Originally submitted by Kirsten Phillips
Flashcards not included.
It is best to go over each flashcard with the class first to ensure students know the correct pronunciation.
After the review, I tell the class that now they are all policemen.
•At least one student should know what that means but if not, have the HRT translate.
•Then, put on an evil face, rub your hands deviously and proclaim that you are a robber. Even 1st graders will understand this if you ham it up right.
•Place all the flashcards on the blackboard with magnets and tell the students to either close their eyes or face the opposite direction. For some classes, I have them do both.
•Have the JTE on hand to look for cheats. Announce in an evil voice that a robber is in the room. This’ll really get the students in a lather; with some of the girls even exclaiming ‘Kowai!’ Cackling fiendishly, remove two or three cards from the board (I try to filch two easy cards and one hard).
•Place these “stolen” cards on the floor.
•Shuffle the remaining cards on the blackboard to addle the sharp students who remember cards by place order.
•Then start wailing and moaning dramatically, arms flailing. “Help! Help! Police! Help me!” and this will be the signal for the students to turn around. •Have the “cops” raise their hands individually to “find” the missing cards.
•When a student says a word, stick that card back on the board and make a big show of relief and thanks to the mini copper for saving the day.
•Play three or four rounds like this; removing more cards each time to ensure all students get a chance to answer.
•After three rounds, you can select two volunteer “robbers” from the class by calling out random numbers. Try to get at least two boy robbers and two girl robbers to play fair.
My classes were so into it, I had to calm the students down between rounds. This game catches on lightening quick and shouldn’t take longer than 15 minutes for everyone to get a chance to answer.