Games for large unruly classes - Page 5 - Ajarn Forum

Saint Michael · 30th January 2008, 09:11

I play a game I call word chain though I've seen it called by many other names. I divide my students into 2 or 3 teams or even boys vs girls sometimes. I write one word on the board and team one has to write the next word using the last letter of the previous word. For Prathom 4 I usually give 1 point for each word. To challenge my 5's and 6's I either give one point for each letter in the word or I have them make a sentence using the word and give out one point for each word. Makes for some rather interesting sentences. If they are wrong I show them what to correct adding or removing a word here or there. I usually won't let my students a dictionary but they can look in their notebooks or school books for words. Sometimes I throw in the no book rule to see how they do. When I give my students a choice in what game they want to play this is the one they usually choose. Especially the smarter ones. They love this game. Good luck. I love this thread as I am always looking for something new to do if my lesson plan for the day should break down. I am a new teacher and this is my first semester but already I love it. Its hard work for sure but I learn something new every week.

MikeS · 30th January 2008, 10:21

That's a good game. Would be an excellent ice-breaker too.

8ball · 30th January 2008, 10:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by trep

Just in case someone wants to try it. tuK- tong, with both syllables stressed, should do the trick.

Mai toogtong

tuk tuk : using the "t u k" spelling = 3-wheeled taxi = OK

tuk = wrong sound wen u say "correct" in Thai

toogtong hits it but

Guy Mandude · 30th January 2008, 19:31

New York City teacher's trick...

For the most unruly, worst behaved students, send them out of class to try to find a pair of "left handed scissors." They can't come back until the get a pair. You'll never see the students again. hehehe

MikeS · 31st January 2008, 08:58

I heard that done with an apprentice sent out to the storeroom for a 'left-handed screwdriver'. Nurses do the same trick with an anti-clockwise catheter.

Guy Mandude · 31st January 2008, 13:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeS

I heard that done with an apprentice sent out to the storeroom for a 'left-handed screwdriver'. Nurses do the same trick with an anti-clockwise catheter.

An unruly class of 50 is a nightmare. Get the kids focused using some fun worksheets, word games or crosswords. For Ss who complete the worksheet, give them a rubber stamp on their paper. Split the class into two teams and have the Ss race to the board to spell words or write numbers you dictate. Then, after you fill the WB with words and/or numbers, have Ss from each team race to the WB to erase a word or number you say. Keep score and make it competitive. If the kids got ants in their pants, give them activities that get them out of their seats. One great game is "change seats if..." it can be done with a class of 50.

ScorpioPower · 31st January 2008, 14:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeS

I heard that done with an apprentice sent out to the storeroom for a 'left-handed screwdriver'. Nurses do the same trick with an anti-clockwise catheter.

pubba · 14th February 2008, 19:47

And here I was thinking that 11 kids was a 'large' class. You guys in Thailand are amazing. It would be hard to go from teaching here to being thrown in front of an unruly group of 50 + kids.

I read through this thread this morning and tried some of the games. I only use games if the kids finish their set work early, and they have behaved well during the class.

Wordsnake was a big hit - specially when I dramatically started counting down from 5 when they stalled a bit.

'Draw what I say' was another favorite. Each student had a blank piece of paper. I described a monster. Eg: It has a head shaped like a strawberry. 3 eyes, one of them big and the other 2 small.. etc etc.. Great fun

I have designed a 'snakes and ladders' board game that I use for warmup. Some of the squares have a mouth icon which means the student has to answer a question. The pencil icon means they have to write a word on the board. Stars mean one more turn. The Q is for question, and all the categories are tailored to the subject of the week.

mobiiart · 16th February 2008, 13:30

Since my boss's wife has a cow when we use the copy machine to much, I have started playing more blackboard games with the kids. Here's one called "Word Battleship"....

On a pice of paper, I draw a grid of squares that is 10 x 10. Put the numbers 1 - 10 across the top, and the letters A - J down one side (outside of the grid, These are your reference points). Then, I put 15 - 25 words on the grid, putting a letter in each box. Have some of the words connect to other words, so you end up with what looks like a finished crossword puzzle, or a scrabble board.

For the kids. Draw the same grid on the blackboard, and put the letters and numbers across the top and down the side. Divide the kids into 5 or 6 groups. They take turns calling out a position, such as A-4, G-9, etc. If they square they pick has a letter in it on your sheet, then put the letter in the box on the board, and let that team guess again. If they choose a blank square, then it is the next teams turn. Once they have gotten all the letters in a word, give that team 1 point, and go to the next team. Remember to tell them when they have finished a word, or they will keep guessing forever. With my 40 P-6 and M-1 kids, this game takes about 45 minutes. They seem to really enjoy it.

Oh, 2 things...First, if the kids guess a blank square, I do NOT color it in on the board. This not only forces them to remember, but even many of the more unruly kids will keep busy by re-drawing the board on paper to keep track of this for themselves. The other thing, Put your trusted kids in charge of each group. Sweet little miss Ploy will bitch-slap any of the trouble makers if they threaten the chance of her team winning by acting up.

MikeS · 18th February 2008, 16:18

Thats very good. I think I'm going to steal the idea...

smcg · 20th March 2008, 20:28

Hi
I would be most grateful if you could email me your collection of games/activities my email is mcgheestephen@hotmail.com

thanks

Johncat]I have a collection of 57 games/activities given to my by a New Zealand lecturer who visited my school last summer. They are for all ages and levels.
They are in " Word " format I can send them to you if you wish.

[/quote]

jonny danger · 15th June 2008, 15:25

Damn do I need help with this. 70 posts here and just about none apply to me. I know plenty of games but if them demand reading, writing, or speaking more than 10 words they'll do me no good. I have P-1 and 2. Games for this level are hard to find. I've searched a plenty but when I read the words, read or write in the explanation I go clicking by. Any games you know of for non-speakers, readers, writers?

panhunger · 15th June 2008, 15:34

Password...you only need to speak one word.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonny danger

Any games you know of for non-speakers, readers, writers?

Oh, I'm sorry. You want games for monkeys. I'd like to suggest a jungle gym. Good luck! If that doesn't work, visit monkeyschool.com.

michell · 26th July 2008, 10:31

Well i used to taech littel childrens in as a house tutor and no is as cute as tehy are.Yes they like to messs it all round but that aint no problem.Try giving them art or drawings when u seem they are free , theres no child that does not like drawing thier imagination.
I am sure this would help you out..

Matthew · 26th July 2008, 21:33

^ weird and not at all convincing intentional mis-spellings and inconsistent bad english. who are you.

Anyway, I thought there was a sticky thread specifically for web-resources, just linkies of all kinds of TEFL.

Can't find it. Just post this here I guess.

This one is pretty decent:

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