Zip Bong

Level: Elementary, Intermediate and Advanced.

Skills: speaking.

Topic: warmer.

Materials: none.

Time: 5 to 10 minutes.

It's a funny warmer for those days when students seem a bit 'out-of-sync'. It's somewhat like Fizz, Boing, Bounce.

Have students sit in a circle, and choose one person to start the game. Tell students to face the student on their left and say “zip” one at a time, going around the circle clockwise as fast as possible. As they say “zip,” they have to keep their teeth completely covered with their lips (no smiling)! Warn the group that if students accidentally show any teeth, they’ll be out.

Once students understand the “zip,” add a new movement. Students can reverse the direction of play by turning to the player on their right and saying “bong.” The player receiving the “bong” can either continue in the new direction (saying “zip”) or can reverse the direction again (by saying “bong”). Students who show their teeth, look in the wrong direction, or go too slowly, must step out of the circle and become judges. The competitive and speedy play continues until the circle shrinks to two students, the winners.