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Horse Race Game

Grammar or exam review game
(all years)

Materials:
(These will take a while to prepare, but can be used time and time again)

  • 6 colour marker pens, and 1 black marker pen.
  • 6 horse markers (on card and magnetised), in the same colours as the marker pens, plus 1 black 'teacher' horse.
  • 6 large sheets of card, plus 1 prepared 'black team' card (see below).
  • 15 sentences, with each word or punctuation mark written onto separate pieces of paper (as shown right).
  • 15 strong envelopes, labelled with the relevant question number (as shown right).
  • 1 winner's trophy, photocopied onto yellow paper (if you have the time).
    		• Materials preparation takes a while!
    Allowing the students to write anything other than '-COLOUR Team' will only confuse the heck out of you later!

    Explaining the game:
    By far the easiest way to explain this game to the class is to do a demonstration using the JTE as the 'black team'.

    First, split the class into 6 groups and get the JTE to hand out one blank sheet of card and one colour marker pen to each group, while you draw the horse race 'track' on the blackboard - 16 vertical lines drawn in chalk, with the first and last lines labelled Start and Win! respectively (see below). Place the 6 horse markers along the start line.

    Next, add the JTE's black horse to the start line, and give him/her the black marker and the ready-prepared card (shown left). Using the JTE's card as the example, the teams write their own colour name on their card, and the numbers 1 to 15 down the left hand side. Collect the pens.

    The JTE takes a question envelope from your desk at the front, and rushes back to the 'black team desk'. While she takes out the question, you provide commentary by explaining that the question has been cut into little pieces, and the black team needs to arrange the cards to make a full sentence. Having done that, they write the sentence in pencil on their team card (next to the relevant question number). After shuffling the question papers, they put them back in the envelope and rush up to you at the front desk, with both the card and the question envelope. If correct, you circle the sentence on their card, and they take another envelope back to their desk. For every sentence they get right, their horse jumps one line on the blackboard. Easy!

    Tips:

  • If the class is running short on time, then simply rub out a couple of lines on the board!
  • Hold back the harder sentences under the desk, until all teams are well under way.
    • Blackboard, midgame (note the black team horse used for the demo)


    End of 1st year example sentences:
    1. We come to school by bike every morning.
    2. Mr. Kuwahara is washing his car by his house.
    3. Do you know [ALT]'s last name?
    4. It looks like nice weather today.
    5. Which one is Yukiko? The tall girl with short hair.
    6. A very big black cat is on [ALT]'s head.
    7. How do you say "mokuyobi" in English?
    8. Something is wrong with me, so can you call a doctor?
    9. How many brothers and sisters does [ALT] have?
    10. Nice to meet you.
    11. Please open your books.
    12. Thank you very much.
    13. Did you go shopping with your girlfriend in Amu Plaza yesterday?
    14. When did that boy get home?
    15. He's saying, "I can't sing karaoke very well!".

    End of 2nd year example sentences:
    1. I've been a Morning Musume fan for two years.
    2. Who is the tallest teacher in this school?
    3. There is a very big black cat on [ALT]'s head.
    4. Could you show me another color, please?
    5. The English test will be difficult, if you don't study at all.
    6. Every student has to run around the baseball ground ten times.
    7. Do you think Kitty-chan is more popular than Doraemon?
    8. Sit down if I tell you to sit down!
    9. I wanted to go shopping, but I have no money.
    10. Nice to meet you.
    11. One more time, please.
    12. Thank you very much.
    13. [ALT] got some nice gifts from his nice girlfriend.
    14. I enjoy watching a movie with my boyfriend.
    15. If you want to get to school before 8:30, you must go to bed early.

    End of 3rd year example sentences:
    1. The girl playing the guitar wants to be a singer.
    2. I've been a Morning Musume fan for two weeks.
    3. The cat sitting on [ALT]'s head is very big.
    4. I don't know how to play this game!
    5. The English test will be difficult, if you don't study at all.
    6. I wanted to buy a present, but I have no money!
    7. This sentence is written by a crazy man.
    8. [ALT] got some nice gifts from her nice boyfriend.
    9. The English that I studied yesterday was easy.
    10. Nice to meet you.
    11. Did the teacher ask you to punch [ALT]?
    12. Thank you very much.
    13. If you want to get to school before 8:30, you must go to bed early.
    14. We have just finished this question.
    15. Sit down if I tell you to sit down!


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