The ‘circle’ hot potato game.

 

Name: The ‘circle’ hot potato game.
Subject:		Vocabulary or simple structures.
Richard’s comments:		For those who don’t like the idea of a ‘bomb game’ we have a hot potato. Keep it under control and it will pay dividends.
Group size:		The magic number is eight maximum. You really want three or four minimum to make a game of it.
Team teaching game?		The supervisor is in control of the ‘hot potato’ but one supervisor should be enough.
Materials:		Vocabulary cards. Something soft that you can throw as the ‘hot potato’. Timer. Points and point cups.
Game set up:		Play in teams or individually. Put the cards in a circle. Go through the vocabulary as you do so. Each student stands behind a vocabulary card.
Playing rules:	Set the timer for 30-40 seconds.  (Play a practice round without the timer to get a feel for the game) Press start on the timer and throw the ‘potato’ to one of the students. Say the vocabulary or sentence structure and return the potato to the center. (Wild throws are collected by the thrower. The potato is still in their position until it is safely passed.) Every time the ‘potato’ is returned to the center everyone moves one card clockwise round the circle. When the timer goes off, the point is awarded to the team without the ‘potato’. If the potato is in the center, both teams get a point.
Variations:	When students can’t be trusted throwing things, I have a version without the potato where the teacher has prompt cards (Matching the vocabulary cards) in place of the ‘hot potato’. Just ask the question using a prompt card and the student standing by the matching card must answer. When the answer is correct the teacher says ‘go’ the student’s turn is over and the students move round.