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Alibi Game

Two students leave the room. Class asks them questions to find differences in their stories.

⏱ 20-25 min⚡ Low energyðŸ‘Ĩ Whole class

📚 Vocabulary

â€Ē past tense
â€Ē question formation
â€Ē time expressions
â€Ē yesterday
â€Ē at 3 oclock
â€Ē I was

🛠 Materials

â€Ē No materials needed
â€Ē Optional: crime scenario written on board

📋 How to Play

  1. Set the scene — "A cookie was stolen from the canteen yesterday at lunch!"
  2. Two students are the suspects — send them outside together to create an alibi.
  3. They must agree on a story of where they were and what they did.
  4. While they are outside the class prepares questions to catch them out.
  5. Bring suspect 1 back in — class questions them for 3 minutes.
  6. Send suspect 1 out and bring suspect 2 in — ask the same questions.
  7. Compare the two stories — any differences mean they are guilty!
  8. Class votes — guilty or not guilty?

ðŸ’Ą Teacher Tips

✓This game is outstanding for practising past tense question formation.
✓Pre-teach question starters — Where were you? What were you doing? Who were you with?
✓Make the crime funny and silly — children are much more engaged.
✓Give the suspects 2-3 minutes outside to agree on their story.

🔄 Variations

→Use three suspects instead of two for more complexity.
→Students write their questions before the suspects come back in.
→Change the crime each round — stolen lunch, missing pencil, broken window.

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