Submitted by: Stacia Wagner Borrowed or Inspired from: Joetsu city’s ALT idea book
Brief Outline: Using a map and clue cards, students give directions, write directions, and work in groups to find the hidden treasure within a fictional city.
Materials Needed:
- A fictional city map (see attachment below or use a map that resembles your school’s town)
- Clue cards
- Worksheet that accompanies the activity
Preparation before Activity:
Make clue cards. For example, “I have a stomachache! Could you tell me the way to a doctor?” Depending on how long you would like the activity to run, make the proper amount of clue cards. About four clues permitted the activity to go for about 30 minutes. This time includes explanation. I used previous grammar points in the clues to help students use and practice what they have already learned.
Make a map with places students know and recognize, or use the attachment below.
Use the worksheet below or create your own. The worksheet should focus on students having to write the directions that they give to the ALT/JTE. By having a worksheet, it enables all students to have concrete evidence and a worksheet from which they can review the activity.
Detailed Explanation:
- Explain or review the grammar points on pages 64-65. The ALT/JTE should focus on: “Could you tell me ~ ?” and “Go down this street. Turn left/right at the ~ . It’s on your left/right.”
- Pass out the city maps and practice the targeted grammar as a class to work on speaking skills as well as letting students have time to get acclimated with the map.
- Distribute the worksheet to each student. Review the expectations of what you would like to see on the worksheet.
- Have students decide their order within the group. The first student from each group comes to either the ALT/JTE to receive the first clue.
- Start the game. The first team to finish with all four clues and can tell the ALT/JTE the location of the treasure is the winner. Provide extra time for all of the groups to finish.
- Review the activity and grammar point.
- The clues for the teachers to use:
- I have a stomachache. Could you tell me the way to a doctor?
- I’m hungry! Could you tell me the way to a place to eat?
- Could you tell me the way to the place we go on New Year’s Eve?
- I wrote a letter to my mom. Could you tell me where I can buy a stamp?
- The location of the treasure:
- Go down this street and turn right at the third (3rd) traffic light. Go down that street and turn right at the first traffic light (1st). It’s on your right. What is it?
Tips or Cautions:
- If you want to focus on speaking, listening, writing, and reading, be sure to monitor the groups to ensure they are working as teams and all of the students are writing down the directions after each clue. Also, I like to remind my students each clue must be given to a different group member.
Attachments:
