aidemia--modules-lessonstartideas_type	Give a creative idea how to begin a lesson
Which subject	English as second
What age group	Doesn't matter
What topic
Quantity	1
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Engaging English Lesson Starter for EAL Students

Lesson Title: Exploring Emotions Through Poetry

Objective:

To introduce students to the concept of emotion in poetry, enhancing their vocabulary and comprehension skills in English.

Lesson Beginnings:

Activity: Emotion Charades

Step 1: Setting the Scene

Begin the lesson by dimming the lights slightly and playing soft instrumental music in the background. This will create an engaging and reflective atmosphere, evoking a sense of curiosity and anticipation for the class.

Step 2: Introducing the Topic

• Teacher's Prompt: "Today, we are going to explore how poets express emotions in their work. But first, let’s experience emotions ourselves!"
• Write the word "Emotion" on the board and ask students to brainstorm a list of emotions (e.g., happiness, sadness, anger, fear). Encourage them to think beyond the basics and include more nuanced feelings like nostalgia or euphoria.

Step 3: Emotion Charades

1. Divide the Class: Organise the students into small groups of four or five.
2. Charade Preparation: Provide each group with a set of emotion cards, each card displaying a different emotion (e.g., ecstatic, melancholic, anxious).
3. Act it Out: One student from each group will pick a card and act out the emotion without speaking, while the other students guess the emotion.
4. Class Discussion: After each round, ask the groups to discuss how they expressed the emotion and what they think poets might do to convey similar feelings in their writing.

Conclusion of Activity:

Wrap up the charades game by highlighting the importance of understanding and expressing emotions in both speaking and writing. Link this to poetry by suggesting that just like they acted out emotions, poets use words, imagery, and rhythm to make readers feel a certain way.

Transition:

Now, smoothly transition into the main lesson by saying: "Just as we used our bodies to express feelings, poets use their words to touch our hearts. Let's delve into some poems and see how these emotions are woven into their verses."

This creative lesson starter not only captures students’ attention but also activates prior knowledge and prepares them for a deeper exploration of poetry and emotion in the subsequent part of the lesson.