20 Questions: Animal Version!

We recently started talking about "The Wild Side" during our ZŠ4./5. English lessons, which focuses on animals, animal verbs, and reviews the difference between the present simple (I run) and present continuous (I am running).

So, in order to practice our new vocabulary, and to take a break from using the textbook, we have been starting or ending our English lessons with a game of 20-Questions. The game begins when one student thinks of an animal and the others ask yes or no questions until they are able to guess the animal. Originally we started with only the animals from our textbooks (see below), but we have now moved to include other common, extinct, and imaginary animals.

I often write sample questions on the board to provide some guidance (as in the picture below), but the more we play the more students make up their own questions.

For example, today in class one student asked "Does it eat grass?" and another asked "Is it living now?" So far our class has only been stumped once, and it was by "unicorn."

Sample questions for students to use when playing 20-Questions.

Shops: Practicing Counting in English

Last week in ZŠ2.B each student created their own shop and this week we were able to put them into use by setting up a small classroom marketplace.

Students decided what they wanted in their shops, drew small pictures of the items "for sale," and decided how much they would charge for each item.

Then, students were given 100 kč to spend. Money was exchanged for small pieces of paper with the product drawn on it, such as a pet fish, hot chocolate, or laptop. The money was originally handed out in 5 kč denominations, and when students needed smaller change they had to go to the bank.

Toward the end of the class we wrapped up the spending and counted the money students had left. We then calculated how much they spent or earned, as you can see in the picture of the board from the class. Some students chose not spend any money, and others spent much of what they had. Overall, it was a great way to practice our shop vocabulary and use larger numbers!