What's missing? A memory game for the whole class

Up to six pictures on the screen. The class says every word, closes its eyes, and one picture disappears. Eyes open: what's missing? A favourite of preschool teachers, for memory, attention and lots of speaking.

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Sample lesson: 8 animal words in Spanish, 2 teams. Free, no account.

What the class sees
Ages
3–8 years
Players
The whole class, or 2–4 teams
Time
5–15 minutes
You need
A projector, TV or interactive board

How it goes in class

  1. Pick the words: 4 to 10 words of one topic work best.
  2. The class looks at the pictures and says each word together.
  3. Press → : "Close your eyes!" Press → again: one picture has gone.
  4. The class (or a team) names the missing word. Press → to bring it back and hear it.

Tips for teachers

  • Make it harder step by step: fewer seconds to look, or more pictures in the lesson.
  • Let a child be the "magician" who presses the key while the others close their eyes.
  • Give the point to the first team that says the word, not the first that shouts.

Questions teachers ask

How many pictures are on the board?

Up to six, from the lesson's own words. A very short lesson borrows a few pictures from the same topic.

Is every word missing once?

Yes: every word of the lesson is the missing one once, in order or shuffled.

Do children need to read?

No. The words are written under the pictures for those who can, but the game works with pictures and speaking.