Puppies: What're they so pleased about all the damn time?

If you're an ESL teacher, you already know that Apples to Apples is a lifesaver in the classroom (as are half a dozen other board/card games...I've just requested the card game Taboo in my next package from home). For this contract in Korea, I brought the family version of the game ( 1 ) because the words used are simpler and include fewer obscure cultural references. ( 2 )

So, in class, you can play these games as they're intended or dismantle them and make up 100 other activities based on the number and level of your students. A few weeks ago, I played the single student ( 3 )  version of Apples to Apples with Chaelin. ( 4 )  I flipped over an adjective card and Chaelin matched as many of her noun cards to it as she could. If she could explain how each card matched by giving an example, she got a point and the next round began. With a time limit and prizes, it's a pretty successful activity.

Favorite Round:
Adjective card = Delicious
Proposed noun card = Sleep

Me: I agree! But tell me why.
C: Because when I eat delicious food, I feel happy. When I sleep, I feel same way.
Me: Perfect! You got the point!

/ (Abrupt)End of Anecdote

DIGRESSION BOX (you're welcome).

1. A recent Google image search revealed that there is, in fact, a Jewish version of the game as well. 

2. Of course us Belden kids sat 'round the table, a brappin' away, and gave the cards the ol' one-two before my departure. Grood times.

3. Single student classes still crack my ass up, by the way. They do present some unique challenges, mostly keeping that one student from getting terrifically bored of you, but it's INFINITELY easier than a monkey scramble of 35 kids.

4. Her name is apparently spelled "Chaerin" in English, I've just learned, but I hate the way those letters look together. It sounds more like an L when it's spoken anyway. Well, it sounds like an ㄹ, really...