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Trimono

Overview

Purpose

Recognise and respond to words and phrases in Japanese.

Learning outcomes

Students are able to:

Skills
Type

Pair activity

Related units in Hai! kit

Instructions

Trimono is a version of dominoes that uses tri-dominoes (triangular dominoes) instead of the traditional rectangular dominoes. The objective is to form a pre-determined triangle pattern by matching the questions and answers, parts of equations, or word/phrase types that are written on the edges of the tri-domino pieces.

Because of their position within the overall pattern, the central tri-dominoes require three matches, the side pieces require two, while the apex pieces require only one – see following template.

Materials

To download the trimono templates for both the trimono pieces and the solution, select from the following Word or PDF formats:

PDF help

Each pair of students needs one trimono set of 16 tri-dominoes.

Steps
  1. Divide class into pairs and provide each pair with one set of 16 tri-dominoes, which are placed face down on the desk.
  2. One player in each pair 'shuffles' (mixes) the pieces while still face down, then deals their partner and themselves a 'hand' of four pieces each. The remaining eight tri-dominoes are left face down in the middle (forming the pool).
  3. When all pairs are ready, tell class to start.
  4. The non-dealing player starts the game by placing one tri-domino from their hand face up on the desk and asking a question that is either written on it or relates to a word on it.
  5. If the dealer has the answer to that question on a tri-domino in their hand, they reply affirmatively and give the answer. They then place their tri-domino beside the first so that the matching sides are aligned. It is now the dealer's turn to ask a question about one of the pieces.
  6. But if the dealer does not hold the answer to the first question, they reply negatively and pick up a new piece from the pool. The non-dealer then continues their turn by asking a new question from the tri-domino on the table (or in their hand if the piece on the table provides no new questions).
  7. This process of question and answer continues until the puzzle is finished.
  8. The winners are the pair who finish first.

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Tips

Variations

Trimono can be adapted for different vocabulary and levels of difficulty by:

Further learning

Trimono can also be used for extension and learning-centre based work in which students can:


Language to use

The following dialogue illustrates a possible conversation between partners while searching for a correct match in the trimono.

Student A: Ohayoo/konnichi wa
Hello
Student B: Ohayoo/konnichi wa
Hello
Student A: Kore wa ii desu ka.
Is this OK?
Student B: Hai, ii desu.
Yes. It's OK.

If a student disagrees with an answer, they can say Iie (No), then try their own match by saying Kore wa ii desu ka.

Other useful language

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