Looking for a fun way to review? (+Elementary 3 Jeopardy!)

It's here! The end of the term!

Most teachers like to reserve the class prior to the exam for some kind of review session. Students appreciate this and it's a good way for you to make sure the major pieces of the syllabus have been covered appropriately.

Keeping it fun is a good way for students to learn and also enjoy their last few hours with you and their classmates- so why not create a Jeopardy game? Maybe Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

On the class resource pages, I've linked to a few new sites that offer free, downloadable PowerPoint templates for creating your own games. This way, you can be sure that the material on your final exam is covered while still utilizing technology in the classroom and looking professional.

Look for these sites at the bottom of the Downloadable/Printable section followed by NEW!. There is also a site linked in the Interactive section where you can create your own online, flash version. I haven't tried this one out, so please leave a comment if you use it successfully!

For anyone teaching Elementary 3, I've created a review Jeopardy game using one of the templates. You can find it in this Dropbox folder.

Enjoy and good luck with the rest of the term!

Spotlight On: American Inside Out Upper Intermediate 4, Unit 12- Home (page 120-121)

This is a 1.5 hour lesson plan that corresponds to pages 120-121 of Unit 12- Home in the American Inside Out Upper-Intermediate 4 course.

Screen time: 35-45 mins
Supplementary materials: 10-20 mins
Bookwork: 35 mins

Materials needed: conversation starter photos, large pieces of paper, dictionaries, countable/uncountable quiz loaded or printed, Hidden pictures powerpoint downloaded

The Lesson:

Warmer (15-20 mins): World's Most Unusual Homes conversation starter from Busy Teacher 

1. Download the file and enlarge each photo to fill a page.
2. In small groups, students should talk about each of the homes in regards to:
1. Description of the home and the landscape
2. Where the home might be located
3. Who might live in the home
4. The advantages and disadvantages of living in that home
5. Would you like to live there? Why or why not
3. Optional: Groups could each choose one of the homes and write an advertisement as if they are a real estate agent trying to sell the home. Present the advertisement to the class and other students guess which home is for sale.

Introduce the topic (10 mins): Brainstorming "things in a home"

1. Give each small group from the warmer a large piece of paper with a room written in the center (kitchen, living room, bathroom, hallway- add more as needed)
2. Give the groups 2 minutes to brainstorm as many things they might find in that room as possible.
3. Stick the papers on the whiteboard and discuss/make additions as a class.

Bookwork (20 mins): Vocabulary and Speaking & Listening exercises on page 120

1. Have students use put new vocabulary into the appropriate "room" using dictionaries and a partner. 
2. Go over answers and explain vocabulary as needed.
3. Discuss new vocabulary in exercise 2 and associate the words with parts of the room.
4. Students check the items they have at home and report back to the class.
5. Look at the room photos and complete the speaking and listening exercises in partners.

Quiz (10 mins): Countable or Uncountable? from Using English

1. This can be done as an online quiz or you can print a copy for each student.
2. Complete as a class using the TV or have students work in pairs.
3. Discuss confusing nouns and use this exercise to introduce the next topic- Quantity expressions used with countable and uncountable nouns.

Bookwork (15 mins): Grammar exercises page 121

1. Work through the exercises in pairs or small groups.
2. Correct and report back as a class.
3. Read information and complete Grammar Extra activities on viii

Game (15 mins):  Kitchen Hidden Pictures game from ESL Games +

1. Download the hidden picture powerpoint and play the powerpoint. Each time you click, a square disappears uncovering part of a picture.
2. Students compete (alone or in groups) to be the first to say the vocabulary word. If they get it right, have them make a sentence using one of the new quantity expressions from today's lesson. Example "There's plenty of food in the fridge if you're hungry." Students/Pairs earn points for correct guesses and sentences.
3. Note- This game is designed for children, but I think many adults could really get into it. And you can complicate it as much or as little as you feel is appropriate.

Assign homework from the workbook

Spotlight On: Engage Starter, Unit 3- Favorite People (pages 29- 31)

This is a two hour sample lesson that could be used to begin Unit 3 in an Engage Starter class.

Screen time: 15 mins
Supplementary materials: 45 mins
Bookwork: 50 mins

Materials needed: Game of the month loaded on Barry Fun English, "be" negative formation worksheets printed from MES English

The Lesson:

Warmer (10 mins): Color Me Red from Busy Teacher

1. Write a color on the board that one of the students has on their clothing or bag.
2. Students guess who is wearing that color.
3. Winner puts another color on the board.

Introduce the topic (10 mins): Group brainstorming competition

1. Choose one of the jobs highlighted on pg 29 that students will recognize. Write it on the board and divide the class into teams of 3-4 students.
2. Give the groups 1 minute to think of as many people in that category as they can.
3. Group with the most people wins! Compile on the board.
4. Repeat for a few other jobs.

Bookwork (15 mins): Vocabulary exercises pg 29, Workbook exercises pg 20

1. Ask students to look at the people on page 29. Ask "do you know any of these people?"
2. Students label photos then listen to check.
3. Complete exercises 2 & 3, plus workbook page 20. 

Game (15 mins): Game of the Month on Barry Fun English

1. You must create an account, but the free version allows you access to one game every month. Play this game using one of the jobs lists (students will learn some new jobs...)
2. When I signed up for my account, he was offering one month of premium membership for free. If this is still possible, upgrade to be able to create your own vocabulary lists and access all of the games!

Bookwork (15 mins): Reading exercises on pg 30

1. Talk about the people in the pictures- "Who are they?" What are their main jobs?" Have students guess what other job they do, then listen and read.
2. Ask students to take turns reading out loud. Answer T/F questions.
3. Students read a final time silently, then answer the questions in ex 3.

BREAK (10 mins)

Introduce the topic (15 mins): "Be" Negative formation worksheets from MES English

1. Use this series of worksheets to introduce to be verb in the negative form.
2. Pick and choose sheets/exercises as you like!

Bookwork (20 mins): Grammar exercises pg 31

1. Look at the chart and discuss the short form of "be" in the negative.
2. Students complete exercises individually 2, 3, 4 individually or in pairs. Check answers.
3. Writing exercise 5. Students each write three false sentences and one true. Read sentences aloud and have classmates correct. VARIATION- students write sentences then trade papers with a partner. Correct the sentences on paper.

Game (5 mins): Charades

1. Student mimes a job in front of the class.
2. Students make an affirmative and negative sentence to guess- "You're an actress, you're not a writer."

Wrap up (5 mins)

1. Students write down their homework: WB page 21
2. Students put things away, clean up their area and stand behind their pushed in chairs until dismissed.

Barry Fun English- Enough free stuff to be useful?

YOUR ADVICE NEEDED! Please read!

Hopefully you've found this blog useful over the last few weeks as you've started classes. If not, please let me know what I can do to improve it.

As I've also been using the site in my own planning, I've developed some mixed feelings about Barry Fun English. When I first stumbled upon this site, I thought "Holy cow, this is AMAZING!" There are flash games, a custom worksheet builder, a flashcard maker and more. Everything is bright colored and seemingly well-designed.

photo from Barry Fun English

Since I've started really digging in hopes of finding games and materials for my classes, I've found that most of the things I'm interested in are not free for all users. Ugh. In fact, it's difficult to figure out what's free at all without a lot of trial and error.

I'm excited when I see something perfect and then disheartened when I click on it and find it's for members only. The membership is not expensive at only $20 per year, but paying for this membership requires us to have a bank account outside of Morocco and money in that bank account that we're willing to spend on "business" expenses.

For those who are interested, I've also discovered that you can get a one month free membership by submitting two worksheets or powerpoints that you've created.

In the end, I need your advice. Should Barry Fun English be kept on the resource list? Are you finding things that you can use for free in your classes? To remove or not to remove- Please leave your answer in a comment below.

Spotlight On: American Inside Out Pre-Intermediate 1, Unit 2- Place (page 14)

This is a 1.5 hour lesson plan that corresponds to page 14 of Unit 2- Place in the American Inside Out Pre-Intermediate 1 course.

Screen time: 30 mins
Supplementary materials:  10 mins
Bookwork: 45 mins

Materials needed: Tape, countable/uncountable nouns written on pieces of paper, photocopy of the countable/uncountable sort for each student, countries and nationalities powerpoint downloaded

The Lesson:

Warmer (15 mins): Showdown Adjective Opposites game from ESL Games World to review adjectives from the last class

1. This game is a bit confusing at first, be sure to practice beforehand and know that you have the ability to deduct points manually if teams answer incorrectly.
2. I would modify the game slightly in order to review so/such and very/too from page 13. When a team answers the question given, tell them they can win an extra 10 points by putting the adjective in a sentence using one of the modifiers. 
3. Optional: Let teams earn up to 40 extra points by creating a sentence using each of the four modifiers. Other team can steal points if answering team is incorrect or can't use one of the modifiers.

Introduce the topic (5 mins): Brainstorm things that are countable or uncountable

1. Students learned this concept in regards to food in Elementary 3. Have them shout out food for each category.
2. Review the basics of countable/uncountable and explain that other nouns can also be divided.

Bookwork (20 mins): Grammar Exercises 1-3 on page 14

1. To begin, have nouns written on pieces of paper and stuck to the board with tape. Have students add the words into the appropriate category with the foods already listed.
2. Once they've been properly divided, students complete matching activity. Correct as a class.
3. Students complete the table with singular and plural forms and discuss the questions with a partner.
4. Question and answer about cities they know.

Game (10 mins): Countable/Uncountable sort from English Club

1. In pairs, students race to sort the nouns on this worksheet into the right category. First team to correctly sort is the winner!
2. Review new vocabulary before to make the game easier or after to keep it challenging.

Bookwork (10 mins): Vocabulary & Pronunciation exercises 1&2 page 14

1. Students work together to fill in the missing countries and nationalities and then identify the stressed syllable.
2. Listen, check and repeat
3. Exercise 2

Quiz/Discussion (15 mins): Countries and Nationalities Powerpoint from Busy Teacher

1. Show a picture from the powerpoint and ask students to name the country and the nationality.
2. Follow up questions: Would you like to go there? What kinds of food do they eat? Do you know anyone from that country?
3. Optional: Make it a competition by dividing the class into teams and alternating who guesses. Other teams can "steal" if the guessing team is incorrect. Assign points for correct answers.

Bookwork (10 mins): Speaking activities 1 & 2 on page 14

1. Students discuss statements in small groups and then create their own using the nouns in the box. 
2. In the end groups share their statements and classmates agree or disagree.
3. Variation: Put the nouns on pieces of paper in an envelope. A student draws a noun and creates a sentence. Class agrees or disagrees.

Assign homework from the workbook!

Any lesson requests?

Hi all!

Hope the semester has started out well and that you're finding the resources here to be useful.

I'm about to start a second round of sample lesson plans for the "spotlight on" series. I hope to post three new ones by the end of the month and am happily taking requests!

Any particular level or unit that you'd like to see? Keep in mind that it'll be a week or two, so you'll want to flip forward in your book a bit.

If there are no requests I will choose at random.

TTFN
teresa

Tips & Tricks for Easy Blog Use

As discussed in our training session, being able to easily find and navigate this blog is a huge key to using it easily and successfully!

For easy reference, the first step is to create a bookmark button for the blog on your toolbar. To do this, click on the star/arrow button to the right of the Favorites button.

Once you're navigating within the blog, you'll find that clicking on a link replaces your current webpage, thus requiring lots of "back" button use and more often than not taking you far from where you started with no easy way to return. To combat this issue you have two options.

1) Use the toolbar button you just created to return to the blog's home page. You can also make buttons that link directly to the individual class resource pages.
2) Push "control" while selecting a link in order to open it in a new tab. This way when you're finished with the new site, you can close it and pick up just where you left off. This also allows you to have many sites open at one time for easy reference.