aidemia--modules-lessonstartideas_type	Give a creative idea how to begin a lesson
Which subject	Spanish
What age group	Doesn't matter
What topic	Mi tiempo libre
Quantity	1
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Lesson Starter: Mi Tiempo Libre

Introduction: The "Mystery Box" Activity

Objective

To engage students in the topic of leisure time (mi tiempo libre) in Spanish through an interactive and fun activity that sparks their creativity and curiosity.

Materials Needed

• A box (or bag) decorated in a fun, colourful way
• Various objects or pictures representing different leisure activities (e.g., a tennis ball, a book, a paintbrush, a film ticket, etc.)
• Paper and pens for each student

Procedure

1. Set the Scene Begin the lesson by presenting the "Mystery Box" to the class. Tell students that inside the box are items related to leisure activities that people enjoy during their free time.

2. Unveiling the Mystery Invite students to come forward one at a time to pick an item from the box (without looking). Each student should hold their item up for the class to see, while you encourage them to guess what the object represents and how it relates to leisure time.

3. Discussion After each student reveals their item, facilitate a class discussion:

   • ¿Qué es? (What is it?)
   • ¿Qué te gusta hacer en tu tiempo libre? (What do you like to do in your free time?)
   • Encourage students to respond in Spanish, using complete sentences. For instance, if someone picks a book, they might say, "Me gusta leer libros en mi tiempo libre." (I like to read books in my free time.)

4. Creative Writing Prompt Once each student has had a turn, provide them with paper and pens. Ask them to choose one item from the "Mystery Box" that resonates with them and write a short paragraph in Spanish describing:

   • What the activity is
   • Why they enjoy it
   • How often they do it

5. Sharing and Closing Invite a few students to share their paragraphs with the class, creating an environment where peers can learn more about each other's interests in leisure time activities.

Conclusion

Wrap up the activity by summarising the various leisure activities discussed. Remind students of the importance of having hobbies and how they can express their likes and dislikes in Spanish. This engaging start sets a positive tone for the day's lesson on "Mi Tiempo Libre" while encouraging language practice in a supportive environment.

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This interactive beginning not only piques students' interest but also provides a foundation for the exploration of vocabulary and phrases related to leisure activities in subsequent parts of the lesson.