Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sulperman]

So what do you think?

I've done it twice with my middle school first graders since September, and I am very tempted to do it one more time, as it is a good fit for the lesson, and it is a guaranteed winner. Plus, somebody made a nice one on MOD EDIT so I wouldn't have to do any thinking about what to do, which hurts my head.

So what do you think? Anybody do it every class? Anybody think even twice a semester is too many?

[ThingsComeAround]

once every two-three weeks is fine

[jonpurdy]

I love bomb games. I do one per book lesson (which is four periods). So once every two weeks or so.

[Fishead soup]

I use a variety BOMB game Baam game, Mario. Aliens and Robots, Karaoke song , youtube video I like to mix it up.

I play lots of games and still have time for kill and drill.

[Kaypea]

I just try not to have 2 bomb-type games with 2 classes in a row. I only see the same group of kids every 2 weeks, so I play a bomb-type game about once a month.

I find they're *so convenient* and effective for middle school teaching. The games lead to a sort of drill and repeat that the kids actually enjoy. It keeps them glued to a screen, too, which is arguably not what we as teachers want... but, y'know... y'know...

[Ukon]

There is never enough bomb game....only a lack of time

[Illysook]

I'm planning it for part of next weeks lesson.

1st. a powerpoint with a handout with blanks to be filled out as we go. It will be helpful for them when they want to answer the bomb quiz questions if they really do pay attention and fill in those blanks.

Once this is completed, let the game begin. Most questions will come from the lesson so the students can use what they just learned.

[winterfall]

They're good for reviews. It's good to have at least 6 really good versatile games and stick em on a rotation. Play bomb on week 1, bingo on week 2, yadda yadda yadda. There's enough mix to keep things fresh and the kids know the games so you don't have to risk the 5 mile stare when you explain rules

[Kaypea]

I find my MS kids don't like activities that don't *specifically* include at least one of the following:

-PPT flash and snazz
-guessing
-drawing pictures
-bingo

They hate information gap type stuff. For example, I've been trying to make my 1st graders do a shopping activity that I thought would be fun, where each team gets 4 cards (which I laminated) and a list of 8 items, and they must ask other teams if they have the items on the list. The kids think it's boring, hard, not fun...

It's annoying because for some reason, to me, I have this image in my mind that a "good" esl activity involves hands-on things (even though they're pictures, not realia) and some kind of "gap" which forces them to ask one another questions. But, this doesn't work: it's too hard to keep them in English, too hard to keep them from showing the cards... they're bored because it's neither creative nor incorporating PPT...

So, yeah... I think it's best to rotate PPT games, bingo games, maybe a drawing/writing activity, guessing type games... no need to try activities where you laminate cards, unless if you don't have a computer/TV to show them pictures.

This being said, time to transfer the card game to Bomb game form!

[Caffeinated]

Wow, the fact that you're thinking about this question probably makes you an above-average teacher! Keep it up!

[Fishead soup]

These so called fun activities are ment to enhance teaching and to deter serious classroom management problems related to boredom. Once they no longer obtain these goals they cease to be useful.

[Kaypea]

[Illysook]

When I was at the hagwon and didn't have the fancy English Zone, I used a lot of laminated pictures, but if things get out of control, it's good to have a worksheet ready as a backup plan. My kids learned like crazy from all that stuff...but now that I have 30 or 40 kids per class once a week, it's not that practical.

[schwa]

When you guys were students (assuming a decent education) how often did your teachers play bomb games? Bingo? Or godforbid, hangman?

[interestedinhanguk]

what's a bomb game? I tried looking it up but couldn't find out.