Bang Bang - Vocabulary Game

Bang Bang – Vocabulary Games

1)   Introduction:

Assalamualaikum and evening everyone. The game that I have chosen is “Bang Bang”. Why is it called “Bang Bang” is because through the game the students have to be in a cowboy character where they will have a duel with their opponent group. Basically, this game aims to identify the students’ vocabularies. The lesson plan is as follow:

2) Objectives: 

At the end of the lesson, students should be able:

a) To enhance students’ vocabulary skill.

b) To enhance students’ thinking skill and immediate response.

3) Level: Low to Intermediate 

4) Language Skill:

a) Vocabularies

b) Speaking 

c) Listening 

5) Duration: 30 minutes

6) Materials: 

a) Flashcards, 

b) Toy Guns, 

c) Cowboy hat, 

d) Mini-Whiteboard, 

e) Whiteboard Marker.

7) Preparation:

Prepare around 30 Flashcards that are related to nature and environment such as animals, plant, and environment. Create a mini-whiteboard by laminated A4 papers.

8) Procedure:

       a) Briefing (3 minutes): 

1. Students are divided into two groups.
2. Facilitator introduces the game "Bang Bang" to the students.
3. Students are needed to sit in rows according to groups and number themselves. The student sitting in front will be number one. 
4. Facilitator explains the rules of the game to the students.

       b) Demonstration (2 minutes)

1. Facilitator demonstrates the game to the students so that the students would be clear about the game. 

       c) Playing the game (15 minutes) 

1. Facilitator explains to students that they are cowboys and they are going to be involved in a duel and each team will be given a toy gun and cowboy hat.
2. The first students from both groups will come to the front holding the toy gun and wearing the cowboy hat and facing each other. 
3. Between the students there will be a table and on top of it there are a mini whiteboard and whiteboard marker. 
4. Teacher will choose one card and say “How do you say this?” and show the flashcard to them. 
5. To answer the question the student will have to shoot their opponent first and say “Bang Bang”. 
6. Only then, the student could answer the question. If the student answers the question correctly, he/she will have to spell the answer on the mini-whiteboard. 
7. The student who has been shot will be out of the game and have to sit down. Meanwhile, the student who wins will remain standing until he/she is “killed” by other student from the opponent group. The next students from the loosing team will come to the front and play against the students who win.
8. However, if the student gives the wrong answer, then the other student will have the opportunity to shoot and say the correct answer. 
9. The game will continue until there is only one group who remain standing and this group will be the winner.

       d) Debriefing (5 minutes)

1.     Facilitator asks students on what they have learnt from the game.

2.     Facilitator summarizes the lesson from the game. 

9) Rules

1. Students have to wait for their turn to be the cowboy and the other students who are not the cowboy at the moment will have to remain silent.
2. For the correct answer 1 point will be given and for the correct spelling 2 points will be given. 

10) Comment

This game is suitable to enhance students’ vocabulary. I believe this game is appropriate as the “appetizer” for a lesson or we could say it as set induction since this game is casual and leisure where the students could prepare themselves first. Besides, I’ve chosen this game as I believe this game would be fun and interactive for primary students who are at low or intermediate level. Students nowadays are active, adventure and highly impatient and they want to be involved in what, where and how they learn. Thus, this game is suitable as it enhance students’ motor skills as it requires students to think and act fast. Moreover, in this game, the students are required to moves a lot. The students would learn better in a fun and competitive environment.

11) Reference: iTesl Journal

Prepared by Fatin Nursahira binti Saiful Azni (A12PP0025)

Cross the River!

Prepared by Nor Seha Shukor.

Hello everyone. So, in this game, the students will be required to cross an imaginary river in class while doing the activity. Here is the lesson plan:

Title: Cross the River.
Language: Describing a word by using adjectives.
Control: Guided.
Level: Low/ intermediate proficiency level of students.
Time: 20-30 minutes.
Materials: Sellotape, sticky notes and a list of vocabulary.

Preparation:

Teacher is required to prepare a list of vocabulary according to the following themes. For example, the theme of nature or environment.

1.      Autumn 2.      Butterfly 3.      Clouds 4.      Earthquake 5.      Forest 6.      Fog 7.      Leaves 8.      Mountains 9.      Moon 10.  Mushrooms 11.  Snow 12.  Tsunami 13.  Volcano 14.  Rain 15.  Deforestation

16.  Drought 17.  Flood 18.  Horses 19.  Trees 20.  Birds 21.  Sun 22.  Fruits 23.  Snakes 24.  Rivers 25.  Waterfall 26.  Fish 27.  Lion 28.  Rainbow 29.  Flowers 30.  Frogs

Prepare also sellotape to be used as the ‘river’ and sticky notes as the ‘stepping rocks’ used to cross the river.

Procedure:

Group work.

            Students are divided into two groups. There must be a same amount of students in each group. Teacher pastes the sellotape on the floor in two lines to form a river. Between the two lines, teacher pastes sticky notes in winding manner. Each of the stick note represents a stepping stone for the students to step on it and cross the river.

            Students line up in two lines according to their groups on the end of the river. One student (can be from any group) will stand on the other end of the river besides the teacher. Before the game starts, teacher has to explain the rules of the game clearly to the students.

            The game starts when the teacher whispers a word to the student beside her/him. Then, the student has to describe the word to their friends by the use of adjectives or body language. The first student from each group has to guess the word in order to cross the river. The student who manage to guess the answer can step on the rock. If both students manage to guess the answer, then both of them can step on the rocks.

            When one of the students manage to cross the river, he will be the one who give the question replacing the current student. Then, another representative from his group will take turn to cross the river. Only one student from each group can cross the river at one time. The group who finished first will win the game.

            It is crucial that the students are given the input regarding environment before playing the game so that the students are familiar with the vocabulary used.

Title: The Four-Letter Words

Skills: Vocabulary mastery (Environment Theme)

Control: Free

Level: Any level

Time: 30 minutes

Preparation:

You may like to prepare chocolates or candies like M&M’s, NIPS or Mentos and a list of 4-letter vocabulary of different genres (verbs, adjectives, and nouns).

Procedure:

Group work.

The students will be divided into groups of 4 or 5. Each member will be given some amount of chocolates/candies (random mixed colours). You will give code to every colour of the chocolates/candies for a word class.

For example:

Blue – Verb

Red – Adjectives

Yellow - Nouns

Every group will be given a word consists of four letters (related to environment) by drawing lots (from the list of four-letter words you have prepared). Each member in the group will take turn to generate a new word by replacing one letter. Only one letter can be changed at a time but not at the same place consecutively.

For example;  

Teacher: ROPE

Student 1: COPE (blue)

Student 2: COPY (blue/yellow)

Every word generated by the student will get one candy/chocolate based on the colour coded word. Students should make a word with the colours of chocolates/candies they have so that they can have them. Students who are able to make words related to the theme of environment will be awarded triple candies/chocolates instead.

Variation:

The time has to be set for 30-45 seconds for each member so that the member who can make the most words will be chosen as a winner after 5-10 minutes of the game. Also, if the student takes more than the time given, he will lose his turn. Students can change the group and start over using different four-letter words after 10 minutes.

References

Juarez, P. O. (2001). ‘Four-Letter Words’. The Internet TESL Journal: http://iteslj.org/games/9928.html

Comments:

I chose the 4-letter word game because it is flexible to be played regardless of the students' level. Also, I believe that it's important for the students to realize that a word can be changed endlessly by just one letter different. This might make them think again when they thought English is hard. Of course, the candies and chocolates are to motivate them to gain more after every achievement.

Prepared by:
Siti Nur Fadhilah binti Zulkaply
A11PP0034

Story Train

I am Eng Yi Fong. 

I have chosen the game ‘Story Train’ for the training session because I feel that this game is simple and suitable in making students practice constructing simple sentences. I also think that this game is appropriate as it actually provides an opportunity for students to display their creativity in constructing sentences using different words to form a story. Besides that, it is done in an interesting way where the students have to remember and say aloud the sentences constructed by the previous students correctly before continuing the story. Hence, this actually helps students in developing coherent idea that links the story. Besides that, this game also boosts the creativity and thinking of students to construct sentences as they try to continue the story. This can be fun as the students might come up with sentences that form an interesting and funny story. This will make the learning process lively and enjoyable. Hence, I would say that this game is indeed fun and suitable for students.

I have included the lesson plan for ‘Story Train’ designed for the theme environment or nature as shown below.

Title           :  Story Train

Language  : Creating story by constructing sentences

Skills          : Listening and speaking

Control      : Free

Level          : All

Time           : 30 minutes

Materials    : Paper, container

Preparation:

Prepare blank papers to be distributed to each student. Prepare empty container according to the number of groups.

Procedure :

1.      Each group of students is required to sit in a circle and given a paper each. An empty container will be given to each group too.

2.      Each student is required to write a word on the piece of paper and not allowed to show anyone. This word should be a word related to nature (eg river, animal, flowers etc).

3.       For each group, all of the students’ paper will be folded and placed in the container.

4.      A student in the group will have to draw a paper randomly from the container and start telling a story by constructing a sentence using the word he/she selected.

5.      Then the student next to him will have to draw another paper and continues the story by constructing another sentence using that word. However, this student who continues the story will have to repeat the previous students’ sentence correctly and then continues to his sentence.

6.      If he fails to repeat the story from the beginning, he is eliminated.

7.      The story continues in the circle and the last student has to end the story.

Sentence Relay

Good evening everyone, this is Chang Jia Jen. I'm using Yi Fong's account to post my lesson plan and my comment because i do not have my own account yet. So this is my game lesson plan. Basically about constructing sentences. 

Title: Sentence Relay

 Language: Constructing sentences related to environment verbally based on students’ vocabulary and grammar knowledge

Skills: Speaking

Control: Free

Level: Intermediate and Advanced

Time: 30 minutes

Materials: Projector, LCD and PowerPoint slides

Preparation: Write a word using PowerPoint. Every words should be separately typed in each of the slides.

Procedure:

Arrange the students into several groups. Each group should consist of eight to ten students. Every group is required to form a circle. In each circle, assign a student randomly to be the captain of the group. Display a word to all students by using projector. The captain in each group will build a sentence by using the word given as the first word of the sentence. The sentence must be constructed using at least four words. Then, the next student will start a new sentence using the last word of the previous sentence constructed by the captain as the first word of the new sentence. The steps will be repeated until the last person of the group. The turns taking sequence will be in a clockwise pattern in the circles. The first group that complete the round is the winner. On the next round, another student will be selected as the new captain in every group.

Example: The word given is “clean”

First Person (Captain): Clean the aquarium now to save the fish!

Second Person: Fish lives under water.

Third Person: Water in the river is dirty because it is polluted.

Fourth Person: (continue)…………….

Note: Some words that end a sentence cannot be used to start a sentence. It has to be replace with another word that has the same definition to ensure that the sentence is grammatically correct.

Example: Provided that if the last word of the sentence is ‘him’. The next person will have to start the sentence using the word ‘he’ because starting the sentence with the word ‘him’ is grammatically incorrect.

Variation: None

Acknowledgement/references: None

Comment:

This game is selected primarily to enhance students’ vocabulary and grammar knowledge. To enhance vocabulary knowledge, students will be asked to use the last word in the previous sentence to start a new sentence. Through constructing the sentence, students are able to understand more on the definition of the particular word used because they can use the word to construct a sentence which is relevant to the context of the word. Thus, it enhances students’ knowledge on vocabulary. As for the grammar, students are required to construct sentences with at least four words. Therefore, students can polish their skills on SVO structure. The reason that I chose this game is because I find this game quite challenging and interesting. First, it require students to understand the meaning of the word, only then, they can construct a sentence using the word given. The most challenging part is the word has to be the first word of the sentence. And also, it is suitable for their age because this is their right time to learn constructing sentences. 

Title: Word String

Skills: Vocabulary mastery

Control: Free

Level: Intermediate

Theme: Nature or Green Environment

Time: 30 minutes

Preparation:

You may like to prepare some list of vocabulary related to the theme above that could assist the students if they are in a blank situation. A form of reward can also be prepared to motivate the students to play this game actively. 

Procedure:

Pair work.

            The students will be divided into pairs. Each of the pairs will compete with each other by continuing a new word from the final letter of the word given by the first pair. All the words must be related to theme of nature or green environment.

For example;   lake à earth à haze à earthquake

The pair who does not say a word or repeating the same word will be disqualified from the game. The last remaining pair will be the winner of the game.

Variation:

Rules can be given out as the number of pairs reduces to make the game more challenging for the students. For instance, you can increase the number of letters in a word from 5 letters to 8 letters or selecting different categories of word for each round.

References:

Koprowski, M. 2006. ‘Ten Good Games for Recycling Vocabulary’. The Internet TESL Journal: 12/7. 

Comments

As the name of the game goes, this game focuses on the learners' vocabulary skills. Personally, I believe that by having wide knowledge and mastery in vocabulary, learners are actually one step ahead in their language competency. Apart from that, this game also requires the learners to think on the spot, quickly; according to a specific theme (in this case, environment and green nature). Having given the natural characteristic of a young learner, they will become very competitive as to not lose to their other friends when their turn comes. The learners can also expand their vocabulary field by listening to their friends' answer and eventually learn and acquire new words. 

Endless Story

Endless Story

Hello everyone! Let's teach the students to think fast and be creative! Have fun :)

Objectives: 

• To enable the students to practice their speaking skill.
• To enhance students' thinking skills in giving immediate feedback and response.

Skill:

• Speaking
• Listening

Level: 

• Intermediate

Duration: 

• 30 minutes

Materials: 

• Papers 
• Pen
• Box

Preparation: 

Before the game started, the facilitators have to write a few themes about environment (Example: pollution, water conservation, mother nature) for the endless story on a small piece of paper. Fold the written papers and put it in a small box.

Procedure: 

Demonstration (5 minutes)

• The students are divided into groups of three or four. 
• One or two facilitators are assigned to give demonstration for each group. 
• The facilitators briefly explain the rules of the game and practice with the students before the actual game started. 

Playing the game (20 minutes) 

• The facilitators ask the students at the front of the line to take a piece of small paper from the box. 
• That student will inform the other group member the topic about the environment that they get from the draw. 
• Each group are given two minutes to discuss the storyline and each one of the group member can only give three sentences about the topic. 
• The first group stand in front of the class. Meanwhile, the remaining group will be the audience. 
• The first student on line will start telling out their story. 
• The next group member must immediately continue the story. 
• The games continues until each group have completely telling out their story. 
• At the end of the game, teacher sums up the marks collected by each group and announces the winner of the endless story game.  

Debriefing (5 minutes)

The facilitators ask the students what they have learnt through out the game. 

Rules:     

If one of the group members fail to give immediate feedback, they have to start the story again. They can be creative in creating out the story about the environment to make it become interesting.   Marks will be deducted for any incomplete or incorrect sentences given by the students. 

Comment: 

This game is fun and interesting because each student will have chances to give out their own ideas in constructing sentences through speaking. Students can enhance their speaking skill which at the same time increase their motivation to speak in English. This game is suitable for intermediate learner because they have been exposed to the basic skill in speaking. Apart from that, this game can be conducted outside of the classroom which might increase students' attention to participate well in the game. 

Password

Good evening everyone, the game that I choose is “Password”. It is a simple game that enhances students’ vocabulary, thinking skills, listening skills, memories and speaking skills. One of the reasons I choose this game is because it is easy to play and it does not has limit the number of the player. As our target students are primary schools students, I think this game is really suitable for their age.

I have also included the lesson plan for Password game that I have adapted to suits the environment theme. The lesson plan is as below:

Password

Language: Category the noun about environment in the group.

Skills: All the skills, based on listening and speaking

Control: Free

Level: all

Time: 30 minutes

Material: paper and pen

Preparation: None

Procedure:  Group work. One of the members in the group writes a thing (object) related to the environment according to the instruction. For example, he or she will write the name of the flower on the paper and it is a secret or calls it as password. Everyone in the group include the people who know the password will take turn say the name of the flower such as “ I am thinking of  …”. The person who can guess the password will lose in the game. The winner will be the last person in the group who never lose. Besides flower, there are some question such as please give the name of the animal that can fly, the name of the fruit, the things can be found in the field, and others.

Noun Alphabet Relay

Assalamualaikum and greetings everyone! Here is a lesson plan of the game I have chosen to do, that is the Noun Alphabet Relay.

Objectives: 

1. To enable students to broaden their vocabulary according to the theme given,
2. To enable students to work in groups to brainstorm for ideas.

Skills:

Writing (Vocabulary)

Level:

Intermediate

Duration:

30 minutes

Materials;

1. Marker pen 
2. Whiteboard

Procedure:

Demonstration (5 minutes)

1. The students are divided into groups consisting of four to six members.
2. The groups are assigned one or two facilitators to demonstrate the game to them.
3. The facilitators briefed the students on the rules of the game.
4. The students play a practice version of the game with the facilitators.

Playing the game (20 minutes)

1. The students that have been divided into groups are seated with their own group mates.
2. The facilitators will write all the alphabets on the whiteboard, and the game will start when all of the groups are ready.
3. The groups are expected to come up with a noun related to environment that starts with any alphabet written on the whiteboard and they are given two minutes to come up with the words for each turn,
4. One representative of the group will come up to the front and write the noun of their choosing, and erases the alphabet they have chosen from the whiteboard,
5. The game goes on until a group can't think of a noun that starts with the remaining alphabets. The group will then be disqualified.
6. The last group that is still not disqualified by the end of the game wins.

Debriefing (5 minutes)

1. The facilitators will ask the students have learned from the game and what are any new vocabularies they have learnt from the game, if any.

Comment:

This game is chosen primarily to enhance the vocabulary of the students. This is because for primary students, their vocabulary repertoire is still growing and the game is perfect to contribute in building up their vocabulary in a fun manner. Aside from that, the game is designed to let the students have the chance to work in a group, in which they might not have much chance to be part of in their educational setting. This game also trains them to work under pressure, in which they are given time limits to come up with a coherent answer. This can improve their cooperation in the groups they are in, The facilitator/ teacher can increase or decrease the time limit according to the level proficiency of the students.