Playing games allows children to PRACTISE language in a fun and relaxed environment.

This game of noughts and crosses (OXO) includes the following key words from the story 'Brown Owl's Birthday Tea': Brown Owl, cake, presents, birthday tea, three, family, friends, pizza, Auntie Lorna

This game can be used as a filler, a station task , for early finishers etc.  The game itself does not last long but the pupils will enjoy it so much that they play it over and over again!

Level 1: say the word depicted to win the square

Level 2: put the word into a sentence to win the square

Why not laminate the sheet so that it can be reused? Or children can place different coloured glass nuggets down instead of drawing OXO.

By playing a game of noughts and crosses (OXO), children have to USE the new language and tactics to win the game.

They are in control of the level of language they use.

E.g. If they choose the square with the CAKE on it, they can say as long or as short answer as they like to get it:

cake

chocolate/birthday cake

I love chocolate cake!

Let's bake chocolate cake! (text from the book)

All key words are taken from the rhyming picture book 'Brown Owl's Birthday Tea', by Rachel Schmidlechner and Nadja Grace Bodner.

Have fun reading and rhyming with Brown Owl!

If you'd like to know more about the rhyming picture book the words are taken from, you can check out some sample pages here.