You have a full JHS１年生 class every week to do whatever you want, what do you do?

[toumasu]

This is the kind of the situation I have found myself in. It's quite fun to be able to teach/play whatever game I want with the students. I have been able to keep coming up with engaging material, but I'm always looking to improve as well. I don't think my JTE cares much about what I do, and it doesn't have to be textbook-related. I get the impression she lets this be the "fun time" where the kids can kind of take a break from all the soul-crushing textbook stuff.

So any good ideas for fun activities?

Thanks!

[Ini]

You have a full class once a week and you are going to waste it playing games? Why not develop your own syllabus to run in tandem with what they are doing in their regular classes but one that focuses on communication over grammar?

[toumasu]

You have a full class once a week and you are going to waste it playing games? Why not develop your own syllabus to run in tandem with what they are doing in their regular classes but one that focuses on communication over grammar?

i don't think i'm wasting it at all, especially considering i do a lot of review games. i do indeed focus on more communication style games vs. grammar, and i was hoping for some more in the same vein. what kind of activities have you run that have been successful in this regard? i'm interested to implement some things that have worked for other people

[soh]

Phonics, jeopardy, true or false, multiple choice quizzes or watching videos?

[5100]

Why not do a longer-term project instead of games?

[mothy]

Oh, is that how you say first year student in Japanese? I wish my Japanese was as good as yours, tomato_simon.

[toumasu]

Phonics, jeopardy, true or false, multiple choice quizzes or watching videos?

ok, good suggestions.

Why not do a longer-term project instead of games?

i'm totally up for that (well, will be if it's the same situation in april). have you tried something like this? or, what would you do, garak?

Oh, is that how you say first year student in Japanese? I wish my Japanese was as good as yours, tomato_simon.

it's ok, keep trying buddy!

[Penguee]

I only ever play games with my Junior High School students if they all get over 95 on their tests and are eating ice cream.

I would use the time for plays or role play activity, 20 questions, or stuff that rewards them for speaking in general.

I also agree with the idea to do a long term project. But games every week? And that's all? I'd try to flex your 'teacher' muscle and use it to really teach them something that would be interesting and may encourage them along in their English Learning careers. Teach about a town, a custom, a country or something like that. I know it's hard with a whole class, but I feel like you'd be able to figure something out. Even letter projects would be interesting.

[coop52]

I have the exact same situation. I planned out a syllabus that kind of follows the textbook, reinforcing whatever points they just learned in class. I have them do some sort of communication activity, usually some kind of role play. For example, when they were learning plurals, I had them do a shopping activity so they could practice saying stuff like "4 apples" as well as learn some common set phrases like "May I help you?". It's a good chance to give the kids extra time to practice important things that aren't covered all that well in the textbook, like prepositions of place and adverbs of frequency. And, it's the time when I do all the cultural stuff like Christmas songs.

[naginataonthebrain]

If you're interested in a long term project, maybe you should have them participate in Postcrossing? Gets them to practice writing and the postcards they receive will come from all around the world. Although this might be better for a smaller group of people (like a English club). It's something to consider though.

[jwkelley]

I would probably run a TPRS style course. Once they had a decent foundation I would do some bigger projects.