The Dynamic ClassroomGet your kids excited about speaking in English class!

Simon Says This game is usually played to review

body parts. It can be adapted for any age to

practice action verbs. This is a great way to get wake your

students up at the beginning of class!

Problems My students do not have motivation in

English class. They do not pay attention. The students misbehave during English

class. It is difficult to get them to participate or

speak.

SOLUTION: INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES!!

Movement, Auditory, Visual Motivation Participation Multi-Faceted Learning

Speaking Listening Reading/Writing

Movement Getting students out of their seats helps

them stay attentive. Active students are more likely to

absorb the material presented to them. Remember: Many students stay seated

for the majority of their school day. If they are able to move around during your class, they will look forward English class!

Auditory This is the first way our brain learns

languages. A language learner needs to HEAR a

word at least 57 times before they can memorize and recall it.

Listening and speaking should be the focus of every class activity.

Visual Students who can visualize an image with a

new vocabulary word are 73% more likely to learn the vocabulary.

Especially for elementary school, pictures are a wonderful way to teach new words with having to translate.

Pictures should be used in place of words for all ages below 2nd grade.

For older students, words should be provided WITH pictures.

Movement, Auditory, Visual REMEMBER: The smaller number of

teaching methods you use, the smaller the number of students who are actually learning.

For example, if I only use the Visual teaching method, only 33% of my students are learning.

Motivation There are several ways we can motivate

our students to learn English. Play games Allow students to work with their friends Make the activity a competition

Participation When activities only allow 1 or 2

students to participate at a time, the rest of the class will be bored.

Try to choose activities that require ALL students to participate.

Make sure all students get a chance to participate by using popsicle sticks or name cards.

Multi-Faceted Learning Each activity should use AT LEAST 2 of

the 3 language learning competencies. Listening Speaking Reading/Writing

Activities that only use 1 learning competency are a waste of class time.

EXAMPLE GAMES

Mar y Tierra / Land and Water Divide the class in two groups. Draw a long line on the floor and write 2

similar vocabulary words at the top. As you say the word, students must

jump to the correct side of the line. When a student messes up, they must

sit down.

Checklist Movement? Auditory? Visual? Motivation?

Game Group work Competition

Participation? Must be the majority of the class

Multi-Faceted Learning? (2 of 3) Speaking Listening Reading/Writing

Ball Pass Students form a large circle. Teacher closes their eyes. While singing, counting, or playing music,

the students pass a ball around the circle. When the teacher says “STOP”, the

student with the ball must answer a question. Younger children: Use pictures Older children: Use only speaking

Checklist Movement? Auditory? Visual? Motivation?

Game Group work Competition

Participation? Must be the majority of the class

Multi-Faceted Learning? (2 of 3) Speaking Listening Reading/Writing

Vocabulary Race Divide the class into 2 groups. Each group

forms a line facing the board. LISTENING: Place all vocabulary words or

pictures on the board. Students must race to board and touch the correct word. The first student wins.

SPEAKING: Show students a vocabulary picture. The first student to say the word wins.

Keep track of points for each team and play until all students have participated.

Checklist Movement? Auditory? Visual? Motivation?

Game Group work Competition

Participation? Must be the majority of the class

Multi-Faceted Learning? (2 of 3) Speaking Listening Reading/Writing

Word/Sentence Building Game EXAMPLES FIRST SPELLING: Give every student a letter. They

must race up to the board to spell the word you say.

SENTENCES: Give a word from the vocabulary you are practicing. Give several students the grammatical words as well (the, and, is). Place a picture on the board. Students must race to the board to write the correct sentence, reading it when it is done.

Example 1

Example 2

Checklist Movement? Auditory? Visual? Motivation?

Game Group work Competition

Participation? Must be the majority of the class

Multi-Faceted Learning? (2 of 3) Speaking Listening Reading/Writing

YOUR TURN Movement? Auditory? Visual? Motivation?

Game Group work Competition

Participation? Must be the majority of the class

Multi-Faceted Learning? (2 of 3) Speaking Listening Reading/Writing

PRESENTATIONS Movement? Auditory? Visual? Motivation?

Game Group work Competition

Participation? Must be the majority of the class

Multi-Faceted Learning? (2 of 3) Speaking Listening Reading/Writing

Quiz, Quiz, Trade Write questions on one side of the paper and

answers on the back. Each student gets one paper. Turn the lights off and ask the students to walk or

dance around. When you turn the light on, they must talk to the

person closest to them. Each student asks their question, listens to the

response of their partner, and switches. After both students have spoke, they switch cards. Continue the game for several rounds.

Contact Information Lica. Lindsey Pothast

Peace Corps Volunteer Teaching English Coordinator, Chiriquí La Escuela Primaria, El Porvenir lapothast@gmail.com

THANK YOU!!