This is my first post and I am also a new ALT so I am not sure if this has already been done by another person. Please let me know if it has. This activity has been generally successful for all the classes I have used it in, and it provides good laughs for most of the students involved.
All students need to have for this game is a blank piece of paper and a writing utensil.
The ALT would need a timer to keep track of the game.
Have the students fold the paper into 6 segments. There should be 6 long horizontal boxes starting from the top to the bottom of the paper. At the top of the paper, in the top most box MAKE SURE THEY WRITE THEIR NAME in the top corner.
At the top of the paper, in the same box they wrote their name, have them write a sentence using the target grammar. So far I have only used this for Year 3 relative pronouns, such as "This is a pen that is big", however I could see this being used to practice any other type of grammar as well.
On the board, the ALT can also put the sentence structure to remind the kids how to make the sentence. EX: If the kids are practicing relative pronouns, they must follow this formula: 1) This is 2) subject 3) relative pronoun 4) description.
After writing the sentence, have them pass their paper to the next person. I have done this in a "kaitenzushi style" where they pass their papers in their row order. 2 rows pass their papers in a circle, conveyor belt style.
The next person to get the paper must draw a picture of the target sentence. So if someone wrote , "This is a pen that is big" The next person must draw a pen that is big. After drawing the picture, the person must fold the paper so that the top box is hidden from view. Only the drawing shows.
The third person to get the paper must make a sentence based off the drawing using the sentence structure the ALT put on the black board. After writing the sentence, fold the paper so that the drawing doesn't show, and pass it to the next person.
Continue this paper as long as there are boxes.
After finishing the last box, return the papers to the original owners and let them see how their sentences ended up. Great fun, and gets most kids involved.
When I did this, I had the kids on a 2 minute timer for each segment after helping them with the first box. The first sentence took upwards of 5 minutes to get everyone to make a sentence.
This activity is very flexible in time and content. You could play the game again on the backside if needed to fill more time, and almost any grammar point can be used here. My favorite activity I have done this semester.
Edit: I have added a ppt if someone has trouble explaining how to play! It's for a different grammar point, but I hope it gets the point across
This sounds interesting. I might use it next week for a review of 'there is' and 'there are'
I LOVE this concept. Thank you for sharing!
This went SO well in my ３年 classes!! So simple but really fun! Thanks for the idea ^^
What size of paper do you suggest using? An A4 (standard size) seems like it might be a little small! What do you suggest? Thank you!!
@LaurenKurtz97 I did use A4, although it is a little small there is enough for a small doodle. If you want some more space, you can fold it into 6 segments instead of 8. Hope it helps!
Thank you for this! It was great to see different reactions from the students. I'll definitely try this again after summer vacation.
Sorry to be that "actually" guy but 伝言ゲーム is read as でんごんげーむ denGON ge-mu.
@IbarakiOracle thanks for letting me know, wasn't sure since I got mixed results when searching it up myself. its fixed now
No worries, "gen" is indeed the more common on-yomi of that kanji. I just wouldn't want anyone to be in one of those situations where they're saying to a Japanese kid or staff "It's dengen game!" and the listener is all は？何言ってんのわかんない！