Reveal the Picture

A picture hides under a numbered grid. Students call out a number, that square disappears, and they guess what the picture shows. It's a quick warm-up that gets everyone talking: numbers, vocabulary and "I think it might be...". Show it on a projector or share your screen in an online lesson.

Make a reveal quiz

All reveal the picture quizzes

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Ideas for using it

Numbers. Students call the numbers out loud. Good for 1 to 48 with beginners, or make them say it as a sum ("six times seven").
Guessing language. "I think it's...", "It might be...", "It looks like...", "It can't be... because...". Write the phrases on the board first.
Vocabulary. Students name everything they can see as the picture appears, not just the answer.
Lesson warmer. Start a topic or news lesson with a picture from the story. Students guess what the lesson is about.
Teams. Teams take turns choosing a number and get one guess per turn. A right guess with fewer squares open wins more points.
Online lessons. Share your screen; the student chooses the numbers and you click.
Describe and discuss. When the whole picture is revealed, keep going: where is it, what's happening, would you like to be there?

Tips for good pictures

Choose a picture with one clear subject that isn't obvious from a single square. Close-ups and unusual angles work well.
Landscape pictures fill the grid best.
Use your own photos or free pictures you're allowed to reuse, such as Wikimedia Commons, Unsplash or Pexels, and add the credit in the description.
Write your questions on the board, or say them as the picture appears: Where is this? What's happening?
Keep files under about 1600 px wide; huge photos load slowly in class.