Most Japanese children already know this game. It s a great way to introduce new vocabulary, in that it only requires recognition or even partial recognition of the new material. First spread out whatever cards you are using face up in front of you. Between 10 and 20 cards is usually best, but more or less can often work better. Gather the students around the cards, then say the name of each card as you touch it. Have the students repeat after you. The game is played by slapping whatever card is called with either hand (or a fly swatter). Demonstrate this once or twice by calling out a card and hitting it yourself. Then choose two students to begin. Call the first card. If neither student responds correctly in a reasonable length of time, say stop and touch the card yourself. Then call the next card. Once a student hits the correct card, give it to him/her and pass the turn onto the next student. Play continues in this manner until all of the cards have been correctly identified. Once students are comfortable with the basic game, you can add the rule that an incorrect response loses a turn. This allows you to make false calls (e.g. of cards that have been removed, or cards from a previous game), and is especially useful with only a few cards remain in play. After the last card is won, have the students count their cards and ask them how many they have. Then, either have each student say the name of the card as they give it back to you, or ask for each card in order. For reviewing vocabulary, or if one student is much better than the others, have the winner of the first round be the caller for the next round. Take over or help if they get stuck. Stop to review when students are stuck. Can be used with any vocabulary (e.g. numbers, colours, time words). A good idea for a phonics lesson is to use letter-cards and call out words (or use picture cards) students have to slap the first letter. For advanced students, you can play a guessing game (e.g. It s a number. It s bigger than four. It s smaller than six. It s an animal. It s green. It likes to jump.).