Activity

I watched TV past simple

A "Who Dunnit" game that has students asking other students what they were doing recently.

First, the teacher cuts out the identity cards and hands them out to the students. Then the students put their desks together so that they face each other. In a typical Japanese classroom of over 30 students, this will have three rows of 10 to 12 people who face each other. The teacher then hands out the attached worksheet to the students. The students then, in turns, ask their partner accross from them 3 questions to determine who used the toothbrush. The person answering will use the identity card that they received to provide the information. After students receive an answer, one side stands up and moves up or down one space, and after everyone receives all 5 answers, students can determine whose aliby is a lie, and reveal who was using their toothbrush in the morning. The 5 lines at the end are for students to write the 5 sentences in full.

4
Submitted by kentstray February 4, 2019 Estimated time: 15-20 minutes
  1. UonumaRobert February 19, 2020

    This a variation on the Alibi game. Rather than freely mingle they stayed in their rows and moved one forward after each interview. Works well for classes that have issues. To help the students understand and get into I'd really play up the drama. Maybe start with smaller example with three characters drawn on the board. Say to the teacher 'Somebody drank my coffee' and then point and say it was one of them.

  2. UonumaRobert February 19, 2020

    Then ask the teacher the three questions about each character. Two answer that they did something together and third says he did something with one of the others but it doesn't match up. Then ask the class who did it. Also to play up the fun I'd bring in an empty coffee cup and an old toothbrush to use as props.

  3. UonumaRobert February 19, 2020

    Although in truth I haven't done the Alibi game in years. It can be very interesting but it's hard to set up especially if you haven't had a good meeting with your team teacher. Also there are always a fair number of students who won't be able to read the sentences on the cards.

  4. OdafromTaijima February 19, 2020

    Thank you for the clarifications!

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