Lisa over at Mama Lisa’s World Blog has responded to my request to post a call for pool games from around the world. So far, one response has come in–a game called Sharks and Minnows, which I actually remember playing as a child. It got me thinking about some possible uses for such games in the classroom.
Marco Polo – You could simply take two vocab words, (opposites would work well) and replace "Marco" and "Polo" with them then play the game the same way as in the water. One player is "Marco" and has to shout a selected vocab word and the other players respond with "polo" or their selected vocab word. The person who is it, must then find and tag the other players while their eyes are closed.
Sharks and Minnows – Simple-one player is the shark at one end of the room, and the rest of the players are minnows. The minnows must get to the other side of the room without being caught by the shark. Last minnow to be caught is the next shark. (Providing they can answer a question or name a vocab item in English) (Thanks to Robin for reminding me of Sharks and Minnows)
Hen Rooster Chicken Duck – This one could be fun using different animal vocab. Have the students hold hands in a circle and step around as you say HEN, ROOSTER CHICKEN DUCK. On duck, all the students fall to the ground. If they are too late, they are out. Could make it interesting by saying an unrelated word on the fourth word (i.e. hen rooster chicken CAR!) If the students fall to the ground on a word that isn’t one of the related words, they are also out. Great listening activity. But definitely for older students…
Thanks Lisa!
