When looking for class games, which are always the best ways to simulate and stimulate conversion in class, I’m always looking at what games the kids are playing anyway then just flip it into English!

So in Japan at New Years, the game of Fukuwarai is really popular.   And …. it just so happens to be a fantastic way to teach directions & face parts!

1. On the board (or floor!) draw a featureless face & cut out some appropriate body parts e.g. eyes, nose, eyebrows etc.

2. One student puts on the blindfold.

3. They choose one body part at random (have them spread out on a desk)

4. They hold it up and ask the other kids “What’s this?” The other kids answer in English!

5. They then face the blackboard, attempting to stick the part onto the face (magnets on the back are great if you have a magnetic board!)

6. The other kids guide the player by shouting out “Left, right, up, down” etc. if any kids use the local language they have to out their hand on their mouth and keep quiet for this round!  English only in the game!

7. The player sticks the face part onto the face.

8. Repeat from step 3 with the next child.

9. Admire the work of art you have created!!

The kids love it – especially when it turns out all strange and weird! 🙂

In Japan most schools have a set of “Fukuwarai” pieces, usually including 2 eyes, 2 ears, 2 eyebrows, a nose, a mouth and some hair! And of course you could always make your own.

Lesson Plan

As always with Genki English we keep it really simple with the 1,2,3 lesson plan!

1. Warm up & Review with the Secret Warm Up – if you’ve done Left and Right or Make a Face already, be sure to review these today!
2. Introduce the new vocab with the songs Left and Right” & Make a Face if you haven’t done them yet or North, South, East & West if you fancy a challenge!
3. Use the language to play the Fukuwarai game above!

Ninja Tip:  Be flexible.  This is for a 45 minute lesson with 15 to 20 minutes each for part 2 and 3 and part one taking between 5 and 10 minutes depending on how far you are through the curriculum. You can of course split it in two if you have less time per lesson!

Ninja Tip 2:  If you’re in Japan, your Japanese teacher may not have confidence in the kids’ English ability (this happens too often!), and may insist that you do the game in Japanese. Whilst this does have a meaning (it teaches them about Japanese customs), it’s has much more educational value for us if it is done in English!! The kids can do it and love it!!

And of course, you don’t have to be in Japan to enjoy this game – kids everywhere love it!!

If you want more amazing games like this, you get access to the full VIP collection when you order the Teacher’s Set – which has a fantastic “Expansion Pack” offer on this week!