Activities that Work
Today I would like to share some activities you can use in your classroom. Spoiler alert these activities are not appropriate to be used in virtual environments however if you are creative enough you could probably adapt them and make them work to enhance the learning process regardless of the teaching platform you are using.
The activities I am going to share were not created by me but will strengthen your lesson plans, develop core skills, manage students' emotions, and have the potential to become excellent classroom strategies.
So here we go 👇
➡ The Listening Corner
This is an activity I use with my primary school students to work on emotions, help them familiarize themselves with their feelings, and develop an internal locus of control. It is about taking time to reflect on how they felt while learning new content, assessing what was particularly difficult/easy that week or when they felt happy and enjoyed the most. It is a great activity for them to get control of their emotions, work on self-expression, and recognize their feelings.
What do you need?
Resources: a big ear (draw or print it on an A3 paper), a “feeling box”, some paper, a pencil, a chair, a classroom corner, and some pictograms of basic emotions.
How does it work?
The teacher will place all the items on a corner and allow students to stop by and sit for a moment and reflect on their feelings. If there is a feeling your students want to let go they are welcome to write it on a piece of paper and put it in the feeling box. Students can also choose to talk to the big ear or share their feelings with another classmate. They are free to choose any of these approaches to complete this task.
➡ Blind Artist
An activity designed to build trust, creativity, collaboration, communication competencies, and let go of control. This is a great activity to use when teaching vocabulary (jobs, food, pets, places, school bag items, etc.). This simple game not only fosters trust but requires students to rely on what they do best and look for their true potential (communicate or draw).
What do you need?
Pictures, paper, crayons, and pencils.
How does it work?
Students will work in pairs. One student will select a picture and the other will draw it by following instructions. The “artist” is not allowed to see the original image. Students will decide which responsibility they will take based on their strengths. Once they have chosen their role the classmate holding the picture will provide directions and clues but can not use the actual word that defines the picture. To spice it up, the teacher may add some competition or a twist by asking students to use their non-dominant hand to draw. It is all about having fun and adding an edge to it.
➡ Get-to-Know-You Balloons
This activity is really useful when teaching students to introduce themselves or to allow them to mingle, communicate, share information, and interact with each other in the class. In the end, the teacher provides feedback and corrects mistakes without addressing anyone in particular to promote participation in future group activities.
What do you need?
Balloons, paper, pencils and pens
How does it work?
Provide an empty balloon, pen/pencil, and a slip of paper. Instruct your students to write a getting-to-know-you question on their paper. Students will put the question inside the balloon, blow it up, and tie the end. When everyone is ready, they will gather in the center of the classroom and toss their balloons up in the air at the same time (teacher may count to three or say go) allowing the balloons to mix. The teacher will give the signal for each student to catch one balloon and sit in a circle. Students will pop their balloons one at a time, read their questions, and share their answers with the classroom.
Sample Questions: How old are you? Do you have any brothers or sisters? What is your favorite fruit? What is your favorite movie? What is one fun thing you did this summer? What is your biggest dream? What do you want to be when you grow up?