Word Bridge
Minefields

Level Aims Grammar Time Materials
elementary school to junior high school@second year To consolidate new words none 10-15@mins 15cm cards with target words or pictures on them.

Practice the target words with the cards until the students are fairly competent at naming them. Then arrange the cards into the form of a bridge across the board in the illustrated fashion. Divide the class into six teams, and assign each a name. Draw a competition tree beneath the bridge on the board using the teams' names. E.g., 

                        I
          ------------------------------
          I                            I
      ------------------               I
      I                I               I
  --------         ----------         ----------
  I      I         I        I         I        I
Natto   Semi   Namekuji   Gokiburi   Tororo   Onara

Have the first two teams come to the front and line up on either side of the board. Beginning with the first in line, the students must make their way across the bridge from opposite sides, touching each card and naming its picture or word. Encourage them to speak in a loud voice. When the crossing students meet on the same card, they must jan-ken to see who continues. The loser returns to the end of their team and the next player begins from the start of the bridge again. Draw a finish line at either side of the bridge, two cards from the end. The team whose player names the card across the line (i.e., the 2nd to last card) wins the match and goes through to the next round. Continue with the next two teams.

                           I                     I
                      O  O I O  O  O  O  O  O  O I O O
                           I                     I
 
                      (finish line)          (finish line)

Teaching Tip

Learn the names of as many TV characters as you can, and incorporate them into your classes. For example, when practicing comparatives ask, "who is more beautiful, Uehara Takako or Hisamoto Machami?" (the answer is Takako of the group SPEED). This lets the S/s use English to discuss their opinions of events and people that impact on their lives, which makes English seem more real.

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