Archived from Englipedia.
Originally submitted by Shoni Dykstra on Dec 12, 2014.
DETAILED EXPLANATION:
- Come up with six to ten sentences practicing the target grammar.
- (optional) Make a worksheet so students can write the letters on their own paper as they are guessed. If the puzzle sentence is a question, you can have them write the answers on the worksheet.
- Put students into groups.
- Write the vowels in red chalk with -1 underneath of it on the far left of the top of the chalk board. (Buying a vowel) Write the consonants across the top of the board.
- Students need to choose their order within the group as well as a group leader. (While you're writing the letters and stuff on the board is a good time to have them do this)
- Group leaders Janken to decide which group starts.
The winning group's first designated roller, rolls. Rolling a six automatically ends a group's turn, and they pass the die to the next team. (this is true throughout the game). If they roll a 1~5 they may choose: consonant or vowel.
If they choose to name a vowel, subtract one point from their score, then reveal if their vowel is in the answer. Note: No points can be scored by revealing vowels (it's always -1), however a team usually profits from the successful revelation of vowels.
If a consonant is chosen, the student can make one guess. If it's a correct guess their score is the number on the die. If there are more than one of the letter guessed, multiply the number on the dice by the number of letters revealed. The die then goes to the next person in that group. This continues until an incorrect guess is made, or a six is rolled, and the die is passed to the next group.
Any group may answer the puzzle at any time by raising their hands and reading the answer. Give them 10 points for solving. This keeps all groups engaged.
TEACHING SUGGESTIONS:
- I have found this game works best with a maximum of six groups, and a maximum of six members per group.
- I sometimes give students time limits to guess a letter keep things moving.
- If you can't get your hands on a die, a six-sided wooden pencil or cards numbered 1~6 work fine.
TIPS/CAUTIONS:
- After a few rounds, students figure out that rolling a 1 is the best time to buy a vowel. They also figure out that letters they expect to be more of are best guessed when they roll a five.