Treasure Hunt

Version 1

Level: A2, A2+ (adaptable for higher levels)

Aim: to practise linking words and phrases and text structure

Materials: a short story (a text describing daily / weekly routines), blue tack, scissors, pieces of paper

Students are told to stand up, stand behind their chairs, look under their chairs and try to find a scrap of paper (the teacher has already stuck one scrap of paper with a sentence on it to the bottom of each chair). Students read what is written on the scraps of paper and work together to put the sentences back in order to make a story. This can be done on the desk or on the whiteboard. This activity also focuses on developing students’ collaboration skills, i.e. their ability to work effectively with each other on a common task.

Version 2

Level: A1-lower A2

Aim: to practise prepositions of place and imperatives (Halloween activity)

Materials: blue tack, scissors, pieces of paper

Students are told to stand up, stand behind their chairs, look under their chairs and try to find a scrap of paper (make sure that you have enough time before the lesson starts to stick the scraps of paper with the instructions to the bottom of the chairs and hide enough sweets all over the classroom). Students, one by one, read what is written on the scraps of paper, follow the instructions and try to find Halloween treats (e.g. ‘Go to the window. Find a yellow box with a witch on it. Look behind the box.’)

Or: stick only numbers to the bottoms of the chairs. When students find them give them a map (a piece of paper) that says: ‘Numbers 1,2 and 3 find a jack o’ lantern that is on the window. Look inside it. Your treats are there.’ ‘Numbers 4, 5 and 6 find a black box. Look behind it. Your treats are there.’