GRAMMAR RACE

By Michael M. Magbanua

Description: Here’s another fun and engaging strategy to teaching grammar. A very

integrative approach level 2 grammar teachers can use in their review lesson. Contents in this

activity were all taken from student’s background they themselves learned in level 1. This

customized grammar race is a “‘snakes and ladders”-inspired board game.

Target Learners : Level 2 (intermediate)

Alloted time : 30 minutes (may vary)

Materials : number-cube; task-cube; grammar-cube; transparent cake box; noun

list; verb list; 5 colored grid markers; whiteboard markers

Procedures :

1. Divide the class equally into small groups (ideally of 4-5 members only)

2. On a ¼ sheet of paper, have each student write down at least 10 noun vocabs and 10

verb vocabs they learned in level 1. Collect these wordlist afterwards.

3. Prepare your grid game on the board. See the sample below.

4. Have each group draw their wordlist. Give them freedom to choose either a noun or

verb. Announce them their word.

5. Have them shake the 3 cubes inside the cake box, and then give them 30 seconds to

accomplish their task. Discourage remaining groups from coaching.

Student’s sample input: verb=drive; cube 1=5; cube 2=spell and sentence usage;

cube 3=Yes-No Question

Student’s sample output: (for cubes 2 & 3) - Do you drive?; Does s/he drive?;

Can you/he/she drive?

6. Move their marker (say 5 steps up) should the group answered the two tasks correctly.

7. Repeat steps 4 & 5 until a team reaches FINISH line.

8. Reward the winning team.

GRAMMAR LESSONS: be-verbs; a-an; simple present; there is/are; demonstratives;

possessive adjectives; personal pronouns; S-V-O pattern; Wh- and Yes-No questions; can-

can’t; negatives…

COMMENTS: a process and product-oriented, learner-centered review lesson group

activity; careful classroom management is strongly advised. Please feel free to customize.

Happy teaching!

TEACHER’S MATERIALS

THE BOARDGAME

[Type a quote from the document or

the summary of an interesting point.

You can position the text box

anywhere in the document. Use the

Text Box Tools tab to change the

formatting of the pull quote text box.]