Jeopardy
Minefields

This is a categories game where students select the type of question they feel most confident answering. The five categories can be interrogative questions (who, what, which, when, where, why, or how), or things and places the students are interested in (e.g., countries, food, sport, mountains, music...). Each category has 5 degrees of difficulty (D/d) cards, ranging in value from 100 to 500 points; the more points, the more difficult the question. (See sample questions by Rob Jones).

Arrange the cards on the board (glue strip magnets to their backs), and draw a team scoreboard next to them, while the JTE is describing how to play the game. Alternatively, let the JTE arrange the cards on the board while you explain what to do in simple English. Use gestures and the cards themselves to help in this. Have the class arrange themselves into their lunch groups. One person per team is nominated as the team's 'mouthpiece'; the team's nomination and response goes through them. Note that the 'mouthpiece' need not answer by themselves (although they can); this is a team game. When playing, a 15-30 second time limit keeps things moving. Start with 30 seconds until they get the hang of the game, when you can decrease the time to 15 seconds. This keeps things exciting!

Randomly select the first team to compete, and have them select a category and D/d. Remove the card from the board and read the question. If they are able to answer correctly, they receive the points and can play again. However, if they are unable to answer, or answer incorrectly, the chance to answer goes to the first 'mouthpiece' to raise his/her hand. If they can answer their team receives the points, but the next turn goes to the next team in order.

Once a team's 'mouthpiece' has responded (correctly or incorrectly), they must relinquish their place to the next team member, even if they have answered a forfeited question. Continue until all cards are removed from the board. The highest scoring team is declared the winner, and rewarded appropriately.

Teaching Tip If a lesson ends earlier than planned, or you want to teach numbers to your students, try 'Buzz and Fizz'. All numbers that contain 4 or 7, and are divisible by 4 or 7, must not be spoken, but are replaced with 'buzz' (4) and 'fizz' (7). Have the entire class stand, and sit as they make a mistake. The last person/ 5 people standing are the winners.

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