aidemia--modules-lessonstartideas_type	Give a creative idea how to begin a lesson
Which subject	English as second language
What age group	Year or Grade 7
What topic	What makes a good recipe?
Quantity	1
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Lesson Starter: What Makes a Good Recipe? 🍽️

Introduction Activity: "Recipe Detective"

Objective:

To engage students and activate prior knowledge about recipes while introducing the elements that make a good recipe.

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Materials Needed:

• A variety of recipe cards (both good and poor examples)
• Whiteboard and markers
• Sticky notes
• A timer

Instructions:

1. Setting the Scene: As students enter the classroom, display a tantalising image of a beautifully presented dish (e.g., a chocolate cake or a vibrant salad). Ask students to share their favourite dishes and what makes them delicious.

2. Present the Challenge: Tell students they will be "Recipe Detectives" today! Explain that they will investigate what makes a recipe good or bad, and by the end of the lesson, they will know how to write their own outstanding recipe.

3. Group Activity:

   • Divide the class into small groups of 4-5 students.
   • Hand out mixed recipe cards (some well-written and others poorly written).
   • Give each group 10 minutes to review their cards and decide which ones are good and which ones need improvement.
   • Each group should prepare to present one recipe they believe is good and explain why, using sticky notes to highlight key features.

4. Discussion: After the groups have presented, facilitate a whole-class discussion. Ask them to identify common elements in the good recipes. Record their responses on the whiteboard.

   Prompt Questions:

   • What clear instructions did they include?
   • Were the ingredient quantities exact?
   • Did they include cooking times and temperatures?
   • How did the presentation influence your choice?

5. Wrap-Up: Conclude the activity by summarising the key features of a good recipe identified by the students. Tell them that throughout the lesson, they will learn how to write a recipe that is not only informative but also easy and fun to follow!

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Transition to Lesson Content:

Have students open their folders or notebooks, as they will begin writing their own recipes, incorporating the elements they discussed. Remind them: "A good recipe can make anyone a chef!"

Outcome:

By the end of this lesson, students will understand the fundamental characteristics that make a recipe good and will apply this knowledge to create their own engaging recipes in English.