But frankly - it �s not so much about which games you play, or that they �re elaborate and technically attractive, it �s more about the humour we use while discussing the games, and definitely about the rewards offered afterwards ( �bribes �) - my teenagers will try so hard for a reward, as long as it �s not just an A in the extra credit column! They love stickers (go figure!), chocolates, getting the chance to choose the next game we �ll play, and lately getting folders or notepads has become their thing - we have some folders with the school logo and they love getting that to keep their ws copies in and boast about every time they pull it out... Vanity can be a huge motivator, but with your work experience, you know that, right?

And another thing I always find useful. Preparing a ppt with mistakes in it - once they see stuff written in huge, bold letters on the wall, they notice them immediately. They love finding other people �s mistakes, and this reminds them when they use certain phrases to be careful not to repeat the mistake which was so obivous on the wall of the classroom...

If you like, let me know and I will send you a copy.  I have a copy of one with my printables.

There is also a game called Wordup on the net which is fun and you can get free samples.

I use a ready made game for this, that someone gave as present to my children. I can �t find a link to show you, but it �s easy to make your own version. 

Make and print nice and big colourful pictures of things like: animals, things we can eat or drink, various everyday objects. A student comes to the board and you pin a random picture on the board behind him/her with an arrow pointing down at the kid. The student must not see the picture of course. Then he/she must ask questions to find "what he/she is". The other students answer the questions. 

Questions that will be produced include: Am i alive? Am I an object? Where can you find me? What can you do with me? What colour am I? What sound do I make? and so on. If your students are not confident enough to make the questions, you can prepare a sheet with some ready questions to give them a start.  

It �s a fun game, my students always enjoy it. You can also use a timer to make it more challenging. 

Edit: actually, there is no real need to prepare pictures for this, just write the word on the board. To avoid ambiguity you can even write the translation nexto to it.  Zero preparation! I have the pix anyway so I use them. It adds to the fun of the game to have visuals, but it�s not necessary.

I �ll use most of the ideas, some I �ll adapt to turn into one and will give you feedback later.

 

Now, I �m going to prepare the suggested activities (cards, pictues, jeopardy, etc.)

 

Many, many thanks and have a great weekend!

 

Zailda