Activity

Random Writing Auction

Writing activity that can be adapted to multiple grammar points. Specific focus on encouraging students to write longer sentences.

This is a group activity. No specific worksheet is required, just some lined paper to write as many sentences as possible. I have seen variations of this activity through Altopedia but this is my own spin on it. I have not gotten the chance to use it yet, however I think it would be good for many grammar points. Later if I have the chance, I will include a powerpoint to help with explanation in the classroom.

Materials:
- timer
- grading pen
- projector
- paper for writing
- random objects, keychains/small stuffed animals

How to run it:
Ideally this would be used as a review for grammar. The students should get into groups and decide the writing order. Each student will have their own time to write sentences so only one student writes each round.

The activity will progress in rounds of 2 minutes. In that 2 minutes, one student from each group needs to write one sentence and check the grammar with the teacher. The teacher can then decide how much the sentence is worth. If it is a basic sentence, they can get 1 dollar, a little more advanced, 2, and so on. Copied sentences are not given any money. After checking the grammar, the teacher sends the student back to their table to write another sentence. They can only write one sentence at a time to prevent long lines from forming. Other students in the group will help to check their spelling and help come up with new sentences.
After the 2 minutes are up, the students can use the money that they collected during their rounds to bid for a random object that the ALT will provide. The highest bidder will get the item. The second student in each group will then be in charge of writing. Continue like this until every student gets at least 1 round to write sentences and collect money.

At the end of the money collection, the teacher will reveal how much each item is worth in points. The group with the highest collective points are the winners.

If you try this activity, please let me know how it went!

Notes:
If your students do struggle with sentence structure, I suggest writing down a simple template on the board so they can plug in different words.

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Submitted by SittingInTheCorner February 26, 2024 Estimated time: 25 mins or more

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