BrainStorm Game


Fun game to use in English & ESL class. No material or preparation needed.
 
To start I draw a cloud on the blackboard. Inside the cloud I write a topic for example Sports. With the class we write down as many sports as we can in five minutes. 
After I have done an example with the class I ask the students to make pairs or small groups. Take out a piece of paper, divide it into four / six parts and draw a cloud in the center of each part. 
Then pick a topic, for example food, animals, transport, sports, verbs, whatever vocabulary your studying in class, etc... Write the topic you have chosen in the cloud. I usually give the pairs / groups five minutes to write as many words as they can. While they are working check their words, ideas and spelling. Four or Six clouds = 20 or 30 minutes. An easy game for half of the class. 

Reduce the time for each cloud depending on your class. Use the other side of the page for more clouds.

Another idea is to play a song. Students write ten or more words they have heard in a cloud. Play a clip from YouTube. For example a trailer for a new movie. Write down ten or more thing they saw.
In my classes I like to ask the students to pick three or four words from each of their clouds and write a sentence with each. Some writing practice for them.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Cambridge KEY (KET) Speaking Part 2 Cards

Image
In the second part of the KET speaking exam the examiner gives the students a card with some information or some ideas for questions. Basically the students ask and answer simple questions about daily life for 3 to 4 minutes. Usually five questions and their answers. I have made 6 cards for my students to work with. Some different material to work with is always good even if they do laugh at my drawings. Download them here if you like, KETCards .  For part 1, check out this video  I made on YouTube. Please share, etc if you find them useful in your own class. Enjoy.
Read more

Have You Ever Questions

Image
30 Have you ever questions to print out for older teenagers and adults. Great activity to get your students to speak about themselves and their life experiences. Read from the printable or cut them out, put them face down and go through the questions one by one.  It's a good activity for a one to one class but more fun with a small group. Download here: Have You Ever...?    or watch on YouTube .
Read more

Past Irregular Verb Game: Battleship

Image
 Here is a fun game for your students to practice the Past Irregular Verbs. In pairs they have to sink each others ships to win the game. To shoot at a square they have to say the past form of the verb in the square. Easy. Most of your students will have played Battleship before. There are 49 verbs to practice with. For students who are learning the verbs for the first time, give them a list to work from or tell them they can use their books for help.  To make it more difficult, ask your students to spell the verb or make a sentence with the verb in the past. Either affirmative, negative or interrogative. Teach them words like HIT, MISS and SUNK beforehand. You can download here: Battleship  
Read more