This activity was made for small groups of students to compete against one another. I do this activity with the class split into 3-4 groups. You can either have them put their desks together or pass the sheet between desks (for more social distancing). You could probably do this activity with individual students too.
Preparation
Print and cut out the vocabulary cards for the class. You only need one set of cards. Print one worksheet for each group.
How to Play
Explain the rules (see PowerPoint) and have your JTE clarify any questions before the game starts. My students picked up on the rules pretty quickly without much explanation.
Give each group a worksheet. Have them write their team name at the top (I let them use any English word they know, which makes for some amusing team names). Give each group a vocabulary card and tell them to keep it face down.
Set a timer. I've done this activity for 10, 15, and 20 minutes with good results. It depends on the English level of the class. When the timer starts they can flip over their cards.
Students write the word on the card in the "Word" column. Then, they write a sentence using the word. After a sentence is written, they bring both the card and the worksheet to a teacher. The teacher checks the sentence, giving it a O or X. For some classes, I give the students one opportunity to correct their sentence before giving it an X. Once their sentence is checked, give them a different vocabulary card.
I let my students use the textbook for their sentences. Only a few students copied sentences directly from the book (which I think is okay). All the vocabulary words are in the glossary in the back.
For some of my classes, we had the students pull 2 vocabulary cards and they had to use both words in the sentence after the first 10 sentences.
The team that finishes first and/or has the most O's wins!