Listen and Draw
Listen and Draw
"Listen and Draw" is a straightforward classroom game that helps reinforce understanding of basic prepositions learned through a prior activity called the Preposition Chant. With minimal materials like pencil, paper, and optionally a stuffed animal or a toy, this game translates the learned prepositions into a fun drawing activity.
Once the students are familiar with seven basic prepositions (on, in, under, next to, between, in front and behind) through the Preposition Chant, they get to apply this knowledge in the game. Initially, the teacher demonstrates the prepositions using a toy or any object, by placing it in different positions relative to another object or a drawn image, and the students frame sentences describing the positions.
To play the game, students are instructed to draw on their paper based on the prepositional phrases provided by the teacher. For instance, they might start by drawing a fishbowl on a table, then a table between two chairs, a cat under the table, a cup in front of the fishbowl, and a panda behind everything. Each instruction brings in a preposition that the students have learned, enabling them to visualize and contextualize these prepositions.
The game concludes with some students showcasing their drawings and prepositions at the front of the class. The interactive drawing activity not only solidifies their understanding of prepositions but also sparks creativity and engagement in learning English. To maintain a swift pace and keep the game within a 15-minute time frame, a 30-second timer can be set for drawing each new picture. The game is flexible, as the objects in the instructions can be replaced with others based on the students' interests, making it a personalized and enjoyable learning experience.