A Mario-themed Snakes and Ladders board game that can be used at all Junior High School levels.
Materials:
- ～10 Dice
- ～40 Unique Player Chips
Preparation:
1) - Print and laminate ～10 copies each of both the Game Board and Game Rules
2) - Double-side print ～10 copies of of the Question Cards printout (OR use the textbook glossary OR create your own using custom grammar)
4) - Gather ～10 dice, ～40 "player chips" to represent players on the board (I used colorful clothing buttons from DAISO)
Lesson:
- The game rules are included on the Game Rules printout. It is best to move students desks into groups of 4. The key here is to ensure that they are properly using the question cards when they land on a 「？」box and practicing grammar or vocabulary, as being able to answer questions correctly gives each player a potential advantage.
- I would prefer if the game ended when the first player reaches the castle (which is the final space)... but if left on their own, Japanese students seem to lean towards everyone reaching the finish before the next round.
- I implemented the "if you roll past the finish, you go back that many spaces backward" rule. It's fun to casually mention this rule to them a little while after the game has started. This activity can get very loud, please be noted.
- I'm including Question Cards files for both 1年生 and ３年生, haven't done 2年生 set. Both of these files use vocabulary from their respective New Crown textbooks.
- UPDATE* I just did this again a few days ago and instead of using cards, had the other students in the group simply choose Japanese phrases from the textbook glossary to be translated. Went well and way easier than printing/cutting.
- Originally had this as 4/5 enjoyability but yeah this is a 5/5.
Grammar - ANY
Preparation Time - 1 - 2H
Explanation Difficulty - MEDIUM
Volume - LOUD
Enjoyability - 5/5