EF1 UNIT 9

Dancing robots

Preparation: (Optional) Get a CD that has dance music.

Procedure: Students work in groups of 4-8. Have them stand up. If groups are standing in loose circles, it is ideal. Have them pretend to be robots. The can move their bodies, arms and legs, but not very smoothly. Now suggest they are dancing robots. They dance to the music, but with large, jerky movements. (If you are not using music, just clap a rhythm). Suddenly, stop the music and say, “Freeze.” They notice their body positions and think of something they could be doing in that position. In their groups, the take turns. They say, “This weekend, I’m going to do this.” And do the rest of the action (they no longer have the jerky action of a robot.). They pantomime the action. Partners guess what the action is. Continue for 3 or 4 bits of music. Of course, they can change the sentence to a different time: “Tonight…, next winter…., Someday…, etc.).
What's Going to Happen?: Video Scene Predictions

 

Preparation: Select a short sequence from a video, preferably something dramatic.

Procedure: Show the first part of the scene. The students work in small groups to discuss their ideas about the setting, who the characters are, their relationships, etc., and what they think will happen next: I think they are going to... I think he’ll probably... Maybe he’ll... Then each group joins another group and they tell each other their ideas. Finally, continue playing the scene so that students can see what actually happens.