Game: Typhoon

Typhoon: Game Description

Type: Game

 

Objective: To review and reinforce knowledge through a combination of quiz questions and a fun element of chance.

 

Setup:

  1. Grid Preparation: Draw a large grid on the board (e.g., 5×5). Each square in the grid represents a question or a special action.
  2. Hidden Elements: Prepare questions related to your lesson and assign them to most squares in the grid. Randomly distribute special elements such as points (e.g., +10, +20), Typhoons (lose points), and bonuses (e.g., extra turn, double points). Write these elements on slips of paper or a hidden answer key.

How to Play:

  1. Divide the Class:
    • Split the class into teams.
  2. Starting the Game:
    • Teams take turns choosing a square on the grid.
  3. Answering Questions:
    • When a team selects a square, reveal the question assigned to that square. The team must answer the question correctly to earn the points or avoid penalties.
    • If the team answers correctly, they receive the points or benefit hidden in the square.
    • If the team answers incorrectly, they do not earn points, and the turn moves to the next team.

Note: Depending on the class level, I usually have them answer the question using complete sentences. One words answers don’t count in my class. For example, “What is the weather like today?” I expect and answer like, “It’s cold and rainy.”

  1. Special Elements:
    • Points: If a square contains points, the team adds these to their score.
    • Typhoons: If a team selects a square with a Typhoon and answers the question correctly, they choose any team and that team has its score “blown away” back to zero. or reduced by a number of points (e.g., -10).
    • Bonuses: Bonuses can include gaining extra turns, doubling their next points, etc.
    • Steal: This allows the team to steal points from any team they choose.
  2. Winning the Game:
    • Continue playing until all squares are chosen or until a set time limit is reached.
    • The team with the most points at the end wins.

Variations:

  • Themes: Tailor questions and special elements to specific topics or themes to reinforce current lessons. Give each row a category name, for example, “past tense.”
  • Grid Size: Adjust the size of the grid based on class size and available time.

Typhoon is an engaging and dynamic game that combines knowledge review with elements of chance, keeping students excited and involved.

Each square has a value. Some can be just +points, others can have steal point from another team, and a couple have typhoons. You can be creative with the bonuses or the square values. If the team answers the question correctly, they get the value in that square. If they answer the question incorrectly, they either lose those points or the next team has a chance to answer the question. If no team answers the question correctly, the value is lost.

 

Note: After a team picks a square, I show them the value before asking the question, so they know what they are playing for.

 

Key for the Grid

  • Q1, Q2, Q3, etc.: Questions related to the lesson. Each square with a “Q” contains a question that the team must answer.
  • Correct answers: earns the team the value in that square.
  • Typhoon: The team picks another team to lose all their points or a specific number of point (e.g. -15 point).
  • Bonus: Special bonuses (e.g., extra turn, double points with a correct answer).

Example Questions (create your own questions based on subject matter, topics, and material to be reviewed)

  • Q1: What is the past tense of “go”?
  • Q2: What is the past tense of “teach”?
  • Q3: What is the past tense of “catch”?
  • Q4: What is the past tense of “buy”?
  • Q5: What is the past tense of “have”?
  • Q6: Name three people that work at a hospital.
  • Q7: What is your dream job?
  • Q8: Who brings you your food in a restaurant?
  • Q9: Who do you give the money to in a shop?
  • Q10: Who creates activities like this one?
  • Q11: What is the main ingredient in guacamole?
  • Q12: Name three ingredients in a salad?
  • Q13: What is the best salty snack?
  • Q14: Name three types of junk food.
  • Q15: Name three types of Italian food.
  • Q16: Who is the author of “Harry Potter”?
  • Q17: What is the chemical symbol for water?
  • Q18: Name the largest planet in our solar system.
  • Q19: What year did World War II end?
  • Q20: Spell the word “accommodate.”