ALTERNATIVES TO KEEPING SCORE

The following suggestions allow for competition in the classroom, but minimize hurt feelings in students. 

1. STINKY SOCKS

A classic. Place a picture of a pair of socks on the wall or whiteboard. Play any game that requires two players to compete against each other. Get the loser to kiss (or pretend to kiss the socks). In place of socks, use a picture of an elephant, a donkey, a monkey, a garbage can, etc.

2. THE LION'S MOUTH

Similar to KISS THE SOCKS except the losing player has to pretend to stick his or head into a drawing of a lion's mouth. Prepare a tape recording before class of a lion (or yourself growling like a lion) and then play this every time a student has to put his head into the lion's mouth. You can substitute a dinosaur, tiger or snake for the lion.

3. RUN

Ask the losing player to role the dice and then run the length of the classroom as many times as the number on the dice. For example, if the student rolls a 6, he or she must run 6 times. Little kids don't minds being the loser here as it's more fun than winning.

4. PUSH UPS

The losing player does push ups. This is especially fun for little ones as they have no idea how to do a push-up properly.

5. FIND SOMETHING

The losing (or winning) player must find something in the classroom. For example: something red, blue, (etc.), something big or small, or something that is edible or non-edible.

6. MOO

The losing (or winning) player must imitate an animal sound: moo like a cow; bark like a dog; baa like a sheep; etc.

7. LOSER'S CHOICE

Let the loser of each round choose the next two players, and perhaps even ask them the question or hold the flashcard. This is an effective way to avoid hurt feelings. 

8. WINNER TAKES ALL

Reward the winner of each round with a small sticker, a piece of a cookie or dried fruit. Pennies also make good prizes. Ask the students to hang on to their stash until they have collected 10 or 20. Let them then cash the coins in to you for a larger gift (a cute pencil, eraser, bookmark, even an interesting stamp from your home country).

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