Headbanz/20 Questions, Novice Intermediate, ASL

Created Feb. 7, 2024 by Amber Hoye, Megan McAllister, Delaney Lyon, Sarra Foerster

Please Note: The activities on the Pathways Project OER Repository were created by upper-division students at Boise State University and serve as a foundation that our community of practice can build upon and refine. While they are polished, we welcome and encourage collaboration from language instructors to help modify grammar, syntax, and content where needed. Kindly contact amberhoye@boisestate.edu with any suggestions and we will update the content in a timely manner.  — The Pathways Project

About the Boise State World Languages Resource Center (WLRC) Language Activity Repository

The activities provided by the Boise State World Languages Resource Center (WLRC) serve as foundational activities which can be adapted by any language and scaled up or down on the proficiency scale. 

This activity was created by upper-division language students working in the World Languages Resource Center at Boise State University. Our activities seek to help students solidify their interpersonal speaking and interpretive listening skills through task-based situations or communicative activities. We recommend using these activities to help reinforce the content students are learning, allowing the students time to feel comfortable using the unit’s vocabulary and grammar structures through application. Further, these activities should be facilitated in approximately 90% (or more) in the target language, per the recommendation of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.

Using the WLRC Repository’s Activities:

When you are ready to begin remixing the activity, in order to adapt it for your target language and audience, simply click the “Remix This Resource” button at the top of your screen. The text provided in purple is a suggestion of what you might say to your students and should be changed to the target language. 

Most activities contain a connected chapter, two to three “NCSSFL-ACTFL Can-Do” statements, a warm-up, main activity, and a wrap-up. In addition to the instructions, some activities may include a “cheat sheet” containing the target vocabulary and grammar structures emphasized in the activity. Though most of the lab materials are provided, a computer, projector, printer, and laminator may also be needed to fully utilize materials. 

Many of the activities include printable cards and other instructional materials. If you would like to adapt these materials for your language, please email WLRCLAR@gmail.comand we will provide you with an editable copy. For YouTube videos and other websites, hyperlinks are provided. 

Enjoy!

- Boise State World Languages Resource Center 

Headbanz/20 Questions

Proficiency Level:

Novice Intermediate

This lab is a fun game for students to understand the importance of facial expressions and describing things. 

Keywords:

Game, Facial Expressions, Descriptions, Questions

Relevant NCSSFL-ACTFL Can-Do Statements:

  • I can answer a variety of simple questions (Novice Low)
  • I can explain the importance of facial expressions (Novice Intermediate)
  • I can describe simple characteristics (Novice Low)

Relevant ACTFL World-Readiness Standards

Communication

Standard 1.1

Students engage in conversations, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions.

Materials Needed:

  • White Boards
  • Dry-Erase Markers
  • Erasers
  • iPad

Folded Word Cards, Main Activity, One per Student

Warm-Up

1. Begin by introducing the Can-Dos for today’s activity and showing a short video on facial expressions. After the video, have a discussion and see what students say.

"Today, we're going to start by watching a video about facial expressions. Pay attention to what they're signing and why their facial expressions matter."

Main Activity

1. Give each student a folded word card and have them place it in front of them without looking. Each student will take turns asking questions about what they are, in order to guess the word on the card.

"Now, we're going to play a game called Headbanz/20 Questions. Each of you will be given a word card, but you can't look at it. One person will start by asking a question about themselves to try and guess what they are. We will go around until everyone has figured out what they are."

Wrap-Up

Wrap-up questions (Pick the a few you’d like to ask):

1. Did you enjoy the game?
2. Do you feel like you understand facial expressions more now?
3. Do you have any other questions?

End of Lab:

• Read Can-Do statements once more and have students evaluate their confidence. 
(Use thumbs up/thumbs down or download our student cards.) 
• Encourage students to be honest in their self-evaluation.
• Pay attention, and try to use feedback for future labs!

Relevant NCSSFL-ACTFL Can-Do Statements:

  • I can answer a variety of simple questions (Novice Low)
  • I can explain the importance of facial expressions (Novice Intermediate)
  • I can describe simple characteristics (Novice Low)

Return to top