Simon says
Overview
Purpose
Vocabulary acquisition
Learning outcome
Students will be able to understand and respond appropriately to simple words and phrases.
Skills used
- Listening
Type
Class or group activity
Related units in ¡Sí!
- Unidad 14 ¿Cómo eres?
Instructions
Materials
Two diagrams are provided of the body with the main parts labelled. One includes the Spanish names, and the other has blanks to fill in as a homework or revision exercise. To download these diagrams, select from the following Word or PDF formats:
- El Cuerpo (The Body) diagram for 'Simon says' activity (Word, 38KB)
- El Cuerpo (The Body) diagram for 'Simon says' activity (PDF, 25KB).
Steps
- The game is played in the same way as 'Simon says...' but with Spanish instructions. So the students stand facing the leader (probably the teacher), and follow instructions to touch specific parts of their body, mimicking the leader.
- If a player touches the wrong part of the body, they are 'out'. If the instruction from the leader is given differently to the usual format, the students are not meant to move. If they do, they are 'out'.
- The game continues until there is only one player left – that player is the winner. The difficulty of the game is increased as the speed of instructions increases.
In the Spanish version of the game, the key instruction that players should listen for and follow is:
- "Simon dice 'toca...'."
"Simon says 'touch...'." - For example: "Simon dice 'toca...'."
"Simon says 'touch...'."
The variation on the instruction that players should not respond to is:
- "Toca..." ("Touch..."), that is, without "Simon dice" ("Simon says") at the beginning
- For example: "Toca la cabeza".
"Touch the head".
So all players who respond to this second instruction format and touch the body part mentioned are 'out'.
Tips
- Review Spanish names of parts of the body before commencing game.
- Have a practice round to familiarise students with the two versions of the instruction.
- When first playing this game, give instructions slowly and repeat same body part names often until students are familiar with them. Then the game can be sped up to make it more challenging.
- Make an audio tape to facilitate the speed required.
Variations
- Begin by playing with the whole class and then, as students gain confidence, it may be played in smaller groups with students taking the lead role.
Further learning
- Revise songs that include references to parts of the body, such as 'Head, shoulders, knees, and toes'. The music (scores) and words for these songs are provided in the ¡Sí! kit, in the 'Teacher resource file' section.
- Keep a picture on the wall to remind students of body parts vocabulary and delete words as they become familiar.
Language to use
- Simon dice toca...
Simon says touch... - Toca...
Touch...