Korean Job Discussion Forums

[some waygug-in]

My co-teacher asked me to come up with an alternate game to the one in the book. On the spot, no time to plan anything so I suggested "Charades". We are doing the lesson on sickness, so I thought it should be easy enough.

I explained the game to the co-teacher and we tried it on the class.

We had 4 teams, but 1 team was very reluctant to come forward. (girls)

After class the co-teacher told me that the students are too shy to come to the front of the class.

She then asked if students in Canada were shy also.

I was too upset to answer. She just wanted to complain about the game.

The students may be shy, some of them .... but it's not like I'm asking them to give a speech or something. I just can't understand these lame excuses she makes for the students. Why even ask me for a game then?

[proustme]

Did you model the game for them to show them what they'd actually be doing? The teacher or you should have demonstrated one or two sicknesses by acting them out. Students don't know how to do an activity unless you show them how to do it. Did you form teams to give points? Even if you're on the spot, you have to teach them how to do something.

[some waygug-in]

They understood what to do, it was the 3rd. team that was reluctant, so 2 teams had already done the activity.

I'm just frustrated because it seems like my co-teacher is trying to make me look bad. She won't discuss anything regarding the lessons with me, puts me on the spot and then complains about the results.

[mulligc3]

I'm just frustrated because it seems like my co-teacher is trying to make me look bad. She won't discuss anything regarding the lessons with me, puts me on the spot and then complains about the results.

sounds familiar!!

[Fishead soup]

I tried to play taboo with the students I demonstrated how to play the game several times no one volunteered
" Fine no one wants to play the game. No skin off my back just more time for more choral repetition"

[kiwiinkorea]

My students don't like charades either although I have tried it and i do think it was a reasonable option.

As an alternative they are quite happy playing pictionary and drawing pictures on the blackboard.

Just agree with your co-teacher that your students might be too shy for charades and tell your co-teacher that it would be better if she gave you more notice and then you can come up with some better games.

However, if she refuses gather together some good games that require little preparation. Good examples would be the whispering game, running dictation (just quickly write some sentences on a piece of paper), pass something around while playing music and whoever has it when the music stops has to model the dialogue or answer a question, relay races either talking or writing, a bomb game (write A-Z on the board) get students to choose a letter and answer a question and then give them a random amount of points (write it down in advance e.g. A=3 B=bomb otherwise they will argue), bingo (always carry blank bingo sheets or just get your students to draw a grid in their book).

I hope that helps. I use the computers in the home rooms but sometimes if the home room teacher is away or the computer is broken I have to come up with a lesson without any materials so it is very useful to have some games and activities that you can do without any preparation.

[nomad-ish]

my middle school kids are alright with charades, but what i do is have a person from both teams up there, each with a different word to mime to their teams. it makes them feel better that they're not singled out in front of the class. overall though, it takes a couple turns before the kids start to relax and enjoy the game. if you have any really active or outgoing kids in the class, have them go first to break the ice.

[steveinincheon]

If they are 6th grade students, part of the problem is they have the 6th grade equivalent of senioritis. I have found 6th grade Elementary students are very difficult to teach once they pass 2nd semester midterms. On top of that they are all just hitting puberty so the boys are douches, and the girls giggly and embarassed to do anything in front of the class.
For the last 2 years now, 6th grade classes that had been wonderfully easy to teach have devolved into hellish torture sessions the last couple months of the school year.

If the students have never done similar activities in front of the class, it may be difficult to convince them or your coteacher that its a good idea now. I've found if I introduce activities early in the school year or semester, both the students and my coteachers go along with it, but if I wait till later in the semester to try something new I have trouble getting my students and co to go along with it;

[calicoe]

[some waygug-in]

Thanks for the suggestions. I had thought of Pictionary, but I didn't think she would allow it. She always seems to say no to anything I think is good, or she finds some way to mess it up so it doesn't work.

I guess I should just go with my first thought more often.

[goesslry]

no cherades???? Ok, let's write sentences based on the lessons 10 times each.


They'll play the game enthusiastically then.

[Skippy]

It is also timing. Having students who will act or present or come to front actually may take time. I think once students get used to how a game is playeed and had the chance to try they will play. Give a few chances and some patience they will come out of their box. Try with pictionary first then once they really get into the action then start doing charades.

[ReeseDog]

[Fox]