I feel old even describing this, it was that long ago. But I'll never forget it. Planning with my co-teacher. She asked, what do you want to do? I simply said, "make it awesome". New to teaching, and dealt the task of encouraging third graders to want to come to English class because it was FUN. What is fun? Humor.
The target language was, "Do you want some more?" The reply, "Yes, please" or "No Thank you". Sitting on my desk in open view, a bottle of Coke, Sprite, and Orange Juice. We had their attention immediately. I should point out this was a follow up lesson, and it was time to execute.
We planned an activity, where competition was pivotal (the activity itself is irrelevant). The first six to finish received a prize. Everybody wanted the Coke. Energy levels were peaking, participation at capacity. Winners come on down to the winners circle. We had them draw numbered straws. Each number corresponded to it's own prize. Then, applied blindfolds.
I revealed the actual prize list to the class, pleaded they keep quiet, and not give it away. The real prize list:1,3 and 5. Coke,Lemonade and Orange Juice. But, 2,4 and 6, Soy Sauce, Vinegar, and both. One by one the winners came up and "one shot" their prize. As a class we followed their shot with the question "Do you want some more?" Their replies were obvious. The kids got a kick out of watching their classmates suffer, especially after the disappointment of not winning.
Every child participated in delivering the question. They had fun, and they wanted to come back to English class again. The best part for me was the Energy in the classroom, and students interacting with all their classmates, not just their friends.
That sounds like a fun class! I remember that lesson from my time in public school. However, your lesson sounds much more entertaining than mine was. The English textbooks that they used in public schools were really hard to work with. You were lucky to have a co-teacher that was so open-minded and flexible with lesson planning.
ReplyDeleteHello there,
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, let me say I love your background image. Secondly,I think, "Make it awesome!", is a fantastic motto to live and teach by! Using realia in the classroom is something I wish did more of. I also think using a kind of 'treat' as a reward can be a great motivator for kids. But what you have done here is actually incorporated your 'props' as the reward which is brilliant. Even better is the surprise factor, which leaves students with no choice but to answer the question truly, based on their immediate reaction. Getting students to ask and answer questions honestly during an activity can be a struggle at the best of times, especially in an English learning environment. Nice work taking the 'same old, same old' and transforming it into 'awesome'.