During Golden Week

This has ten statements loosely connected to Golden Week. It was designed for classes of 8 or more but can be adapted to work with smaller numbers.

First of all the students should convert the sentences into questions. I've found that this encourages deeper learning than just presenting questions directly. Then the students circulate around the room asking each other the questions. When someone answers yes the student returns to the table and writes down the name of the answering student. The aim is to find as many different names as possible within a time limit. I like to use a short piece of music.

It's important to establish the rule that students leave their papers and pencils at the table while name gathering. This is not a survey! Some students may want to read questions to each other from the sheet. Better to encourage them to remember one quesion at a time and go around the room asking the same question over and over.

When time is up the teacher can ask about the results. Start by asking if anyone got four or more names and go up from there.

For groups of less than six rather than having the students mingle freely it is better to have them form pairs and then change partners every minute. When a partner gives an affirmative answer to a question the questioner should press for details by asking follow up questions. When time is finally up the group can reform and take turns summarising what they know about what the others have done.