Altogether
Subject: Cardinal numbers
This fascinating game is designed specially for helping your new students to know each other better in first lessons.
Skills: Speaking, Listening
Level: Beginner
Recommended Age: 8-10 y.o.
Number of Participants: 6-12 players
Time: 15-20 minutes
Place: Classroom
Equipment:
- A calculator
- A black- or whiteboard
Materials: A piece of chalk or a marker
Preliminary Preparation: Not required
Immediate Preparation: Not required
How to Play. To start the game, you ask the children: 'How old are you?' As the players take it in turns to answer, you put the corresponding numbers into your calculator. When everyone has answered, you ask: 'How old are you altogether?' Once one of the children has said the correct number, you write it on the board like this:
Age: 127
Next, you ask, e.g.: 'How many sisters have you got?' and follow the same procedure. Then you calculate the number of brothers, aunts, uncles and so on. At the end of the activity, the players count up the statiscics of the class by saying all together: 'Altogether we are one hundred and twenty-seven years old, we've got five sisters, four brothers, ...'. There is no winner in this game, but its effectiveness as an icebreaker is great!
Note. At higher levels, you may wish to extend the activity. To that end, you can calculate additionally the total weight and height of the class.