Archived from Englipedia.
Originally submitted by Erica Johnson on Mar 11, 2010.
Detailed Explanation
- Draw a large square grid on the blackboard. I usually make a 6-square by 7-square grid. Depending on the questions you want to review, write a letter in each square to represent a different type of question: H=How, A=Are, W=What, D=Do, etc.
- After dividing the students into two teams, have the class arrange their desks so they form two columns with each team facing each other. Each team should use a different color chalk.
- Have the two students in front play Janken (Rock, Paper, Scissors) to see who goes first. The winner asks the student directly across from them a question, for example, "Do you like dogs?". If the student can correctly ask the question, they can shade in a "D" box on the blackboard. The student directly across from him/her must answer. If they don't know the answer, they can receive help from their team. However, help must come in the form of a telephone-style game, in which his or her teammates can only whisper the answer to the person next to them. If they can't answer, then that student (or the next player on his team) loses their chance to ask a question and shade a box.
- The next two students stand up and play continues.
- Every time a team shades four squares in a row, they receive one point.
- The team with the most points at the end of the class wins.
Teaching Suggestions
- Thoroughly review the question and answer sequence before starting the game, and make sure they understand the association between letter and question word. Have the students brainstorm the different questions they know, and then practice with the students. If students have difficulty speaking, it makes for a very slow game the first time, but if you try this game in a subsequent period, usually the students will do much better the second time round.
- Encourage teams to block each other's attempts at four-in-a-row for a more interesting game.
- This game is a general review game. I used it at the end of the year to review all the questions and answers we had learned in Eigo Noto 1.
- This game can be played with classes of up to about 14 students.
Tips/Cautions
- Don't let students repeat a previously asked question. This forces all students to listen carefully.
- You might have to set a time limit for asking/answering questions. If a lot of students seem to be having trouble, stop and review again.