My kids could play ATW in every lesson!
Richard wrote in to ask:
I would like to know if it is good to repeat games.
A very good question!
In the lesson plans I introduce a new game for each lesson and I very rarely repeat them. The aim of this is to give you all some variety and get you used to trying new ideas, out of which you’ll have your favourites to use for new topics.
So it’s not bad at all to repeat games, after all we use the same computer game for each topic. But I’d always recommend trying new ones every now and again just to get your own ideas going and make sure *you* don’t get bored with the class! 🙂
Ninja Tip: *Kids* never get bored of the same game *if* the target English is just right. It’s the English that always gives the challenge, so if they are saying it’s boring, what they are really saying is either a) the target English is too easy or b) they don’t understand what is going on! Remember Flappy Bird, it’s the difficulty that keeps you coming back for more!
Be genki,
Richard
P.S. If you have any questions you’d like me to answer, just ask away on this page!
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Yeah,
I completely agree. And the bigger the classes the more this is true. I guess because there are more varieties and happenings with more students so it never gets really boring.
Kids feel safe if they know what happens and the teacher also spares a lot of explanation time.
BTW, my request:
Is there a video anywhere of the ATW game.
I’ve been wanting to try this for ages, but I don’t really get it.
Remind me when we do the workshops, I’ll video it then! 🙂
I tend to repeat games a lot as the students seem to prefer feeling comfortable with them. Use games in which the language is interchangeable. Currently Im playing naughts and crosses, but before they get their turn they have to review a vocabulary set. Easy and effective
Repeating games has a lot of value. Like others have written, once students know the game they can focus on the language. Otherwise you are trying to teach them the rules of the game and the langauge at the same time.
Games of chance like RPS can be used again and again and students will not tire of it. It is also way of keeping all levels of students engaged
Varying the level of English is one way of keeping it exciting.
I also keep the English the same, but vary the difficulty of the game.
For example the timed race is a wonderful way of motivating students in a very short span of time. Trying to beat their time works wonders. If you do it with pairs, it also helps students to take responsibility for their own learning.
I do some hand game/gestures that have been fun.
Make pairs and do the hand games, do it with one hand, change hands, do it with eyes closed, in two circles and change partners etc.
With any game though, it is important for the teacher to know the value and the purpose. It shouldn’t just be for entertainment or time-filling purposes.
There are some games that are so much fun for the kids that it is hard not to repeat them. The upside to this is that the kids end up practicing the words and phrases more because they’re really into the game and are eager to participate. And because the kids are familiar with the game, you can cut down on explanation time and the children feel more confident about what they’re doing and can focus on the language more.
Having said that, you still need to space it out with other activities so you don’t inadvertently do the game to death.
I think it is best to do lots of variations of games. That way the kids have something that they know and feel comfortable with that they can hang onto. They also have something new and interesting. This week my class played musical chairs 3 times. The first time was the more traditional way. The second time they had to take their shoes off and put them under their chairs. They had to put on their shoes and then sit down on their chairs. We were studying a unit about clothes. The third time, we played for a phonics class. If the teacher stopped the music and said a Kk word, the kids had to sit on the floor. If I said an Ll word, they had to sit on their chairs. If I said a n Mm word, they had to stand on their chairs.
I’m always trying to introduce new games, because I’m worried the kids will get upset (and they have) about playing the same game again and again, and I’m hoping to land on a game the kids love. My rotation of games consist of a Conversation Card Game (need a catchier name for this): kids get mini-cards and then walk around ask the question, answer, and then RPS with the winner getting the loser’s card; Karuta; and Leapfrog (freshly introduced and finally the kids are getting it.)