Classroom+Vocab+-+Supermarket+Sweep

Ok, so I haven't tried this activity yet, but I will be trying it on October 11, so I'll be sure to update and let you all know how it went!!

It's somewhat of a take off of the old game show "Supermarket Sweep." For this vocab, though, it will be called "Bookstore Sweep."

Prior knowledge - none: the students will have never seen this vocab before.

Prep work: Gather all of the physical items from the voacbulary list (i.e. a binder, a notebook, a folder) so that you have one for every group that you will have. I will divide my students into 4 groups of 7. Arrange the items on tables along the sides of the room so that one or two walls is coverd with the items.

Rules of the game:
 * The students will get 5 minutes with the vocab list prior to the start of the game. They will see the spanish word on a sheet and, while looking around at all of the items around the room, try to guess which word belongs to which item.
 * At the start of the game, each group will receive a "shopping list" that has all of the items in a different order so that there can be no copy-cat effect.
 * The students in each group will have to arrange themselves in a line so that each knows what he/she is responsible for getting (some students will have to go twice).
 * At the sound of the buzzer, student #1 will go shop for the correct item according to his/her list. When he/she thinks he/she has the correct item, he/she will have to come "check out" with me to make sure that it is the correct item for the particular vocab word. If it's correct, it's student #2's turn. If it's incorrect, student #1 has to go back and try again. Deliberating with the group is permitted.
 * The first group to get all of the items correctly matched up with it's vocab word wins.

Playing the game:
 * While students are still seated, explain all of the rules. Make sure to check for comprehension. It could get really crazy if things got out of control.
 * After everyone understands the rules, divide the students into pre-arranged groups.
 * Have the students move their desks off to the side and out of the way so that they have enough room to get around while "shopping."
 * Once students are in their groups, put up the vocab list (without the translations) for 5 minutes so that the group members can work together to try and figure out what each word is.
 * At the end of the 5 minutes, pass out the 4 diferent "shopping lists." Give the students a minute or so to look it over and put themselves in line.
 * Start the game.

After the game:
 * I am going to run out of time because we have a shortened schedule on the 11th so I am going to provide the students with the correct Spanish/English vocab list the next day in class for them to copy into their notes, but if you had enough time, you could definitely have them write down the new vocab using their shopping list and the items that they "bought."

If anyone uses this, let me know how it goes!!

So, I tried this activity on October 11th...with a little twist. Due to a lack of time and a fear of my highly competitive and animated students, I decided to adapt the activity for the first go-around. The main idea is still the same but the rules were a little different. Here is my updated set of rules: 1. Form 4 groups of students. 2. Each group receives a shopping list of things that students need for classes. 3. All groups received 2 minutes to examine their shopping list and try to pair the items on their list with those items around the room. 4. Each team member recieved their own 1 or 2 items that he/she was responsible for obtaining. The students then received an extra minute to look that over and discuss it with their group. 5. When I said "go," the first student was responsible for going out into the "bookstore" and finding their item(s). The class was to remain ABSOLUTELY SILENT! (This really has more to do with the fact that my classes don't know how to be excited in a manner appropriate for class. You could let the students talk if your classes could handle it.) 6. The next person in line could not go until the person before him/her was back in line, sitting down. 7. When the last person in the group found their item(s) and all members of the group were seated, their team was finished. 8. When all the groups were finished and seated, I went around to each group and checked the accuracy of their items. As soon as I got to an incorrectly paired item, I said no and moved to the next group, giving that group time to go through and try to find their own mistake.
 * Update**
 * In this new version, there were no designated winners or losers, but of course the students took a vocal pride in the fact that their group didn't have any incorrectly matched items.
 * The students seemed to like this activity, although they told me the next day that it wold have been more fun as a competition. I hope that before the end of the trimester I am able to re-do this activity and make it a timed competition. My only fear is whether or not the students will be able to act maturely during such an activity.