Our November 6th meeting

In this meeting we talked about building up language from one lesson to the next. We discussed the importance of reviewing vocabulary and language so that students don't forget what they learned in earlier classes.

We practiced an activity that helps students review "How are you?" and possible negative answers such as "I'm hungry", "I'm sad", etc. The activity then encourages children to continue the conversation by offering a solution to the bad feeling.

Target language:

A/ How are you?
B/ I'm ___________________ (adjective)
A/ Oh!  Here's a _____________
     Oh!  I love you!
     Oh! Relax!

The Class Game

1. Put the kids into teams (rows of desks / boys vs. girls / whatever!)
2. Put the "How are you?" answers in a box or bag.
3. Put the "solutions" in another bag or box.
4. While you play some music, the kids pass around the two bags or boxes. They have to pass it to the person next to them (not just to people on their own team).
5. When you stop the music, everyone shouts out, "How are you?"
6. The kid with the answer bag or box picks one out (without looking!) and says it in a big voice.
7. The kid with the solution bag or box picks one out (without looking!) and gives a reply.
8. If the solution matches the answer, both kids get a point for their team.
9. Start again from 4.

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After this activity was introduced, we brainstormed other ways to use the cards to practice this language.

Idea 1
Divide class into big groups (8-10 students each). They play this game together within their own group. Groups that get a match get a point.

Idea 2
Question/Answer "Karuta"
1. Children ask, "How are you?"
2. Teacher draws a card and says "I'm ______"
3. Children in small groups (3-4) smack a solution card and yell the answer.

Idea 3
Like idea 2, but the children play amongst themselves, with one child becoming the "teacher"

Idea 4
Find a match (can use in a big class)
1. Divide class in 1/2 -- One 1/2 is A, one 1/2 is B.
2. As get 1 "feelings" card each and Bs get 1 "solution" card each.
3. Students move around the room and ask each other:

B/ Hi! How are you?
A/ I'm __________.
NO MATCH:  B/  That's too bad.
MATCH:         B/  Oh! Here's a _________. / ________!
                         A/  Thank you!
Then both students sit down.