Elective classes

[Paulm22]

I just did a little search for elective classes and the only posts are from 2009 in the building the HS section.

I am teaching in a JHS and have to teach a 2 nen sei elective class once a week. Do any of you teach elective classes? If so what do you do? Do you have a couple of different formats you rotate? Or do you try to stick to conversation English or what?
I have done things like planning a trip, asking for directions, going to the doctors, going to a restaurant etc. Usually I do some sort of writing activity, a game and a role play/speaking practise.
The only trouble is it can get difficult thinking of something new and fun every week. So would appreciate some feedback or lesson ideas.

Thank you please my friend.

[jeisensei]

Way back in the day I had elective classes. Basically what we did was stick to the Eiken. We taught everything the kids needed for Eiken and also a little conversation and some games thrown in for kicks.
At that time there was an elective class for low level and high level students so there was a lot more backtracking and teaching what the kids didn't understand from the book for the low level students.

[jessen100]

i dont do them anymore but in the past we have done some fun things.

The teacher at the time like cooking, so once or twice we found some recipies on the internet translated them from english and made whatever it was, like cookies or brownies.

We also did Eiken, and random other work that was too hard for regular class. for example an animal crossword puzzle i made with like 50 or so different animals that most people dont know.

We did a music lesson, where i basically just brought a bunch of different genres of music along with lyrics where there were some fill in the blanks to do as they listened.

We also watched movies in English, then they had to listen for words they know and write them down, but not many really did the assignment and just watched the movie. and most of them just looked at the subtitles and did backwards translation even though it was wrong like 50% of the time.

[Paul]

This one took a couple of weeks to do;

I split the class into groups of 4 or 5 and assigned them different areas of the entire school grounds and had them make English signs for all the rooms, laminated them, and let them go around the school and post all their signs in the proper locations. I mean just about everything, bathrooms, the individual classrooms with HRT names, the fire extinguishers, stairways, teachers room, student disciplinary room, library, etc etc etc. All in English. First had them write the room names on one sheet of paper prior to their final product.

Many of the kids are very artistic and the signs looked really neat. All you need is some construction paper, scissors, markers, and laminating sheets.

[jeisensei]

Yeah, making signs is always a good way to go. I did the same thing but not in sentaku. I did it in English club.

An other thing you could do for sentaku, if you are feeling lively, is have the kids use the English they know (and nothing more) to make an English play in groups. It takes many classes and it does work out the kids' knowledge of English.

---No matter what it says below I did not edit this post.

[Otaku]

HERE ARE SOME MORE IDEAS:

1. Jump Thru Hoops: It's a game on the site. A newer version of it I just loaded. It takes the students about 3 hours total to complete it.

2. To go along with the movie idea mentioned before, make a list of questions the students must answer about the movie has finished.

3. One time, I got together with some other ALTs and JTEs and we filmed a remake of Goldilocks and showed it to our students. Again, followed up with a list of questions the students had to answer after the video was finished. Needless to say, I had never seen the students laugh their asses off so much!

4. Besides watching a movie, doing Information Gap worksheets with song lyrics of popular artists the students like is pretty popular. My students are expecially into Lady Gaga right now.

5. Depending on the size of the class, you might need to split them up into groups of 4-6 students, but I used to run a memory game. It goes like this:
Student 1: What is your favorite sport?
Student 6: My favorite sport is basketball.
Student 1: <to Student 2> Student 6's favorite sport is basketball.
Student 2: Do you come to school on Mondays?
Student 1: Yes, I do.
Student 2: <to Student 3> Student 6's favorite sport is basketball. Student 1 comes to school on Mondays.
Student 3: What time is it now?
Student 2: It 11:10.
Student 3: <to Student 4> Student 6's favorite sport is basketball. Student 1 comes to school on Mondays. It's 11:12.

If your not already confused, you might notice a pattern. Basically, students sit in a circle. Game starts by one student asking the person on their right a question. When they receive the answer, they turn to the person on their left and tells them the answer. Turn shifts to the left. The list of explanations keep getting longer and longer. Does that make sense?

[Paulm22]

Thank you for some most bodacious suggestions.

[moolooman]

From nowhere he strikes with the Bill and Ted quote. なつかしいでしょう

edited to apologise to those too young to really appreciate Bill and Ted

[Paulm22]

We are the Wyld Stallyns!!

[jeisensei]

edited to apologise to those too young to really appreciate Bill and Ted

Too young to appreciate Bill and Ted!? That one comment just made me feel very old

[Jeimuzu]

Can anyone be too young here for Bill & Ted?

[Paul]

Can anyone be too young here for Bill & Ted?

Maybe not, but there is the other end ! I was living here when evidently that was popular and I have absolutely no idea who or what they are or were.

[jeisensei]

Can anyone be too young here for Bill & Ted?

Maybe not, but there is the other end ! I was living here when evidently that was popular and I have absolutely no idea who or what they are or were.

I don't feel so old any more. Thanks Paul!

[pakalikaPakalika]

I heard they might be coming out with another bill and ted movie..

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1648158/keanu-reeves-trying-make-bill-ted-sequel.jhtml

[Paul]

I don't feel so old any more. Thanks Paul!

You are welcome. BUT your day will come!

However you have the benefit of the internet to keep you up to speed, at least somewhat, I did not have that luxury back then.

[jeisensei]

However you have the benefit of the internet to keep you up to speed, at least somewhat, I did not have that luxury back then.

Did you have to walk up hill...both ways...in the freezing snow as well?
Just kidding!

[jessen100]

i believe that was a different thread jei

[jeisensei]

i believe that was a different thread jei

Maybe I am getting old if I am messing up threads