Korean Job Discussion Forums

blunder1983 · Joined: 12 Apr 2005

Hi guys,

Had my first day of summer camp today. Didnt go to well, I was teaching another teachers lesson (we've all contributed about 1/3rd of the stuff) which didn't engange the students much at all.

The biggest hurdle is the fact that the kids dont know each other. I am looking for a 10 minute exercise which will just introduce them to each other.

The one I'm favouring at the moment is the "introduce yourself as someone else" where u do a mini interview with the person and vice versa and then introduce yourself. However this might be a bit confusing. Any ideas on a quick way to reduce shyness in the classroom (and therefore greatly increase later participation)

Ta.

Chris

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

10 minutes isn't really enough time to do a down and dirty icebreaker.

There are plenty right here on Dave's, though.

blunder1983 · Joined: 12 Apr 2005

I know but there are lessons to follow as well so its tough. I guess we'll deviate a bit from the lessons Very Happy

schwa · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Yap

What age? How many?

Give them each a sheet of paper & have them write "My name is .." & give them a few other easy sentence starters. (I go to .. School, I like .., I hate .., My favorite .. is .., whatever.)

Then have them crumple them into balls & have a snowball fight ("snowfighting" in konglish). Let them run around for a couple minutes throwing paper balls at each other then call a halt & have everyone pick one up off the floor.

Choose a random student to open & read the paper they have. The student who wrote it identifies him/herself & goes next. There can be some funny stuff if you have a mixed group.

I forget who first suggested this (someone on this board) but I've used it & its fun.

bosintang · Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2005 6:12 am Post subject:

Great idea Schwa (or whoever gave it to you)!

When I'm teaching older children with intermediate skills levels or beyond, one activity I like to do is get the class to make a list of categories (I help them along). Let's say we choose Sports, Music, Movies, and a few other categories. Then within those categories I get them to tell me some famous people (or events, things if you wish). When I have enough people filled in each category (say 6), I then separate the children into groups and get them to pick a person out of the lists and tell the class about that person. Another option is to number the categories and people and have the groups throw dice to to determine which person they have to talk about.

You'll need more than 10minutes..but it's a summercamp. Who cares about the lesson.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

After the initial 'meet your classmates' activity, be sure to change partners a lot--two or three times each lesson. The more often the better for the first few days. It gets them past the shy stage faster.

bosintang · Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2005 7:05 am Post subject:

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

Here's some I use:

Get the students to put themselves in order. Tallest to shortest. January to Febuary birthdays. Homerooms.

Name chants. Go around a circle with clap clap blah blah clap cap blah blah (it's great because most kids have 2 syllable names). After that the group has to say the same. If we break the chant we have to start again.

Find your partner. Bring in a set of cards in pairs with animals written on them. The students then have to make the sound of their animal to find their partners.

For higher level students I bring in a roll of toilet paper. I ask the students to take some. After they are finished I tell them that for every piece of paper they have they must give a piece of personal information.

tomato · Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 2:40 am Post subject:

Hello, Blunder!

Here is one of my favorite icebreakers:

You could even have the kids supply the instrumental music by playing a primitive pipe organ. Click on this thread for details:

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=29112&highlight=

blunder1983 · Joined: 12 Apr 2005

You see, its things like this that make you really appreciate this board.

Thanks loads to all who responded. Alas I found out today we are having a different class each day so icebreakers wont help. I wish they'd planned a lesson for it at the start.

But I've taken all the ideas on board. So thanks all, I'm sure to use these in other things, they are all great

Chris

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994