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.

Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

Assalamualaikum and very good evening to my fellow readers. In this post, I have decided that I am going to select Who Wants To Be a Millionaire? as my game of choice to be done in the training session. I have selected this game because it resembles the modern day games which looks complicated but it is actually a very simple game. But first, let me tell you a little bit about this game.

This version of the game is actually based on the real game with a very simple instruction. If you answered the questions correctly, you will win the game and get your prize. Hence the name of the game. The original game consists of trivial questions which can be very random. However, in my version of Who Wants To Be a Millionaire, the game is consist of questions regarding the English language which includes Grammar, Vocabulary, Sentence structure and many more. Much like the original game, the participants will have lifelines like 50:50 answer hint, asking a friend and asking the audience. 

I choose this game to be my game of choice because this game has that modern touch that most of today's students are. They are very much hooked up with computers and what not, with this game to have the involvement of technology, the students might just be interested in playing the game. Other than that, this game is flexible and can be played in many ways. It can be played by one student at a time or many students (groups) at one time. With the game allowing the participants to have lifelines, it promotes critical thinking in decisions making and also the spirit of teamwork whenever the contestant asks for the audience or their friends for help in playing the game. 

With this post, I have also provided with the lesson plan of the game. The game has also adapted the theme of environment which is prescribed for each game. 

Title: Who Wants To Be a Millionaire? (Environment Edition)

Skills	Vocabulary, Grammar
Control	Guided
Level	Intermediate, Advanced
Time	30 minutes
Materials	Slides, Colored Cards, Chance Cards

Preparation:

·         The teacher must prepare slides for the questions with multiple choice answers.

·         Colored cards are prepared as four sets for each group. Each color represents an answer.

o   Red: A

o   Blue: B

o   Green: C

o   Yellow: D

·         Chance Cards are prepared three sets for each group

o   50:50 chance card

o   A phone a friend

o   Asking the audience

Procedure:

·         The game is divided into two stages

o   First stage involves four groups

o   Second stage involves two of the best groups in the first stage

·         First Stage

Students are divided into four groups. Each group is going to be represented by one of their members. The teacher will then show the students the question using the slides and the answers are colored the same as the colored cards. Before answering the question, each representative will be allowed to discuss with their group members in 20 seconds. After the discussion time is up, each group must come up with an answer. In this stage, only two chance cards will be allowed (50:50 chance card and Phone a friend card). As for the number questions, the first stage will consist of 10 sets of questions. To prevent the groups from copying other group’s answer, the representatives are only allowed to raise their colored answer card at the same time. Each point is given to groups that can answer most of the questions correctly. Two of the best groups with highest scores will proceed to the second stage.

·         Second Stage

Second stage is almost the same as the first stage. However, each group will be given just 15 seconds to answer each question. The third chance card (Ask the audience) will be allowed in this stage. A total of 10 sets of questions are to be prepared by the teacher. The group with the highest marks will be the winner.

·         Chance Card Rules

o   50:50 Chance Card

This card is used by each group to remove two of the incorrect answers from the table. This is valid only for groups that given the teacher their 50:50 chance card. The teacher will whisper the two options to the group so that the other groups don’t know it.

  

o   Phone a friend Chance Card

This chance card is only applicable before the representative answer the question. This is to allow the representative discuss the answer choice again with one of their group member. The discussion will only last in 20 seconds.

o   Asking the audience Chance Card

This card is only valid in the second stage of the game. When this card is used, the audience can shout out their answer to the representative. In this stage, the audiences would be the group that lost in the first stage. The audience will be allowed to shout the answer in 10 seconds.

·         Questions

The questions that are provided by the teacher will revolve around grammar and vocabulary. These questions include error analysis, synonym, antonym, and also spelling check. These questions will also include the elements of environment.

Variation:

Other than playing it as a group, this game can also be played individually. Same rules applied but the time permitted for the participants to answer is either extended or unlimited. Other than that, the chance card is also available in every level of the game.

Reference:

Adapted from the original game from medway.gov at this web address:

http://www.medway.gov.uk/docs/games_and_activities_for_primary_languages-2.doc

Snakes and Ladders

Assalamualaikum and Hello everyone,

For the training session, I have decided to choose snakes and ladders game. These days, snakes and ladders game has been considered as a worldwide classic. The game is a simple race competition based on absolute luck and it is really popular among young children in many countries. One of the reasons I choose this game is because it is easy to make from basic materials and it can also be adapted to suit many learning situation. Besides that, as our target students are primary schools students, I think snakes and ladders game is really suitable for their age. Snake and ladder game is also an interactive game and using an interactive game for children is a great way to capture their attention while practicing skills. In addition, students will also learn social skills as they play games with others, this help to build relationships among them. Using this game will also teach the students about competition, winning and losing gracefully. Since snakes and ladders is really popular all around the world, it cannot be doubt that the students will have fun while learning and this hopefully will encourage them to participate in the lesson.

I have also included the lesson plan for the snakes and ladders game that I have adapted to suits the environment theme. The lesson plan is as below;

Objective:

To enhance students' way of answering question

Skills:
Speaking

Level:
Intermediate


Duration:
30 minutes


Materials
Snake and Ladder board, Dice, Buttons


Preparation:

You need to prepare 6 snakes and ladders board that contains questions on environment and nature, dices and also different colours of buttons

Procedure:

Group work. You can divide the students into five to six groups. Each group will sit in a circle. To decide who get to start first, each student will roll one die to see who gets the highest number and whoever rolls the highest number gets to take the first turn. After the first students takes a turn, the person sitting next to the student’s left will take a turn. Play continues in a circle going left. To play the game, each student needs to throw a dice and move to the number thrown accordingly. If the student counters lands on a square that contains a question, he/her needs to answer it. If the student cannot answer the questions, he/she will miss one turn. If the student land on at the bottom of a ladder, they climb up to the top whereas if they land on the head of ta snake they need to move down the bottom of the tail. Besides that, if the students land on a square that written ‘Rest one round’, he/she will miss one round. The winner of the game is the one who lands first one the ‘Finish’ square. Teacher checks answer with students by going through all the questions on the board. Snakes and Ladder board