Pin the tail on the donkey

Maria Warren

OBJECTIVES:

1. To introduce vocabulary for directions

2. To encourage students to speak up loudly and with energy

3. To create a fun learning environment

PROCEDURE:

1. Start by introducing key vocabulary when giving directions: straight, down, up, right, left

2. Next sing a song or chant directions and get children to stand up and practice moving in the direction you call out (Editor: Genki English’s ‘Left and Right’ song would be good for this –available free from their website)

3. Then explain the rules of the game (a lot of children here know this already as it is a popular childrens’ party game). Stick the donkey picture on the wall.

4. Ask for a volunteer to wear a blindfold and to put the tail on the donkey. Tell the other children to give directions to the child with the bandana on. After the child puts the tail on the donkey, use a post-it to record their name. Then give the next child a turn and so on. Mark each child’s effort and at the end of the game, give the child/children with the closest mark a prize.

5. Finally review the vocabulary again

NOTES:

• I got asked to prepare this game for a child’s birthday at one of my kindergartens. I realized that this game can easily be adapted to primary schools too. Be aware of safety (children tripping etc).

• This activity was a lot of fun. The children remembered the directions easily as they are being kinesthetic and I think that will help them remember the vocabulary more.

• You can prepare more than one tail and one donkey. This makes the activity run quicker so that the children don’t have to wait so long for a turn.

WORKSHEETS and HANDOUTS:

There is a rather fine picture of Donkey here