Profesorado de Ingles - Didáctica Especial I - Prof.

Alicia Villaba - Flashcards

Using Picture flashcards

FLASHCARDS (FCs) are cards that have words, numbers or pictures on them and
that are used to help students and teachers learn or teach about a subject.

As the name suggests, these cards are displayed or shown briefly (as in a flash) by
a teacher to a class, usually as a teaching aid.

Some suggestions on how to use them.

We can use flashcards for teaching vocabulary, practicing vocabulary, as a prompt

or cue for drills and games, for speaking practice or testing, etc. The "names" of
the techniques were made-up for reference purposes.

You can generate your own FCs using images from internet, photocopies from
books or magazine cutouts.

Make them all the same size so as to manipulate them more easily. They should be
big enough for sts to see from the back of the classroom but not too large because
it will make it difficult for you to store them or manipulate them. An ideal size could
be 18 by 12 cm (so you get 2 in an A4 page size) or 14 by 10cm.(so you get 4 in
an A4 page size)

Laminate your FCs so that they last longer. You can use them many times or sts
can manipulate them in games or sorting out activities.

Some Techniques or activities

1. "Flash". when revising or practicing vocabulary, first get sts attention, and then
show the Flashcard very fast. Sts say the word or a phrase using the word
represented in the FC. eg. : "apple" or "It's an apple" This adds an element of fun
or challenge.

2. "Slow motion". Cover the FC that you are going to use and gradually reveal the
picture. (You can use another blank card to do this). Children identify what's in the
FC as soon as they can recognize it, and say: Apple! or It's an apple. This technique
creates "suspense" and gets sts attention.

3. "What's missing?" Get the FC on the board. Get the sts to repeat the words in
the order they are set. apple, orange, banana, pineapple, coconut, watermelon. Ask
the sts to close their eyes and cover their eyes with their hands. Then remove one
of the FCs from the board and hide it behind your back. Ask sts to open their eyes
and say: What's missing? "The coconut!!"

4. "Magic Eyes" Place the FC that you are going to use in a row on the board. (six
is a good number to use as this is the number that young children can retain in
their short-term memory, but you can gradually increase the challenge by adding
more FCs) Get the sts to repeat the words with you in a rhythmic way snapping
your fingers or tapping on the desk to mark the rhythm or chant. "elephant, zebra,
crocodile, camel, whale, giraffe!"

1
 Profesorado de Ingles - Didáctica Especial I - Prof. Alicia Villaba - Flashcards

Then remove one of the FC and go again. "elephant, zebra, crocodile, camel, whale,
giraffe!" When they get to the empty space they will use their memory and say the
word anyway without needing the picture. Go on removing FCs until there is no one
left. This is a fun alternative for repetition, memorizing and pronunciation practice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9KebTgfLJI

5. "Tic. tac -toe" Place the FCs face back on the board. (picture side facing the
board) with tape on a 3 x 3 grid. you can number the cards 1 - 9. Divide class in
two teams. Sts in turn choose one of the cards 1-9, you flip it over and if they say
the right word or a sentence using the word represented in the FC, they score for
their team. The objective of this game is to get three boxes in a row to win, either
horizontally, vertically or diagonally. Using FCs for a game like this, adds an
element of surprise and fairness. Keep some extra cards to replace the ones that
have been used in case you want to play a second or third match.

6. Match the pictures to the words.

7. Find the matching pair.

8. Sort out and make categories.

9. Bingo.

10. Relay board race.

11. Guess in 8

12. Mime it.

13. Point to the right one.

14. The odd one out.

15. Pictionary

16. Taboo

17. Guess my "word" /my job/ my animal/ etc.

The list of possibilities for FC activities is endless. Don't be afraid to try and use
your creativity to design new ones. Always share your successful techniques with
others. Good luck with your teaching.

love, Ms Alice. 
2
Profesorado de Ingles - Didáctica Especial I - Prof. Alicia Villaba - Flashcards