Musical Steps

Musical Chairs is popular game among ESL learner. So, to keep their excitement high I created this activity. Instead of the students move around and try to get the chair, they should step on particular spot where some vocabularies tacked/written on it.

Use up-beat song. I usually use the instrumental version of Foster The Child song's titled Houdini.
The beat is very catchy and easy to listen.

Steps and Instructions :
1. Teacher write/tack some target vocabularies on the floor. Put the written/tacked vocabularies in certain way so it makes circular/square pattern on the floor.
2. Put a chair at the center as a pivot point.
3. If the students are more than 10, do the activity in group of 5 or 6.
4. Explain the game and give example.

• OK class, we're going to do "Don't Step On Me Musical".
• This is in-group activity.
• We have five words on the floor. So, you should step on any the words except the one that I'm going to read its definition or synonym. Is it clear?
• But, before that I'm going to play a song then you should move around circling this chair.
• When the song stop you should quickly step on the safe words.
• If you step on the wrong word or unsafe word I will ask you a question.
• Is it clear.
• Good. Lets do it.

Alternative : For small class, divide the class in to 2 group. Have the first group play the game while the second group wait for their turn. Every time a student answers the question correctly exchange his/her position with another student from the second group. If the student can't answer the questions correctly, he/she should stay in the game.