Archived from Englipedia.
Originally submitted by Carlee Miller on April 4, 2010.
Students get into pairs or groups, depending on class size. Each pair/group receives a worksheet.
Explain the basis of the worksheet. Each sentence can earn points based on content as follows:
- If it is a complete sentence (subject+object+verb) = 1 point
- If it is a question and the ALT's answer is "yes" = 1 point
- If they use an irregular verb (swim-->swam) correctly = 1 point
- If they add in a time-related phrase (last night, this morning, yesterday, etc) = 1 point
Any sentence that another group has already said receives no points. You can decide how literal to be about this, as some students will try to alter a sentence already said by another team by one word to still try to get points.
Because the students are aiming for points, they'll want to make as complex of a sentence/question as they can and also try to make it original, since they can't get points if another team says it.
Give the students 5-7 minutes, based on class ability, to make ten sentences/questions. At the end of the preparation time, have each group take turns reading out their sentences. You can have them janken to see which group goes first. For example, Group 1 reads their first sentence and then Group 2 reads their first sentence, and so on.
Whichever team has the most points at the end of the rounds wins.
VARIATIONS:
You could add in a bizarre-ness element. If a sentence is really funny and makes the ALT laugh, that could be worth an additional point.
This is a great activity for getting your students to use English in a creative way.
I changed some of the rules to make it a bit easier for my first year students.
Statements using past tense = 2 points (I studied English yesterday).
Questions with a yes answer = 3 points, no answer = 1 point (Did you study English yesterday?).
Funny or interesting question = 1 bonus point.
Make sure you let your JTE answer some of the questions too!