Rationale
I tend to use this game towards the end of my lesson(s) teaching for & since. I find it is one of those things that the students have seen again and again and probably will again and again. It also seems to be one of those things they know but still seem to trip up when they have to use it, These language points throw up a couple of challenges for us as teachers; firstly getting over the, "I've seen this already, I know it so I don't want/need to listen to the teacher nor put any effort in," as well as finding a way to get them to getting them onboard with using it in class beyond a cursory review.
So, anyway you've done the your thing with For & Since and now would like to get them to get a bit more production in to use the language to help it stick.
Set up - before the lesson
Print off the sheet and cut it in half. One half with the questions and one half with the for & since answers stems.
Then cut the answer stems into individual cards.
You need one set for every 4 students. If making multiple copies I suggest using different colours for each set (means it's easy to separate them at the end of the lesson if they get mixed up) and laminating to make the cards last longer.
Set up - in class
With an activity like this I find showing is much better than telling. I work with classes of 8 so I simply pick one group and start playing the game with them.
Deal out the cards.
The teacher has the question sheet and asks either one of the questions on the sheet or creates their own. Note: Some of the questions are complete, some need completing and if a student wants to create their won that's great too.
Every other player answers the question but they must use one of the cards in their hand. No exceptions!
They place their card down in front of them.
The teacher (the person who asked the question) does not answer the question.
The teacher (the person who asked the question) decides who gave the best answer. That players card is then put to one side and the players who didn't win pick their cards back up.
The question sheet passes to the player to the right (or left) and the process is repeated.
I find it is useful to do two questions to show everyone how it works.
Clarify and answer any questions and then get all the groups working!
One player asks a question
Everyone else answers the question using one of their cards.
As they finish their sentence they place the card down in front of them.
The player who asked the question does not answer the question
The player who asked the question chooses who gave the best answer and that card is discarded.
The other players pick their cards back up.
The question sheet passes to the next player along.
The winner is the first person to get rid of all their cards.
Notes
As the students are playing the teacher monitors, insisting on full sentences
With a stronger class you can insist they add the why.
You can also take the for & since off the cards so they have to think a little more.
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