Who is older?
& assorted detective games

Oral communication and logic activity
(any year - see below for various versions)

10 minute version - quieter and requiring more concentration:
Split the students into pairs and give each pair the worksheet (shown right) and the list of clues (sentences) on another sheet. One student reads the clues to the other student, and they both work out the age rank and the sports. Challenge any pairs to to finish the puzzle in under 10 minutes.

35 minute version - noisier and more active:
Cut the clues onto separate pieces of paper before the class. Prior to playing playing this game, sneak around the classroom taping the sentences in strange places (e.g. under desks, in cupboards, on walls). To play the game split the class into 6 groups - each group consists of 1 leader and several reporters. Each leader is given a copy of the worksheet. The reporters must search for the clues, memorise them, and report them to the leader (who must stay rooted to their desk!). Very simple, but very good practice. Make sure that a couple of the hints are very hard to find; give one to the JTE to put inside his/her jacket, with firm instructions to only show it if students ask in english.

Class Detective
1st year - school subjects
Students have to use the clues to complete the school timetables of three students; Fumi, Tetsuya and Jiro. Clues are provided for the pair version, and also the group version (which need to be cut). Answers are here. The vocabulary before, together and between will need to be explained prior to starting.

Mr. Davis' Computer is Dead!
1st year - Megumi is washing the dishes
Students must use all 11 hints together in order to find the whereabouts of the six girls in the house, at the time of the 'murder', and solve the mystery of the computer killer. Clues are provided for the pair version, and also the group version (which need to be cut). Answers are here. The story introduction to this puzzle (top of the worksheet) makes a very easy listening exercise beforehand, and a handy way to make students jump out of their seats (by shouting BANG!!! at the top of your lungs). The vocabulary yard will need to be explained beforehand.

Who Played Golf?
1st year - Takashi didn't go swimming
Help Ms. Green locate her five absent students, and find out who dropped their English textbook on the golf course. Clues are provided for the pair version, and also the group version (which need to be cut). Answers are here. Also includes a little practice at colours.

Who Went Where?
2nd year - The hungry girl went to the park to run
Students must use the clues to find which of the five students came to school to study English (based on the 'Who played golf?' puzzle shown above). Clues are provided for the pair version, and also the group version (which need to be cut). Answers are here. The vocabulary angry will need to be explained beforehand, which should be quite fun!

Who is Older?
2nd year - Kenji is the youngest
As explained in the example detective game earlier, students need to work out the favourite sport and relative age of each character. Explain to students that they should write numbers from 1 to 6 to indicate age rank (as shown on worksheet), rather than the actual age. Clues are provided for the pair version, and also the group version (which need to be cut). Answers are here. Students might need to be reminded of vocabulary such as person and slow before starting.

Who am I?
3rd year - Japan is the place Keiko calls home
Perhaps rather too difficult if students don't have all of the hints in front of them at the same time, this puzzle involves reading the clues in order to put a name to each of the six profiles. Clues are provided for the pair version, and also the group version (which need to be cut). Answers are here. The vocabulary dessert and treasures will need to be explained prior to starting.

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