Activity

Animal Crossing - Giving Directions Activity

Printable villager cards, pre-made map, and build-your-own map materials for a "giving directions" speaking practice activity.

This is inspired by larimarly's "Animal Crossing - Giving Directions" activity. Really, it's meant to be an extension activity to their powerpoint presentation. This extension activity is more aimed towards JHS level, but can be adjusted to elementary school.

Materials:

1) The map for the speaking activity ~PDF~

-I made this map for JHS 1年. I thought it would be nice to try a different map after practicing with the powerpoint. It includes some more places in the JHS textbook. Also traffic lights are included in case students want to use them for directions.

2) Printable villager cards ~PDF~

-There are 30 cards. The cards have a villager asking how to get somewhere (just like the powerpoint) and also includes the starting point. They use 4 different phrases which are used in the 1年 New Horizons book. "Where is~?" "How can I get to~?" "I'm looking for~" "Please tell me the way to~"

3) Build-your-own map ~PPT file~ (in case you want to make your own map)

-credit to u/Leifsgarth from Reddit for the blank Animal Crossing map! I included all of the pieces on the following slide which you'd need to build your own map.

Other Materials (optional): Counting chips with an arrow taped on it so students don't have to use their finger on the map. A magnet to use on the projector (if you are using a projector screen for the practice part)


Instructions:

1) Start by going over the powerpoint made by larimarly together with the class as a practice! Have the students tell you the directions and follow it with your finger, or get a couple of volunteers from the class each time.
Link: https://www.altopedia.net/activities/3607-animal-crossing-giving-directions

2) Check the places on the new map (the one I made). There's a slide that has all of the places labeled. You can keep it up on the projector/TV as they do the speaking activity.

3) Half of the students get a map (you'll have to print enough for about half the class).

4) Half of the students get a villager card.

5) It's best for students with a map to stay seated so they are easier to find and it's easier to see the map. Students with a villager card have to find someone with a map to ask them for directions. The villager card says where they want to go and the starting point. They are all different!

6) Students with the map must guide students with the villager card, by only speaking. Students with the villager card should use their finger on the map as they are given directions. (I used counting chips and taped a triangle piece of paper on them so they could use that instead of their finger)

~Note: I included traffic lights in my map too (because it's in their texbook), so they can choose if they want to give instructions using the traffic lights or blocks. I may add a slide to the powerpoint with some helpful phrases for them too.

7) After they reach the goal, they must do an exchange. The person with the map gets the card, and the person with the card gets the map (so they should sit in that seat). Then they must go find/wait for another partner in reverse roles.

This way, they should be able to help various villagers and be various villagers.

Files:
Medium files (requires an account to download) -
  • Animal Crossing Map.pdf (1.18 MB)
  • build-your-own map.pptx (19.9 MB)
  • Villager Cards.pdf (2.6 MB)
  • 54
    Submitted by Celestar129 December 7, 2023 Estimated time:
    1. Mullberry December 8, 2023

      Omg I thought about doing for next year! You just saved me so much time!

    2. 2bfrank December 8, 2023

      This is incredible!!

    3. larimarly December 11, 2023

      Oh wow, I love the cards, and the idea to split up the class so that they could practice both roles! I'll definitely incorporate that the next time I do this lesson, thank you! c:

    4. nylam October 2, 2024

      Thank you so much for this! The character cards were really impactful and the students enjoyed them alot!

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