Category: Middle School

Level: Elementary +

Aim: to revise vocabulary or grammar; to practice word order; to practice fluency

Time: 15 minutes or more

Language skills: speaking, writing, reading, listening

Types of learners: auditory, visual

Material: an A5 blank piece … Read More ....

This idea can be used for any category to see who in the class likes X or Y. Here’s an example using pop groups.

Brainstorm some of the student’s favorite pop groups.

Write them on the board along with ways … Read More ....

As a warm up today I passed out playing cards to my 34 5th graders (face down on desk).

I had them place the cards on their foreheads without looking. I cautioned them that they were NOT to indicate (with … Read More ....

This is a recipe for any kind of theme.  

1. Ask the students, what are the top 10 X (example. Cities in the world – see as youtube video below and here as a gif book)

2. Give students … Read More ....

This video makes a great prediction or writing exercise. Just stop and pause and then students guess what happens next. Loads of possibilities to teach with this.

Get the video and teaching resources here. 

Find more videos like this on … Read More ....

This is a great game that is easy to start/finish.

1. Get students in small groups.

2. Select 3 categories. Ex. Food  / Country  /  Verb

3. Select a letter from the alphabet.   Ex. G

4. Students have to write … Read More ....

A simple video that makes a powerful lesson for talking about the future, resolutions, making lists.

This video is a nice compliment.

Ask students to brainstorm a list of 10 things they want to prioritize. Then play the video and … Read More ....

I had a nice time in a teacher training session with this video chant commercial. Just play and stop between the parts of the man/woman.  Divide the class in half with the woman / men repeating the line each time … Read More ....

One great recipe is to play a video with vocabulary content. Not flashcards but something real and beautiful.  Then, students either write or speak or brainstorm all the vocabulary from the video in the specific category you mention. 

An example … Read More ....

Everyone loves movies!

This is a great idea and a great way to have a very light but powerful lesson.

1.   Write some names of movies on the board.    Then give students 4 hints about one movie.  See if they … Read More ....