Teacher Lesson Plans - Guilty

Preparation (5 minutes)

You must first explain to the class what an alibi is, preferably by giving a simple example. Next, divide the class into groups (ideally between 4 and 6 groups). We now need to create a scenario, but I usually say that they should pretend that each group is holidaying in the city Hotel. It’s important to stress that all groups are there at the same time, and that no group knows another. We have to pretend that the hotel is famous because it has a very large diamond, but during their stay, it is stolen. One group must be responsible, and the aim of the game to find the guilty group.

Task 1 (15 minutes)

Each group should prepare a simple group alibi, something which everyone is doing together and lasts the whole day.

Board work (5 minutes)

Write the alibis on the board so that everyone can see them.

Task 2 (25 minutes)

The teacher should can now explain how we will catch the guilty group. This will be done like so;
Each group will be checked by splitting them into halves. One half will be sent out of the room and remaining half will be questioned about their group alibi. The questions come from any members of the class brave enough. Then the halves swap, and the same questions are asked to the second half. If the answers are the same, the alibi is true. But mistakes signal a fake alibi! In preparation, each group should prepare exact details about their alibis, and ensure that every member of their group remembers them.

Task 3 (50 minutes)

Go through each group one by one, remembering how many mistakes were made. The group with the most errors is clearly guilty, and must be sent to jail!