Mme B's Classroom

In order to improve student engagement and speaking opportunities, we have starting play “J’ai Qui a”, otherwise known as “I have, who has.” Students get the chance to read and speak a different set of words each time they play, and have to listen for their card to be called before they can respond.

To play, give a card to each student, doubling up if there are left over cards; each set comes with 30 cards. Students domino around the room responding with the card they have and asking for the next card, until they reach the end. It is best timed and improved upon during the course of the unit, and helps improve oral/listening skills.

I prefer to create my cards with black and white clip art because most schools do not have a coloured printer available for staff and I don’t like the way coloured pictures print out.

This easy-to-use activity is great to practice making the speak in an informal setting, and hearing how words should be pronounced. Having the picture associated with the word is a great way to memorize the vocabulary, even if it isn’t used all that often in the rest of the lessons. As students get older, cards can be adapted to remove the ‘J’ai’ picture, and therefore students need to know what that picture is called in order to respond appropriately.

When doing Centers, this is a great chance to have students use a shortened version of this game – sorted by animal habitat, difficulty level or any other category your class comes up with – and they can play amongst themselves in a small group. Each student would be responsible for a few cards that they must sort through and remember they have. Ideally, 10 cards for 3-4 students.

This activity and many more can be found HERE on my TPT store.