Introduction

This game combines the topic of Robin Hood with students being able to move, be creative, and practice pronouncing different words. Children become more comfortable with the chosen words the more they play. They can also integrate vocabulary from any topic!

Target group and Time

This game is most suitable for children who are familiar with the story of Robin Hood. One round with instructions takes about 8-10 minutes.

Learning objectives

This activity practices speaking from memory. Students also enhance their knowledge of vocabulary through combining words and movements.

Instructions to set up the activity

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Begin by asking the students to introduce themselves to each other, since knowing names is essential. Ask them to say their name, age, maybe a favorite subject and a word that describes their character (e.g. bold, shy). This way of beginning not only helps the leader to know what level of English students have but also how creative they are.

Human Memory, or Menschen Memory in German, works like a normal game of memory played with cards. There are pairs that belong together, and two players trying to guess who belongs to whom. The two children who are guessing go out of the room, or if playing outdoors, go inside for 2 minutes. When they return, they start guessing. In pairs, the other players think of one movement (e.g. drawing a bow) and a word to describe the action verbally (e.g. saying "bow and arrow" or "Robin Hood"). After guessing a pair correctly, the person receives one point. (The matching pairs can then leave the playing field and stand behind or next to the guessing person to keep an overview of the game.) When playing outdoors, it is possible to integrate found materials such as leaves for a crown or sticks to form a cross into the game.

Words, characters, and movements inspired by the Robin Hood theme:

Robin Hood	use a bow and arrow
Maid Marian	show a heart or act like being in love
Prince John	put on a crown
Friar Tuck	draw a religious symbol like a cross
Sheriff of Nottingham	steal an imaginary bag of money or make a mean face
money	rub thumb and fingers together
poor	beg for money
rich	show a big belly and gesture money
tree	do a yoga tree pose
horse	make the sound and movement of a horse