| aidemia--modules-lessonstartideas_type | Give a creative idea how to begin a lesson |
| Which subject | Spanish |
| What age group | Year or Grade 9 |
| What topic | getting to know you |
| Quantity | 1 |
| Any other preferences |
To create an engaging environment for students to practice their Spanish speaking skills while getting to know one another.
Kick off the lesson with an interactive “Speed Friending” activity, reminiscent of speed dating, where students will rotate in pairs and ask each other personalized questions in Spanish. This will not only help students practice their conversational skills but also foster a sense of community in the classroom.
Setup the Classroom: Arrange desks or chairs in two circles (an inner circle facing an outer circle) to facilitate quick pair exchanges.
Introduce the Activity: Explain to the students that they'll be participating in a fun, fast-paced activity aimed at getting to know their classmates better. Emphasize that this is a judgment-free zone where everyone should feel comfortable speaking in Spanish, regardless of their proficiency level.
Provide an Example: On the whiteboard, write a few introductory phrases:
Model the interaction by demonstrating how to introduce yourself and ask follow-up questions like:
Hand Out Question Cards: Offer students a choice of questions they can ask their partners. Some examples could include:
Start the Timer: Set the timer for 2-3 minutes. During this time, students will engage in conversations with their partners using the questions provided. At the end of the time, have students in the inner circle rotate one seat to the right.
Reflection: Once the activity is complete, regroup as a class. Ask students to share one interesting fact they learned about a partner. This can be done in Spanish or English, depending on comfort levels.
Conclude the lesson by encouraging students to continue these conversations throughout the year, highlighting the importance of building relationships and communication, both in their personal and academic lives.
Students can write a short paragraph in Spanish about a new friend they made during the activity, incorporating key vocabulary and phrases from the lesson.
By starting the lesson with an engaging and interactive method, students will not only practice their Spanish but also build connections that will enhance their learning environment throughout the school year!