I usually start by going through a few examples of the grammar point with the students and then demonstrating how to play the game with the JTE using big versions of the cards on the blackboard.
HOW TO PLAY:
• In pairs/small groups, shuffle the cards and deal them out. Set a timer for 30s~1m.
• Janken to determine who goes first. The winner places a card in the middle so that everyone can see.
• Start the timer when the winner starts (“When I’m hot, I eat ice cream”). The next person has to say something different for that same card (“When I’m hot, I go swimming”).
• Keep going back and forth/around until the timer goes off. Make sure that students know they can’t repeat something that has already been said so that they really monitor each other. The person whose turn it is to speak when the timer goes off takes the card.
• This can be played with the card going back into play in the loser’s hand or into a dump pile that they can’t pull from. The dump pile variation means the game can keep going even if one person gets rid of all their cards (because they can still receive them if they lose a round).
• If in pairs, a dump pile is preferable so that the game doesn’t go on forever.
• It’s a good idea to hide the timer so that students can’t purposely stall to make sure the next person takes the card.
• Continue with the next person starting (and going in sequence). The first person to get rid of all their cards (or person with the least cards at the end) is the winner.
NOTES:
Depending on how familiar your students are with dynamite games, you might have to demo a few rounds with the JTE. My students tend to take a couple of rounds on their own to get a full grasp of how the game works, but once they get the idea they can get pretty excited.
I've only ever played this for about 15-20 minutes, but my students usually get more into the game as it goes on, so you could probably play for even longer if time allows.
Again, I recommend hiding the timer, as this forces them to think faster to try and pass the card since they don't know when it'll go off. I also like adding in a punishment game for the loser at the end, typically just getting them to stand up and say "When/If I see the person I like…"
Hi! My second graders are learning this grammar so this game is perfect!
I was a little confused about the instructions.
At the beginning of the game, are all the cards dealt out, meaning they have them in their hands?
When the cards are placed in the middle, do they only give an answer for that card? Does the next person put down their own card and then give an answer for their card?
How does everyone get a turn to put their card into the middle and get rid of them?
Thank you!
Hi! Great game idea. However, I share the same confusions as @greenteapeople. How many cards per group or per individual?
My bad, I've never come back to check this for questions.
All the cards should be dealt out so that they have them in their hands. They can leave some cards out to make sure everyone starts with the same number.
They only give answers for the card in the middle. This way they can make sure that they aren't repeating answers.
If they're in groups, the first person puts their card in and they go until the time runs out. For each subsequent round, just have the next person in the group choose one of their cards to put in the middle. In pairs, they're just alternating, and in groups they just take turns until everyone has put a card in the middle and then start over from the first person again.
You need a full sheet of cards for each group and then have to divide them up evenly amongst the students in the group.