Task: Draw your partners toy

Description
This task is directed at a 4/5th grade level, English class in Denmark.
The teacher splits the class in groups of two. Now, student 1 has to describe
the toy for student 2, whilst student 2 draws said toy, without using words that
give the toy away like its batman, or the brand, maker or name of the toy.
Next, the students swap places. Now student 2 has to describe for student one.
When done, give positive and negative feedback on each others pictures.
The purpose of the task is for the students to work with communicative and
figurative language.
Materials needed
Pen, paper, extra toys for those who forgot.
Preparation
Preparation from home: Find your favourite toy, and bring it with you to the
next English class.
In Class
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Tell the students the goal of the activity

Break the task into subtasks
Make sure the students understand the task at hand.
Give a time limit
Pre-teach key phrases or vocabulary. Make a list of words for the to use.
Make an example for them to base the task on.
Make dividers on the table, for the students to hide their toy

Further Suggestions
1. Test the limit for the task. When is it too easy or too childish?
2. Alteration in the difficulty level. Choose a part of the toy to describe, or
maybe give them a whole other thing to describe. LEGO maybe.
What cloud go wrong
The task is too hard/easy, so the students go back to their L1.
Few key-phrases for them to use. Students go back to their L1.