Lesson talk:Mastermind

Cut from Talk:Warmer

Lots of good ideas here. Thanks. Real activites for real teachers. I'm not sure about one of them though: "26. Mastermind - Played the same way as the Mastermind children’s game with words instead of colours." I hesitate to admit my lack of knowledge - but how do children play mastermind?--Bob M 08:39, 28 May 2009 (UTC)--Bob M 08:39, 28 May 2009 (UTC)


 * Best with words of five letters. Teacher circles letters (in word students have guessed) in the correct position and ticks, puts an apostrophe, or whatever for correct letters but not in the correct position. Students have five goes to guess the hidden word.-- PaulMK


 * Basically it's an elaborate version of hangman: teacher puts the blanks, students guess a word and teacher leaves the right letter in place if it corresponds to correct position and puts an asterisk for other correct letters NOT in right position. Will try to explain in article, but if it ain't clear, please purge, and we'll try again here on discussion page. --Technopat 17:30, 28 May 2009 (UTC)
 * Actually I still don't get this. We say:


 * Played the same way as the Mastermind children’s game using words instead of colours. Basically it's an elaborate version of hangman: the teacher puts five blanks, students guess a word and teacher leaves the right letter in place if it corresponds to correct position and puts an asterisk for other correct letters NOT in right position. Students/class get five "goes" to work out the correct word. The difference between this and hangman is that students have to guess/work out and say the whole word, rather than letter by letter.
 * Where does the teacher put the "blanks"? OK - on the board I guess? But these represent five letters or words? Or is it a five letter word? Mmmm. as I ask the questions it becomes clearer.  But am I on the right track?--Bob M 07:41, 30 May 2009 (UTC)
 * Moved it to its own article - with the example it took up much more space than any other warmer - and might be too long to be included as a warmer anyway. Is it any clearer now? --Technopat 08:57, 30 May 2009 (UTC)
 * As so often is the case with games, assembly kits, etc., the instructions make it seem harder than it actually is. Students (and the teacher) quickly get the hang of it! --Technopat 09:29, 30 May 2009 (UTC)
 * OK, now I understand - just one question though. Why only five letter words?--Bob M 09:57, 30 May 2009 (UTC)
 * Original Mastermind was 5 colours - I'd imagine it has some statistical relevance. From a Tefl perspective, I reckon there's too many four-letter words out there to make it viable for students - which is why I always use 'em to beat my students at hangman... --Technopat 10:54, 30 May 2009 (UTC)