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Post by Shane on Dec 13, 2005 22:40:30 GMT 7
Okay, as far as I know, I've got about two more weeks left of my teaching career. Classes finish at the end of December, and after the winter holiday, I'm off back to Blighty. My five-year stint as a children's entertainer teacher is over. My question is this: I want to make the last classes at my middle schools special in some way. I don't want to do the same old boring crap - open Powerpoint, talk to myself whilst the kids amuse themselves, and tell them to 'shhhh!' every 15 seconds.  I want to do something that will make it fun for all of us, and will hopefully keep them entertained one last time. I'm looking for some suggestions on what I can do. I've done a 'Friends' class before, as well as a 'Simpsons' one, so if I do that again, they might not be so interested. Having taught them for such a long time, I've pretty much covered just about every topic I can think of (I've never had books; always had to make my own stuff up). These are classes of around 60 kids, aged 13-15 (Grades 1 & 2). As mentioned above, I can use powerpoint, as well as a TV, DVD etc. Come on guys and gals, let's hear your ideas! |
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Post by Edges on Dec 14, 2005 6:42:49 GMT 7
Age 13-15.... hmmm. 1. How about discussing the differences in dating rituals between China and the West? Or simply a fun discussion about awkward first date experiences and have the students chime in? 2. Discussing generational differences between their parents (or grandparents) and them, talk about funny things like how they didn't have flushing toilets back then.... oh wait, we're talking about China, I forgot they're still rare  |
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Post by Lotus Eater on Dec 14, 2005 7:55:53 GMT 7
Put half a dozen of them in charge of teaching the class - let them come up with the work and ideas!
Put them in groups - maybe 6 per group, have them choose a favourite piece of music - and lyrics to it - then they have to translate the lyrics into English and sing it for you and the rest of the class.
Have them plan (and execute) a final goodbye party for their last lesson. Food, entertainment, music, logistics etc.
Figure out how not to cry.
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Post by con's fly is open on Dec 14, 2005 18:48:02 GMT 7
Dig up some stats on Western kids from the internet: drug use, hours a week spent studying/TV/online, percentage sexually actuve, etc. Discuss.
Dip into the controversial stuff. Politics!
And remind them that Brittany Spears supports Taiwan independence.
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Post by Shane on Dec 14, 2005 19:05:53 GMT 7
LMAO  Keep the ideas coming, peeps! @le: Do you mean cry with joy? |
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nolefan
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Post by nolefan on Dec 14, 2005 22:24:56 GMT 7
This is a serious advice: have a chocolate tasting class comparing the differences in taste between dark, white, milk and any other varieties you can think of. I'd suggest the small bags of Dove as they will be cheaper but that is one class where everyone will participate and they won't forget anytime soon.
Before you bring out the chocolate, you can review some of the related vocabulary related to the tasting.
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Newbs
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Post by Newbs on Dec 16, 2005 15:39:13 GMT 7
Lucky b@stard
Poor b@stard
Seriously Shane, go for broke. What have you got to lose?
Search google, the spoon (gasp) and even here (in the library I think, even bigger gasp) for games and activities.
Try some of the wierdest and whackiest games/activities/whatever that you can find. A few of them will fall flat on their face as lessons, but believe me, many will work and you and the kids will have a good time. "Leave 'em laughing" Who the hell said that? Wo bu zhidao. Am I drunk? Yes, I am.
I taught 13 to 14 yo in China, so despite appearances to the contrary, I may know what I'm talking about.
Is the missus' visa sorted out? Hope so.
When I've sobered up I'll post again. Strewth, I reckon I'm starting to sound like Chips.
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Post by Mr Nobody on Dec 18, 2005 17:24:23 GMT 7
There are some hot ideas, there. I was going to say some similar things. I think you have time for one of each, though. Go for it. I will try not to lose this thread- I am going to need it one day, maybe will do something like this for every school I go to.
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woza17
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Post by woza17 on Dec 19, 2005 20:22:35 GMT 7
For what it's worth trivia quiz is always a hit and the flyswatter game Blind date could work if they are a little bit more aware of the opposite sex.
I do try to make the games relevant to the language they have learnt, but it's surprising how much they do know when a competition is involved. I am sure you know all of this so I am sorry if I sound matronising
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Post by con's fly is open on Dec 19, 2005 21:03:25 GMT 7
How does Blind Date work for an English class?
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Post by Chips Downe on Dec 19, 2005 21:42:19 GMT 7
Hey Newbs... I haven't had a drink all day! On the other hand, it hasn't been a great day... h'mm...
I have a house full of baijiu... people give it to me by the carton! But I rarely drink at home... although this time last week I seem to remember (I've told you this before) it really makes quite a creditable screwdriver (or, leg-opener) Hey, one of my ex-students popped around today and told me his mate from another uni persuaded him to accompany him and a girl to a Karaoke room... evidently they put something in her drink (Naturally I expressed vehement disgust) and the other guy had taken some kind of aphrodesirac, but he claims neither worked. Can't say that surprised me, this being China...
He's a likeable kid (my pal), and his English is really quite good; I don't think I'll reform him, but... I hope I'm a voice of moderation.
My current students don't seem this horny...
I like the chocolate tasting idea... but I have such big classes...
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Post by Raoul Duke on Dec 21, 2005 21:42:55 GMT 7
Come in dressed as a Turkish prison guard and show gladiator movies.
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Post by Mr Nobody on Dec 21, 2005 23:47:33 GMT 7
Umm, Chocolate tasting wins over Raoul's idea. Unless, of course, it is the same thing.
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nolefan
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Post by nolefan on Dec 22, 2005 0:06:21 GMT 7
I've just used the chocolate tasting again today for my spoken English finals. Needless to say that the kids have never had such a big smile on their faces during a test.
I use Dove bars exclusively as it is one of the better chocolates available everywhere in China. I went to the supermarket yeaterday and got about 2Kg worth ( 44RMB/ 500g) of tiny bars. Some were pur Dark, other white as well as some of the milk and hazelnut varieties.
My writing final (sophomores) will be a comparative essay ( 500 words) between Dove dark chocolate and Mentos. My juniors have the option of writing a research paper about the differences and merits of French, Belgian and Chinese chocolate.
Next year, I'm moving to ice cream....
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Post by Mr Nobody on Dec 22, 2005 8:35:07 GMT 7
You can't get cadbury's where you are?
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Post by con's fly is open on Dec 22, 2005 11:57:55 GMT 7
You can't get cadbury's where you are? You can?  Not that Dove's second rate or anything. Can you get Cadbury's Caramel where you are? God caramel's hard to find. |
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Post by Mr Nobody on Dec 22, 2005 15:20:57 GMT 7
Dunno, haven't looked. I will, though, just to annoy you. Heh.
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Newbs
SuperDuperBarfly!
If you don't have your parents permission to be on this site, naughty, naughty. But Krusty forgives
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Post by Newbs on Dec 23, 2005 4:11:25 GMT 7
Am I missing something here? IMHO Dove $hits all over Cadburys. In fact $hit is probably better than Cadburys, although I'm not prepared to test that hypothesis. One of the big changes I've noticed in China, since 1996, has been the improvement in the quality of the chocolate. Now, you can get pretty decent stuff at a really cheap price.
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nolefan
Barfly
Quod me nutrit, me destruit!
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Post by nolefan on Dec 23, 2005 6:12:09 GMT 7
Cadbury's chocolates are everywhere in Tangshan. Even the tiny supermarket have them... they're a bit pricy compared to Dove....
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Post by con's fly is open on Dec 24, 2005 22:20:44 GMT 7
Dove doesn't have caramel-filled, though. But they do have white chocolate... |
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Post by Mr Nobody on Dec 26, 2005 5:31:52 GMT 7
Sorry to report that I failed to find caramel filled. I guess I will just have to gloat over the selection of cadbury's that is available. Of course, I didn't check the boxes of gift chocolates, which naturally have many available centres.
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Post by Dragonsaver on Dec 26, 2005 13:22:30 GMT 7
I bought some Cadbury's Choclairs. These are Cadbury milk chololate covered with delicious caramel. Those are the words on the jar, not my words.  |
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Post by Mr Nobody on Dec 26, 2005 13:41:54 GMT 7
We also have snickers here.
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Post by Shane on Dec 26, 2005 18:21:57 GMT 7
Okay, just breaking away from the chocolate-themed conversation for a minute to get back on topic (excuse the pun), I thought I'd report back on how my classes went.
First, the bad news. My main middle schools shat on me, timetable-wise. I was all ready to give nine fun-packed classes there this week, and then say an emotional goodbye to everyone. However, after my last class on Friday last week, I was told my classes were all finished - and I hadn't said goodbye to anyone! Some of the students there had been my students in primary school elsewhere, and so we knew each other very well. I was absolutely gutted when I was told I wouldn't be able to say goodbye, leave my email address etc. About ten minutes later though, another teacher found out that I'd have three classes there today, and THEN it would be all over. I still had a chance.
So for today's classes, I had a list of whacky games to play with them. I certainly wasn't going to teach the students anything in my last class, even if the school is a bit high-brow, and often regarded as the best middle school in Dalian.
First up, a story about a foreign teacher named Mr Right. I got all the kids to get their desks centred in the classroom, leaving space at the sides. As I read the story, if the kids heard either RIGHT or LEFT, they had to stand up and move one seat to that side. The kids at the end of the rows had to run around the classroom and join the other end of the row. It worked a charm, and the kids loved it.
Next up, another story. The kids were divided into three groups. Group one, upon hearing the name 'Betty', had to stand up, and strike a Betty Boop-style pose, shouting "Boop-boop-de-doo". Group two, upon hearing 'Popeye', had to stand and shout "Well blow me down!". Group three, upon hearing 'Wolf', had to do a wolf cry. I read the story, and the kids stood and shouted. again, it went down very well.
Next, was the time-tested 'Guess the word'. On the screen were single words, and the students had to describe those words to a boy & a girl, standing in front of the screen. Both the boy and the girl were given a prize by me, either a DVD, computer game, or a book. They were well happy.
Finally, I took a game from the TV show, "Whose Line Is It Anyway?". Two students stood at the front, one behind the other. The one at the front put his/her arms behind them, and the one at the back put their arms through. The front student read from a screen - instructions on how to draw a horse. The person at the back had to guess where the paper and pen were, and try to draw. as you can imagine, it was a hoot. I'll try to get some pics up for ya all to check out.
Finally, I managed to get around all my classes, and explain to them why I hadn't said goodbye. I left contact details, and everyone was happy, especially me. I really hate it when a school's classes finish, and I didn't get the chance to say goodbye.
As it stands, I only have one school - out of the seven I teach at every week - that has finished without me saying goodbye. It's a middle school, and it's no great loss; the kids mostly ignored me and did homework anyway, so they probably won't even notice I'm not teaching them any more! All of my other schools still have classes this week, so I can finish in the right fashion.
It's a strange feeling - after this Friday, I have no work! I'm free to sit at home until I leave for the UK at the end of February. I'm gonna be so bored...
Actually, scrub that. I won't be bored. In just over four weeks, I have to have a wedding ceremony, attended by over 800 people (how will I survive the drinking?!!), and then I have to pack my whole house into a crate and ship it home. I'm gonna be very busy.
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Post by Chips Downe on Dec 27, 2005 10:33:00 GMT 7
Anything involving moving the desks around is always a good filler!
Loved several of your ideas actually... I know what you mean though, it's disappointing to miss out saying goodbye... but they have this knack of totally freaking you out and then it all turns out to be wrong anyway and things work out fine! - it's happened to me too...
I always forget to organise photos early enough - I won't next time... now I realise they'd love a picture to take home and show their families, and prints are cheap... if only you didn't have to buy a roll of 36... unless I waste half the film so I can get it developed early; I suppose I could afford that!
Tell me, do you worry when they strike - how shall I put it - well, you know, you agree to have a photo with them and they run up and throw their arms around you and put their head on your shoulder... I know for sure what my cynical friends back home would think... or they line up and kind of look as though they want you to put your arm around their neck and do the goofy smile...
I chicken out half the time, although I'm trying to achieve a politely warm cuddle...
I know I'm not a bad man (well, not disgusting - not with my students anyway...) but I have just got some photos back last night and a couple make me fell nervous! It's a boy who may even - possibly be gay, but he has never touched me otherwise... and there was at least one other person present (taking the photo) but we're on the sofa and he's kind of lying in my arms... but it was only for the photo! Yii. Maybe I shouldn't give him that one... God they're sentimental sometimes aren't they!
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