49 ESL Conversation Games & Activities - Jackie Bolen 2020

Story picture cards sequencing
English conversation games and activities for higher level students

Skills: Speaking/Listening

Time: 15+ minutes

Level: Intermediate to Advanced

Materials Required: Laminated cards which have a sequence of pictures, one per student plus your own

In advance, prepare individual pictures which tell a story when put together. Give each student one picture. Without showing one another their pictures, students must discuss the images in order to determine the correct sequence of images which tells a story. When they think they have the correct order, everyone reveals their pictures to see if they are correct.

Teaching Tips:

If the class is very large, have two or even three different sets of pictures, each telling a different story. Clearly mark each set, so students know who they should be working with. Also be sure to designate areas of the classroom to stick to. Once each group is done, consider switching cards for each group and doing it again.

Make sure the pictures have elements which lend themselves to easier sequencing, such as a clock, sun/moon, and activities usually done at a certain time, such as eating, commuting, and working. The books Zoom and Re-Zoom by Istvan Banyai are perfect for this activity. Just be sure to use a sequence of pages in order.

Procedure:

1. In advance, prepare a series of pictures which tell a story when put in order.

2. Tell students they must discuss their pictures without revealing them to each other, in order to determine the correct sequence of the images.

3. When the students think they have the correct order, have them reveal their pictures to one another to see if they are correct. The teacher can check answers with the class if necessary.

4. Repeat with another series of pictures if desired.