Simon Says

For young learners

Great warm-up activities will do 2 things: 1 review previous lessons. 2 develop vocabulary over time.It's not just about the game it's how you play it!

I love Simon Says, and there's so many different ways you can play it, there's no materials you need to teach this game or play it. However it's how you play theses games that makes them fun for students.

When I teach the game to kids that don't know it I start with simply 2 words and gestures. Sit down and stand up. I start by asking and gesturing the class to stand up. And when they do I, in an over animated way, shout NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! and pull my hair out etc.  Then I do this again just one more time. The students will be slightly confused and curious about what they are doing wrong. Then I say Simon says...or please...how ever you want to play the game, and stand up. I give thumbs ups to the students that stand up and tell them good. Some students will pick this up right here....but mostly they will need a few more goes. So repeat the same idea for sitting down.

What I like about this is you are presenting the students with a puzzle in English. And they have to solve it! they want to solve it. And when they do they feel a sense of accomplishment and joy which they will bring out every time they play this game.

Every lesson I like to add new words to this games to expand their vocabulary. With younger learners you can have them repeat the words when they have to do the actions.