Activity 19- Odd One Out!

Does everyone in your class have a mobile device? If so, here is a speaking activity that requires zero preparation and a lot of critical thinking!

Level: intermediate/advanced

Language skill: speaking
Device needed: any device with images stored in the photo libraryNumber of devices needed: one per student

Instructions:

Sit students in groups of 3/4 and explain that for this activity they are going to be using the images from their photo library. They should randomly pick out any image from their device`s photo library (an object, a place, food, people, a situation, etc) and share them with group members. Then, they should discuss which image should be considered the odd one out and provide a reason for that.  Remind them that there is no right or wrong answers, anything is possible as long as they explain it properly! Have students do it a few times so that they can use different images. Be ready to witness how creative your students can get!

Source: Vinicius Lemos
Picture credits: Flickr (@thejustifiedsinner)

Activity 18- Caption Me!

Level: any
Language skill: writing
Device needed:  a cellphone or a tablet
Number of devices needed: one per student

Instructions:

Explain that  students can use an image from their photo library or they can use the camera in their devices to take a picture and then use it. The objective is that they look at their classmates` images and get inspired to write down a caption for it. After everyone has selected the image they want to use, allow them 10 minutes to mingle around and look at the images and write down the captions on their notebooks or digital notepads. Then, have students show their image to the whole group and elicit the captions they have created.
Examples of captions for the picture above (all coming from the little baby on the right):
" Oh god, give me patience!"
" Don`t stop the massage , it`s sooo relaxing..." 
" maybe if I keep my eyes closed I am going to keep everyone away from me."

Tips: 
a) Tell students to write down captions for 3 pictures only 
b) Instead of using an image from their photo library they use the internet and search for a celebrity picture
c) Suggest that students use a funny picture, creative and interesting captions may come more easily

Source: Vinicius Lemos
Picture credits: Flickr (@beyondrandom)

Activity 17- He Said, She Said

Here is another simple idea using the app POPPLET, but this time to practice Reported Speech

Level: Low-Intermediate/ Intermediate
Language skills: writing, reading and speaking
Grammar Topic: Reported SpeechDevice needed: a tablet
Number of devices needed: one per student
Internet connection: on (only for the photo search part)
App: Popplet Lite
Price: free/ $4,99 (Full Version)
Operating System: iOS

Instructions: 

Explain that students are going to create a poppet using the picture of a famous person and that they need to type in sentences of what that person is saying. Show them a model poppet and ask them to report what the famous person said (Ex: Se said  she had gone to the mall the night before/ She said she was going to eat chocolate that night/ She said she loved Ian/ She said she was beautiful.) Remind them to backshift all verbs since that is the main objective in this practice. Allow them some time to search for/take a picture and prepare the sentences. Ask them to work in pairs and report their partner`s sentences.

Tip: In case the internet connection at the school is not reliable, turn this project into a homework assignment. Another alternative is to have students take pictures of their classmates and make up interesting sentences to be reported. 

Source: Vinicius Lemos

*If you are not sure how POPPLET works , check out this YouTube video posted by Taylor Ness:

Activity 16- Celebrity Report

Level: any
Language skills: listening and speaking
Device needed: a tablet
Number of devices needed: one per student
Internet connection: on (only for the search part)
App: Popplet Lite
Price: free/ $4,99 (Full Version)
Operating System: iOS


Instructions:

Explain that in this project students are going to report some interesting information on their favorite celebrity using the app POPPLET (watch the app review video below in case you have never heard of it before). Show them a model beforehand ( Her first album was released in 1990/ She is married to actor and tv show host Nick Cannon/ Her mother was an opera singer/ Capri, in Italy, is her favorite summer destination/ Marilyn Monroe is one of her greatest idols/  She has had 18 number one hits so far/ She is going to be one judges for the 2013 American Idol.) and allow them some time to find a nice picture and search some data. Explain that they should not write the full sentences in the popples, only key words and phrases.  In pairs or small groups, students show their popplets and do their celebrity report.

Tip: In case the internet connection at the school is not reliable, turn this project into a homework assignment. Another alternative is to have students take pictures of their classmates and interview them in order to collect interesting information to be reported. 

Source: Vinicius Lemos

Popplet YouTube video review by Taylor Ness: