aidemia--modules-lessonstartideas_type	Give a creative idea how to begin a lesson
Which subject	English as second language
What age group	Adult courses
What topic	Participles
Quantity	1
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Engaging Lesson Introduction: Exploring Participles

Objective

This activity is designed to introduce adult learners to the concept of participles in a dynamic and engaging way, making it relevant to their everyday experiences and encouraging interaction.

Introduction: "The Mystery of the Missing Participles"

Setting the Scene

Begin the lesson in a small group setting. Arrange the classroom in a circular seating format to facilitate discussion and engagement.

Mystery Box Activity

1. Preparation: Before the lesson, prepare a "Mystery Box" containing a few everyday objects or images related to various actions (e.g., a running shoe, a broken clock, a singing bird, a smiling face).

2. Engage the Class:

   • Introduce the "Mystery Box." Explain to the students that they are detectives for the day, tasked with solving the mystery of "missing participles."
   • Allow each student to come up and pick an item from the box without revealing it to the others.

3. Group Discussion:

   • Once everyone has their item, ask each student to describe the action associated with their object but without using the word for the action itself. For example, if someone picks up the running shoe, they might say, “This is something people do when they are in a big hurry.”
   • Encourage the other students to guess the action based on the description provided.

4. Connecting the Dots:

   • After the guesses, introduce the term “participle.” Explain that participles are used to create vivid descriptions and help convey more about the actions or states associated with the objects.
   • Write examples on the board, showing both the present and past participles (e.g., running, broken, singing, smiling).

Conclusion:

Wrap up the activity by highlighting how participles enhance descriptions and make communication more engaging. Transition into a more focused exploration of participles by stating that throughout the lesson, they will become "participles detectives," honing their skills in identifying and using participles in sentences.

Next Steps

1. Engage in activities that allow students to identify participles in texts.
2. Practice creating their own sentences using participles in context.

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This engaging start not only activates prior knowledge but also creates a collaborative atmosphere where students feel involved and interested in learning about participles.