Agarra el Número - a World Language Reading Game!

I was finishing up the movie talk Closet Space and had this amazing text my kiddos were reading and re-reading. Things were going well and I wanted them to stay that way - it was such a good source of input!

I’d worked hard to comprehensibly write the storyline and it was compelling…but I needed to find a way to keep the engagement going all week! I sure don’t have time to plan and prep every single night.

As you may have heard me say in other blog posts, my go-to solution for most challenges like this is to GAMIFY (aka trick them into re-reading).

In a moment of inspiration, I created this re-reading race - I called it ¡Agarra el Número! It’s SO easy to play, low-prep, and has the bonus effect of reviewing numbers.

Game Set-Up

Super Low-Prep Materials:

Since they love this game, it’s worth the small amount of prep needed to set it up. Save the printable cards and use them anytime you want to play!

A printed copy of a text with line numbers (any numbers work! 1-20, count by 10s, count by 100s)
Deck of corresponding number cards (reusable!)
Printed copy of the text and a pencil for each student
15 Choca Cinco cards (reusable!)
Optional 15 Aguafiestas cards (reusable!)

How to Play:

Print and cut the number cards. Scatter them face down on a desk in the front of the room out of the line of sight of students. To add a challenge, hang or hide them around the room for a scavenger hunt.
Form groups of 2 - 4.
Distribute the translation worksheet (with the line numbers on the left margin) to each student.
Each student translates a sentence in between the lines at the same time*.
*Very important! Group members can ONLY translate one line at a time. Pencils down when it’s time to go grab a number.
PRO-TIP: MODEL YOUR EXPECTATIONS 2 OR 3 TIMES BEFORE PLAYING; ACT IT OUT WITH A VOLUNTEER DEMO GROUP
Grab the number! Once done translating, one member of the group runs to grab the corresponding number card for the sentence; alternate runners each turn. Remind them they can only say the numbers in Spanish! Practice first: “Agarra número ocho!” “Busca número doce! “Yo lo tengo!”
“Choca Cinco” cards: give one to groups demonstrating great sportsmanship - I love to reward the positive! Add these to the total number of cards they collect.
PRO-TIP: MODEL YOUR EXPECTATIONS 2 OR 3 TIMES BEFORE PLAYING; SHOW KIDS WHAT GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP SHOULD LOOK LIKE!
Optional “Aguafiestas” cards: give to groups not showing good sportsmanship. Deduct these from the number of total cards they collect.

Numbers Cards 1-15

Rejoinder Signs

Choca Cinco Good Sportsmanship Cards

Aguafiestas Cards

How to Win:

The group that collects the most number cards wins! Check to make sure their translations are correct and that each group member participated. If not….¡DESCALIFICADO!

FAQ:

What happens if they run to get a number card but another team already took it? Someone can hold up this rejoinder sign (included in the free download!) ¡La Vida No Es Justa!
Can they call out the number line they are translating to “claim” it? Someone can hold up this rejoinder sign (included in the free download!) NOPE - ¡De Ninguna Manera!
If you see too much cheating (translating while someone is running), you can play in rounds. Using a timer, give groups a start time to begin the translation of one of the sentences and an end time when pencils go down. Then shout ¡Agarra el Número! and watch the scramble begin!

More thoughts and a Free Download…

I’ve attached a FREE EDITABLE DOWNLOAD of the ¡Agarra el Número! projectable instructions and a set of game cards when you sign up for the newsletter below. You’ll also find a growing collection of ready-to-use stories in my TpT store, CI Cuentos.

Use any text with numbers on the side and play the game often. Depending on how familiar the text is, it typically takes about 15-20 minutes for fast finishers to be done. I usually have them help me check the next groups for accuracy, or decide who’s earning Choca Cinco cards.

Best of all, your kiddos will not even realize you’ve tricked them into re-reading AND practicing the word quinientos, all stealthy-like. You didn’t even have to plan and prep at night!

If you try this, pop back here and let me know how it goes!

Wishing you all the very best,