Aim of the Game
The aim of the game is to be the first team to complete a row (horizontally, vertically or diagonally) of three squares, by constructing sentences on set topics using a given order of definite and indefinite articles.
As many games of Os and Xs end in a draw, a second way of finding a winner could be who wins the most squares.
Procedure
Put the game board on the white board or a notice board where it is visible to all the learners.
Tell the learners you are going to play a game of noughts and crosses to revise/practise the use of articles.
Elicit the rules of the game from the learners as far as possible.
Divide the class into two teams and designate one as noughts and the other as crosses.
Choose a team to go first. If you have already played a game, let the losers start the next game. The team chooses which square to play for. Make sure the teams can designate squares correctly, drilling where necessary (e.g. top left, bottom right).
The team has to make a sentence on the chosen topic, which includes the given articles correctly used in the order given. For example, if the team chooses sport, they have to make a sentence about sport which includes the articles the - a - the in that order (e.g. The British football team will win a medal at the next Olympics). If they can do so, they win the chosen square and you write their symbol (i.e. a 0 or a X) in the chosen square. The go moves to the other team.
If they get the answer wrong, the go moves straight to the other team.
The first team to successfully complete a row of three wins the game. If nobody completes three in a row, the team that wins the most squares are the winners.
Variations
Learners can also play the game in pairs. Once you have shown them how to play the game by doing some examples on the board, divide the class into pairs and they play the game individually.
Alternatively, put the learners in groups of four and pairs play against each other.
Monitor to check that the learners are playing correctly and settle any disputes about correct sentences.
There is also a blank version so you can adapt to your own activity.