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 Flashcard Police Submitted by: Kirsten Phillips Borrowed from or inspired by: N/A Date added: 02/04/08
Outline: An engaging strategy for practicing tedious memorization. An alternative to the “read-and-repeat”, it works best with younger students but can be altered for older students. Teaching Suggestions: Procedure: - It is best to go over each flashcard with the class first to ensure students know the correct pronunciation. I like to practice the words using various funny voices to keep the class amused. It’s a bit boring maybe but the quicker it gets done, the quicker you can move on to the game.
- After the review, I tell the class that now they are all policemen. At least one student should know what that means but if not, have the HRT translate. Then, put on an evil face, rub your hands deviously and proclaim that you are a robber. Even 1st graders will understand this if you ham it up right.
- Place all the flashcards on the blackboard with magnets and tell the kids to either close their eyes or face the opposite direction. For some classes, I have them do both. Have the JTE on hand to watch any cheaters. Announce in an evil voice that a robber is in the room. This’ll really get the kids in a lather; some of the girls may even exclaim ‘kowai!’ Cackling fiendishly, remove 2 or 3 cards from the board (I try to filch 2 easy cards and 1 hard). Place these “stolen” cards on the floor.
- Shuffle the remaining cards on the blackboard to addle the sharp kids who remember cards by place order. Then start wailing and moaning dramatically, arms flailing. “Help! Help! Police! Help me!” and this will be the signal for the kids to turn around. Have the “cops” raise their hands individually to “find” the missing cards. When a kid says a word, stick that card back on the board and make a big show of relief and thanks to the mini copper for saving the day. Play 3 or 4 rounds like this, removing more cards as you go, to ensure all get a chance to answer. After 3 rounds, you can select two volunteer “robbers” from the class by calling out random numbers (in English of course). Try to get at least 2 boy robbers and 2 girl robbers to play fair. My classes were so into it, I had to calm the kids down between rounds. This game catches on lightening quick and shouldn’t take longer than 15 minutes for everyone to get a chance to answer.
Variations: For junior high school students, you can make flashcards to build sentences and then remove sections of the sentence. For older kids, add more cards to up the ante.
Cautions: Try to use as much simple English as possible when playing this game! It’s so simple that I also use it to get kids accustomed to game instructions like “close eyes”, “help me” or “face the back”. If they really don’t get it, your JTE should be ready to explain . I tried this game with 2nd graders and didn’t need a word of Japanese. This game can get very loud and genki, especially if you ham things up. Use whatever improv skills you have to make the tension high and the rounds more exciting. Unless they’re exhausted, your students should eat it up!
Attachments: None
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