Activate Manual

pens or thin markers
to write down the card title, words, and questions.
HELP FROM STUDENTS
1. Brainstorm two or three topics with the class. Together, think of words and questions related 
to the topic. Write them on the board to model how to produce words related to the topics and 
questions based on those words. 
• Example topics:
° Pets
° School Subjects
° Tools
• Example vocabulary (Tools):
° Hammer
° Saw
° Wrench
• Example questions: 
° What kind of pet is the most fun to have? (Pets)
° What is your favorite subject? Why? (School Subjects)
° How does it work? (Tools)
2. Brainstorm a large list of possible topics with the class. After compiling a list of 20 or 30 topics, 
divide the class into pairs or small groups.
3. Have each group volunteer for one of the topics. As they do so, check off the topics that are 
“taken.”

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Activate: Games for Learning American English
4. Give each group some scratch paper to use in planning their cards and questions.
5. Draw this graphic organizer on the board as a guide.
6. Encourage groups to divide up the tasks of writing questions and drawing (or finding) pictures. 
7. Tell students that their goal is to create a card similar to the original 
Picture This
card. However, 
it is not important that each card have exactly six pictures, labels, and questions. 
8. Some groups will need more time to work than others, so plan accordingly. For example, if one 
group finishes quickly, the members can choose another topic from the list and make another 
card.
9. Encourage students to ask you or their classmates for ideas if they get stuck thinking of pic-
tures or questions.
10. When a group is ready with a plan, distribute materials (paper cut to size, glue or tape, and 
markers or pens) for the final card and have them create their cards.
BUILDING A COLLECTION
Save the cards and add to the collection each year. The more cards you have, the less likely students 
are to say, “We did this one already.” Laminating or covering the cards with clear contact paper will 
help them last much longer. Perhaps students can even file the cards alphabetically and create a list 
of available topics.

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