Rules for the game are included in the game.  The rules are broken into 5 pages:  Basic, Taboo, Charades, Pictionary, and Describe It!

Basic Rules

- Divide the class in half (Team A vs. Team B).
- Have a member of Team A come to the front of the class and look at the keyword.
- If it's too difficult for them, they may pass and see the next keyword (up to 3 times), but the clock keeps running.
- That member must describe the keyword to the rest of Team A while members of Team A try to guess what the keyword is (in English).
- If Team A correctly guesses the keyword in time, they get a point.
- If they couldn't correctly guess the keyword, Team B gets ONE CHANCE to guess the keyword to get the point.
- The next turn goes to Team B.

NOTES:
- There is no penalty for incorrect answers.
- Have your JTE keep score on the blackboard.

Taboo

Taboo is a game of TALKING.

The object is to describe the keyword by using verbal communication in English only.

You CANNOT:
- Speak Japanese
- Use gestures
- Spell out words or give hints on spelling
- Say a part of the word (e.g. "book" for "notebook")

NOTES:
- If a team member correctly guesses a part of the word, you can now say it (e.g. "book" for "notebook").
- There are currently no additional taboo words for each keyword in this game
- The penalty for breaking a rule is just skipping the word.

More detailed rules of Taboo here.

Charades

Charades is a game of ACTING.

The object is to describe the keyword by acting and gesturing only.

You CANNOT:
- Speak or make any sound effects
- Spell anything (e.g. form any letters)
- Use any props (e.g. point at a pencil for "pencil")
- Walk around the room

NOTES:
- The penalty for breaking a rule is just skipping the word.

More detailed rules of Charades here.

Pictionary

Pictionary is a game of DRAWING.

The object is to describe the keyword by drawing pictures on the blackboard only.

You CANNOT:
- Speak or make any sound effects
- Use gestures
- Write any letters, numbers, or Japanese characters

NOTES:
- The more coloured chalk there is available, the more effecive the game is.
- The penalty for breaking a rule is just skipping the word.

More detailed rules of Pictionary here.

Describe It!

Describe It! is a game of TALKING, ACTING, and DRAWING, combining all 3 elements from Taboo, Charades, and Pictionary.

Prepare 3 cards (cut up a blank flashcard in 3) and write "Talk", "Draw", and "Act" on them respectively.  Alternatively, you can print up these cards from the "Talk Act Draw Cards" worksheet of the file.  The student selects a card before starting. Whatever card the student selects, they must perform that task!

NOTES:
- When the student is at the front of the room selecting a card, face the cards towards the rest of the class.  It makes fun reactions in the classmates as they try to get their buddies to pick the "wrong" card (usually "Act").
- It's best to play this mixed version the third time around after the students have already experienced Pictionary and Taboo.