Flashcards games

And Ideas

Most of these games should be

used for approximately 10-15

minutes (lesson period

permitting). These times may

vary according to the level/ability

of the students.

ContentContentContentContent

1)1)1)1) Memory gamesMemory gamesMemory gamesMemory games ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………1111 2) 2) 2) 2) Letters games……………Letters games……………Letters games……………Letters games…………………………….……………….……………….……………….2222 3) 3) 3) 3) Chinese whisperChinese whisperChinese whisperChinese whisper…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..3..3..3..3 4) 4) 4) 4) Guessing games…………Guessing games…………Guessing games…………Guessing games…………………………………………………………………………4444 5) 5) 5) 5) Give me gameGive me gameGive me gameGive me game…………………………….…………………………….…………………………….…………………………….5555 6) 6) 6) 6) Go Fish …………………………………….6Go Fish …………………………………….6Go Fish …………………………………….6Go Fish …………………………………….6 7777----Bingo………………………………………...7Bingo………………………………………...7Bingo………………………………………...7Bingo………………………………………...7 8888----TPR…………………………………………..8TPR…………………………………………..8TPR…………………………………………..8TPR…………………………………………..8 9999----Treasure HuTreasure HuTreasure HuTreasure Hunt ……………………………9nt ……………………………9nt ……………………………9nt ……………………………9 10101010----Find 10 differences……………………10Find 10 differences……………………10Find 10 differences……………………10Find 10 differences……………………10 11111111----Stepping Stones……………………….11Stepping Stones……………………….11Stepping Stones……………………….11Stepping Stones……………………….11 12121212----Which one ………………………………12Which one ………………………………12Which one ………………………………12Which one ………………………………12 13131313----Tic Tac Toe………………………………13Tic Tac Toe………………………………13Tic Tac Toe………………………………13Tic Tac Toe………………………………13 14141414----Odd one out…………………………….14Odd one out…………………………….14Odd one out…………………………….14Odd one out…………………………….14 15151515----Snakes and ladders…………………15Snakes and ladders…………………15Snakes and ladders…………………15Snakes and ladders…………………15

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Materials used: Flash cards Target skill: Vocabulary – writing -

Instructions: Stick the picture flashcards and the corresponding text cards from a

lexical set randomly on the blackboard.

In small groups, the students match the text to the picture cards by

drawing lines.

When all the cards have been correctly matched to the words, rub out

the lines and put all the picture cards in a pile.

Put the class into two teams and ask the students from each team, in

turn, to take one card from the pile and stick it next to the corresponding

text card. The team with the most pairs matched correctly is the winner.

Variations

Memory Tester Place a selection of flash cards on the floor in a

circle.

Students have one minute to memorize the cards.

In groups, they have two minutes to write as many

of the names as they can remember.

Guess the item Stick a set of flashcards (up to ten different items)

on the blackboard. Point to each card and

encourage the children to say the items. Split the

class into two teams and ask them to look at the

cards for two minutes. Put the cards face down in

the same order. In turn, ask one child from

alternate teams to touch a card, say the item and

then turn the card over. If he/she has guessed

correctly he/she can keep the card for his/her

team. If not, he/she puts it back in the place it

came from. The team who guesses the most cards

is the winner.

Memory Games

Pairs Put a pile of picture flashcards and a separate

pile of matching text cards face down on the

table. Each child takes a picture or text card.

(There must be at least one text card to match

each picture card. In larger classes there could be

more than one text card per picture card.) The

children walk around the room finding the

players with the equivalent text/picture card using

appropriate language, for example, What

card/colour have you got? Have you got a …? etc.

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LeLeLeLetter Gamestter Gamestter Gamestter Games

Materials used: flash cards Target skill: vocabulary Instructions:

A letter recognition game for 1 or more players.

The rules for this game are quite simple.

• Shuffle up the cards and then place down any number of cards from 1 to 10 or more face up.

The more cards on the table the easier the game is.

• Players take turns.

• What a player must do is say the name of one of the letters on the cards. If the players says the

letter correctly on one of the cards they get to pick up that card and keep it.

• After a player takes a card, place down another card from the deck to keep the card count on

the table constant.

• Keep playing until all of the cards are gone.

• This game is not designed to really have a winner, it should be played just to have fun.

• Other variations that can be played are: say the sound of the letter or say a word that starts with

the letter.

• To keep the game fun remember to make a big deal when someone gets the letter correct and

be helpful when they are not sure of a letter.

Say & take

Variations

Alphabet Line UpAlphabet Line UpAlphabet Line UpAlphabet Line Up

This is a good way to teach the alphabet to your class.

Give each S an alphabet flashcard with a different letter of

the alphabet on it, starting at "A" (eg if you have 7 Ss, give

flashcards A through to G).

Have them move around the room to music. When the

music stops, they must line up in order.

You can also play with missing letters (eg. Give a "c", then

an "f", a "k", an "o", etc). That way they are really learning

the order, not just memorizing.

Alphabet Wave

Divide the a-z flashcards among all your students. Put Ss

in a line and play the ABC song. As it plays each student

must hold up their corresponding alphabet flashcard.

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Materials used: Flash cards Target skill: Listening

Put some flashcards face up on a desk.

Divide the class into two teams and ask them to sit in rows.

The first two students in each team come to you and you whisper an instruction, for example, Open

your book please.

These students go back to their teams and whisper the instruction to the next student.

This student then whispers it to the next, and so on, until the last student in the team runs to the

desk, takes the flashcard and gives it to you.

The first student to give you the flashcard wins a point for her team.

Chinese whispersChinese whispersChinese whispersChinese whispers

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Guessing GameGuessing GameGuessing GameGuessing Game

Materials used: Flash cards Target skill: Vocabulary – Comprehension – Speaking - Grammar

Instructions:

Put some flashcards face up on a desk.

Divide the class into two teams and ask them to sit in rows.

The first two students in each team come to the front. They have to guess the picture you are

hiding .For example you say it is a fruit. The student can say an apple or a banana .If she guesses

right she wins the card. Then it is the next student turn . The team with the most cards wins.

MimeMimeMimeMime (Seasons, animals, or sports flashcards can be

used in this way)

Split the class into four or five teams and fix the

cards at the front of the class. Ask one team to

mime the appropriate scene from a card, e.g.

playing football/It’s cold. The group who

guesses the correct card first wins a point. This

group then mimes another card. The group

with most points at the end of the game is the

winner. Guessing Question GameGuessing Question GameGuessing Question GameGuessing Question Game

This is good practice for asking simple

questions. T hides any flash card

behind his/her back and Ss try to guess what

the object is by asking questions: "Is it a dog?",

"Is it a ball?", "Is it a book?", etc. until they

guess the flashcard.

Hint Animal GameHint Animal GameHint Animal GameHint Animal Game As a review on animals cards, hold some cards

without showing any. Then tell the kids that

they are going to receive 3 hints, so they need

to listen carefully.

For example: 1. I am yellow. 2. I have long

hair. 3. I am strong. Who am I? Well, a lion of

course! You can make it in deferent levels

depending on how much English you use or

which vocab you use.

Variations Invisible FlasInvisible FlasInvisible FlasInvisible Flashcards hcards hcards hcards

• Stick 9 flash cards on the board and draw a grid

around them.

• Use a pen or a pointer to drill the 9 words. Always

point to the flash card you are drilling.

• Gradually remove the flash cards but continue to

drill and point to the grid where the flash card was.

• When the first card is removed and you point to the

blank space, nod your head to encourage children to

say the word of the removed flash card.

• Students should remember and continue as if the

flash cards were still there. They seem to be amazed

that they can remember the pictures.

• Depending on the age group I then put the flash

cards back in the right place on the grid, asking the

children where they go, or I ask students to come up

and write the word in the correct place on the grid.

ReveaReveaReveaReveal the word l the word l the word l the word • Cover the flash card or word card with a piece of

card and slowly reveal it.

• Students guess which one it is.

• Once the card is shown, chorally drill the word with

the group using different intonation and silly voices

to keep it fun. Vary the volume too, whisper and

shout the words. Children will automatically copy

your voice.

• Alternatively, flip the card over very quickly so the

children just get a quick glimpse.

• Repeat until they have guessed the word

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Ooooooooooooooooooooolk]fcddl]p[[fdd. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,

Materials used: Flash cards Target skill: Vocabulary – grammar – listening - comprehension Instructions: You can use with flashcards or objects.

Elicit the different flashcards you have. Then place all the flashcards around the classroom.

T says "Give me a (bus)". The S with the (bus) flashcard should approach the T and hand it

to her: "Here you are".

Give me gameGive me gameGive me gameGive me game

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Materials used: Flash cards Target skill: Vocabulary – Grammar - Phonics Instructions:

The dealer deals 5 cards to each player( or less, according to student’s

no. and vocabulary no.). The remaining cards are placed face down to

form a stock.

The player to dealer's left starts. A turn consists of asking a specific player

for a specific card.

For example: '……, please give me your horse'. The player who asks

must already hold a card of a horse . Then the player place the two cards

on the table.

If the person asked does not have the card of the horse, they say 'Go

fish!'. The asker must then draw the top card of the un dealt stock. If the

drawn card is the picture asked for, the asker shows it and gets another

turn. If the drawn card is not the rank asked for, the asker keeps it, but

the turn now passes to the player who said 'Go fish!'.

The game continues until either someone has no cards left in their hand

or the stock runs out. The winner is the player who then has the most

books.

Variations

Alphabet Fish

Print up two sets of flash cards, deal out each

player 5 or 7 cards, have them play just like 'Go

Fish'...'Do you have any A's' and so on....player

with most matches wins...variation on this would

be to ask for the opposite of what you have in

your hand....ex: if you have a capital 'A' then you

would ask for a lower case/little 'a'...and so on...

Go FishGo FishGo FishGo Fish

Refer to the word document with the title go fish

cards for printable cards

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Materials used: Flash cards Target skill: Vocabulary – comprehension- Listening Instructions:

Stick a set of picture cards on the board and the corresponding text cards below

the picture cards. Ask the children to choose six cards from the cards on the board

and write them in a grid on a piece of paper. Then you call out the words from the

set in random order. The children cross off their words as they hear them. The

first child to cross off all their words and shout Bingo! is the winner.

BingoBingoBingoBingo

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Materials used: Flash cards Target skill: Vocabulary - Comprehension Instructions:

T puts some flashcards on the board. Then a pair of students go to the board facing the flashcards. T

says words (from the flashcards) and the 2 children must touch the correct flashcard as fast as they

can. The winner is who touches more flashcards first.

Variations

Touch:

Place flashcards around the room and have Ss run

around the classroom touching the flashcards that

T orders them to do (e.g. "Touch the car" "Touch

the bicycle" "Touch the bus").

Point or race to the flash cards

Stick flash cards around the class.

Say one of them and students point or race to it.

Students can then give the instructions to

classmates.

You can extend this by saying "hop to the cat" or

even "if you have blonde hair, swim to the fish" etc.

You can also incorporate flash cards into a game of

Simon Says. "Simon says, jump to the T-shirt" etc.

Board race Stick four flashcards on the board in a row, low

enough for the children to reach. Divide the class

into two teams. Call out one of the flashcards and

the first two children from each team run to the

board. The first child to touch the correct flashcard

wins a point for her team. Continue with the other

flashcards.

TPRTPRTPRTPR

Musical Chair Alphabet:

Place chairs in the form of musical chairs with

alphabet flashcards placed on them. Start the

music when the music stops the students pick up

their flashcards and have to read the sound on

the flashcard. The child who is unable to read is

out of the game.

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Materials used: Flash cards Target skill: Vocabulary - Comprehension Instructions: 1- Hide a set of pictures around the class.

2- Ask students to look for all hidden cards.

3- Once all cards are found ask students to find the missing word

by taking the first letter of each card, scramble it and find the

missing word.

TrTrTrTreasure Hunteasure Hunteasure Hunteasure Hunt

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Materials used: Flash cards Target skill: Vocabulary - Speaking Instructions:

1. Show a sample set and ask students if the pictures are similar, and how they are different.

Elicit 10 differences.

2. Give pairs of students two pictures. Tell them write a list of 10 differences. If you want to turn

this into a competition, the first pair to find ten differences is the winner.

Variations

"Find 10 Differences"

Find 10 Similarities: do this activity with very different

pictures and have students find the similarities.

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Materials used: Flashcards. Target skill: Vocabulary – Grammar- Speaking

Instructions:

Lay your flashcards in a line on the floor and invite two

students up to the front of the class. The students then walk

up the line of flashcards going through the questions and

answers related to the flashcards in alternate order. The

students score one point for each card completed

successfully e.g.

Student one:"What's that?"Student two: "It's a book." (1 point)

Student two: "What's that?"

Student one: "It's a chair." (1 point)

Student one:"What're they?"

Student two: "They are rulers." (1 point)

If one of the students is unable to say the correct vocabulary

then they sit down and another pair repeats the process.

Variations

Cross the River:

Place flashcards on floor in winding manner.

Each represents a stepping stone in the river, as

students must say word/phrase/question/etc in

order to step on it and cross the river.

Stepping StonesStepping StonesStepping StonesStepping Stones

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Materials used: One or more sets of pictures that have things in common (all

portraits of men, or all landscapes, etc.). A set should have about four or five pictures. Target skill: Listening

Instructions:

1. Display a set of pictures and tell students you will describe one picture. They need to listen

carefully to find out which picture you are describing.

2. Describe the picture in excruciating detail, starting with the similarities. Little by little,

mention small differences. To make this activity work really well, you should write out the

description beforehand, so you can avoid giving away too much too soon.

3. Example: This is a picture of a man. He is a model. He's young, about 25 years old. His hair

is dark. I think it's black or dark brown. He has no beard and no moustache. He is standing

up, and he's looking at the camera. He's wearing a suit. I don't know if he's happy. He's not

smiling. (Etc.)

4. When students have guessed which picture you described, they can take turns describing a

different picture. If you have more sets of pictures, students can do the activity in groups and

take turns describing different pictures.

Which OneWhich OneWhich OneWhich One

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Materials used: (This game is only possible with sets of nine or more picture cards

such as: numbers, colours, parts of the body, clothes, classroom objects.) Target skill: Vocabulary - Speaking Instructions:

Stick nine cards from one lexical set in a 3 x 3 formation on the black board. Split the class into to

teams A and B. The teams take turns to say one of the cards out loud. If they say the right word, they

claim that card by writing above the card A or B. The first team to claim a row of three is the winner.

Tic tac toe

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Materials used: Flashcards Target skill: Vocabulary – thinking skills

Instructions: Put some flash-cards on the blackboard. All the cards will be related to the same topic but

one. For example: trousers, jacket, cow, shoes, shirt, jumper. Ask the students to find the odd one

out (saying the word).

Odd one out

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Materials used: Board game- Counters – Dice or numbered papers. Target skill: Vocabulary - grammar Instructions:

• Select the number of players that are going to play the game.

• Take turns rolling the die and answering the questions.

• If you answer incorrectly, you go back to the square where you came from.

• If you land on the foot of a LADDER and you answer correctly you go up the ladder.

• If you land on the top of a SNAKE and you answer incorrectly you go down the snake.

• If you land on one of the HOTSPOTS (Sun or Snake) and you answer correctly you get

another turn, but if you answer incorrectly you go back to SQUARE 1.

• The first player to reach SQUARE 64 and answer the question correctly is the winner

Snakes & LaddersSnakes & LaddersSnakes & LaddersSnakes & Ladders