the timer sounds, the last card call indicates a number. Groups turn over the card on their game boards that corresponds to the number of the last called flashcard. If a group turns over the princess card, they get 1 point and shuffle and reset their cards. If a group turns over the dragon card, they do not get any points and must shuffle and reset their cards. If a group turns over the nothing card, nothing happens. No points and no shuffle. 

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Bonk

Description

Everyone starts the game with 5 points. For each round, students are given a choice of key words. Students repeat each word and then choose one (they can use their name magnets or a set of mini cards on their desk).

When all students have made their selection count down from 3 and click to drop the bowling balls. Anyone who gets ‘bonked’ loses one point. Each new round, students can change their choices. After the final round, check who survived with the most points.

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The Money Game

Description

Give each student three random cards. It would be great if they get at least one reverse card. Students stand up and find a partner and practice the grammar structure. They then play “rock, paper, scissors.”

Without showing the cards, the winner picks one from the loser’s hand. There are three scenarios:

  • If the winner picks a money card (100 or 200), the round ends.
  • If the winner picks a reverse card, the loser gets a turn.
  • If both the winner and loser pick two consecutive reverse cards, the round ends.

If a student runs out of cards, they ask the teachers for two more cards. The student with the most money wins the game.

Notes

It would be great if each student gets at least one reverse card.

Element Game

Description

Firstly, explain the strengths and weaknesses of each element. Water beats fire, fire beats earth, earth beats water. Air beats water, fire and earth. Pollution beats air, but water, fire and earth can all beat pollution.

Give each student three random element cards. The students stand up and find a partner, then practice the target English. The students then both pick one element card from their hand. Instead of saying “rock, paper, scissors,“ they count down “3..2..1.. Show!” Whoever has the winning card takes their partner’s card.

In case of a tie, both students place their cards somewhere (like on a desk or chair) and continue to the next round until there’s a winner. The winner collects all the cards.

If a student runs out of cards, they ask the teachers for two more cards. The student with the most cards at the end wins the game.

Notes

  • Make sure they count down “3…2…1…Show!” or any other chant you would like in English. If not, there is a chance for students to just say “せーの” if the English is not emphasized.
  • Print enough cards so you will have spares for the losing students.

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