Whack-a-Mole
Each question is one round of the arcade board. The question sits on the sign, and critters pop up out of their holes one after another, each holding one answer on a placard, then duck back down. Students whack the critter with the right answer.
How to play Whack-a-Mole
- Press Play and read the question on the sign.
- Watch the critters pop up and read their placards.
- Whack the critter with the right answer: click or tap it, or press 1 to 4 or A to D.
Right and wrong answers
One whack per question, and it counts. A right whack sends the critter dizzy under a burst of stars. A wrong one makes the critter laugh, and the right critter pops up with sparkles so students see the answer before the next question. The clock pauses between questions.
Levels and classroom ideas
Works from A1 to B2. Questions are up to 90 characters and answers up to 24, with two to four answers each.
- Question types
- Multiple choice
- Length
- 5 to 20 questions
- Text fits
- Questions up to 90 characters, answers up to 24
- Use it as a fast warm-up on last lesson's vocabulary.
- Project the board and let the class shout the letter before one student whacks.
- Review opposites: put the word on the sign and its opposite on a critter.
Sample set: Opposites
A2 Open the generator to play these, edit them, or make your own.
- The opposite of hot is ___.cold · warm · wet · bigAnswer: cold
- The opposite of big is ___.small · tall · longAnswer: small
- The opposite of happy is ___.sad · gladAnswer: sad
- The opposite of fast is ___.slow · quick · late · loudAnswer: slow
- The opposite of open is ___.closed · empty · fullAnswer: closed
- The opposite of old is ___.new · tall · short · darkAnswer: new
Whack-a-Mole: questions teachers ask
Can students play without a mouse?
Yes. They press 1 to 4 or A to D, and that answer's critter pops up and is whacked, so nobody has to wait for it.
What happens on a wrong whack?
The critter laughs and the right critter pops up with sparkles. Every question gets one whack, and the next question follows.
Is there more than one look?
Yes: a sunny farm garden with moles, and the moon with little aliens. The farm suits younger classes.
How many questions are in a game?
Between 5 and 20, with 10 by default.
