This is one of our Tokyo JET Lesson PlansFeel free to use, modify, and upload your own lessons!
|
Description[]
Around the World is a fun activity for students to test their perceptions of different countries. Students get in teams, and each team receives one small magnet. The JET/JTE projects a fact about an unnamed country on the board, and the teams discuss which country it might be. Then the JET/JTE projects a map and sets a timer, and one person from each team approaches the board and places their magnet on the country they think is the answer. The JET/JTE then shows the answer and gives points to teams whose magnets are within the circle.
Around the World requires a lot of listening (mostly for hints) and reading, and it's a great way of keeping the attention of a large or active class. Students have gotten extremely competitive and invested, especially when the JET/JTE is about to reveal the answer.
Materials[]
- Small multicolored magnets (in a class of 40 people, I usually need 10 unique magnets)
- A computer, projector, and screen
- An Around the World powerpoint
- SAMPLE: File:Global Food.pptx -or- File:Global Food.pdf
- SAMPLE: File:New Year's Around the World.pptx -or- File:New Years Around the World.pdf
- SAMPLE: File:Valentine's Day Around the World.pptx -or- File:Valentines Day Around the World.pdf
Procedure[]
- (5 min) Students get into teams of 3-4 people and choose one magnet to represent their team. The JET/JTE writes the team names on the board. (I find it helpful to name each team after the color of their magnet.)
- (2 min) Show the first question, which gives a fact about a country without naming the country. (E.g. "This country's national animal is the bald eagle.") In their teams, students discuss which country it might be. The JTE can give translations or hints as necessary.
- (2 min) The JET/JTE goes to the next slide, which shows a blank world map, and sets a timer for 2 minutes. Teams have two minutes to come to the board and place their magnets on the board, indicating which country they think the answer is.
- (1 min) The JET/JTE reveals the answer by pressing the "next" button, which reveals the animated answer and circle. The JET/JTE award points to teams whose magnets fall inside the circle.
- Repeat according to how many questions you have. As students get into the routine, a single question may take 2-3 minutes instead of 5.
Variations[]
- If no team is correct, announce it. Reset the clock for half their usual time and tell students to try again.
- Towards the end of class, give double or triple points for correct answers.
- For a challenge: Ask students to explain their reasoning to the JET/JTE before they're allowed to put their magnet on the board. (This may take a lot more time, depending on the number and size of your teams.)
- For an easier time: Include hints based on geography or wording. (E.g. "This country gives flowers called snowdrops on Valentine's Day. Hint: SNOW.")
Sources[]
Heroes Valentine's Day 1 Valentine's Day 2 Valentine's Day 3 Valentine's Day 4