#1 Practicing Grammar with Puppet Pals
Intended students:
This is an intermediate-level grammar class in a private university in the US. The students are from South Korea, and are part of a year-long exchange program. The class is a 1.5 hour class that meets 3 times a week. The students want to be able to use grammar in their daily communication with native English speakers. These students have a smartphone and/or tablet, and regularly use them for class activities.
Time needed:
25-30 minutes
Objectives:
Procedures:
Preparation: Prior to the class session, have students download the Puppet Pals app onto their smartphone or tablet and watch the app tutorial. Make a sample video for modeling.
Step 1: After giving a grammar presentation on the modals should/shouldn’t, write the following scenario on the board. My roommate never does the dishes! I’ve already asked her several times, and I don’t know what to do! What should I do? What should I not do? Elicit several responses from students.
Step 2: Hand out sample questions to students.
Step 3: Give instructions—you will be making a Puppet Pals video using should/shouldn’t with a partner. You can make your own scenarios, or you can pick from the list (see references below). You will need to have 2 scenarios. Student A will first explain the situation and ask for advice, and Student B will give advice. Then, switch roles. You will have 10-15 minutes to make your video. After you’re done, send me the video via email, and swap videos with another pair, and check if they used should/shouldn’t correctly.
Step 4: Show sample video for modeling.
Step 5: Let students break up into pairs and start the activity. Monitor students and help with forming sentences if necessary.
Step 6: Have students email the video to you, and then pair up with a neighboring pair to swap videos and check their use of should/shouldn’t.
Optional: If time permits, students can volunteer to show their video to the entire class. The teacher can show the video on the projector. Students can discuss if they think the advice is good, etc.
Material:
List of questions
Sample Puppet Pals video
Evaluation:
References:
LETC Teacher’s Corner (Sample Questions)
http://letcteachers.wordpress.com/2012/08/10/esl-students-as-advice-columnists-learning-modal-verbs/
Puppet Pals App Description
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/puppet-pals-hd/id342076546?mt=8
Intended students:
This is an intermediate-level grammar class in a private university in the US. The students are from South Korea, and are part of a year-long exchange program. The class is a 1.5 hour class that meets 3 times a week. The students want to be able to use grammar in their daily communication with native English speakers. These students have a smartphone and/or tablet, and regularly use them for class activities.
Time needed:
25-30 minutes
Objectives:
- Be able to show understanding of the form, meaning, and use of the modals should and shouldn’t, specifically for giving advice
- Be able to give advice to classmates about relevant topics through speaking
- Be able to cultivate creativity through use of the app Puppet Pals
Procedures:
Preparation: Prior to the class session, have students download the Puppet Pals app onto their smartphone or tablet and watch the app tutorial. Make a sample video for modeling.
Step 1: After giving a grammar presentation on the modals should/shouldn’t, write the following scenario on the board. My roommate never does the dishes! I’ve already asked her several times, and I don’t know what to do! What should I do? What should I not do? Elicit several responses from students.
Step 2: Hand out sample questions to students.
Step 3: Give instructions—you will be making a Puppet Pals video using should/shouldn’t with a partner. You can make your own scenarios, or you can pick from the list (see references below). You will need to have 2 scenarios. Student A will first explain the situation and ask for advice, and Student B will give advice. Then, switch roles. You will have 10-15 minutes to make your video. After you’re done, send me the video via email, and swap videos with another pair, and check if they used should/shouldn’t correctly.
Step 4: Show sample video for modeling.
Step 5: Let students break up into pairs and start the activity. Monitor students and help with forming sentences if necessary.
Step 6: Have students email the video to you, and then pair up with a neighboring pair to swap videos and check their use of should/shouldn’t.
Optional: If time permits, students can volunteer to show their video to the entire class. The teacher can show the video on the projector. Students can discuss if they think the advice is good, etc.
Material:
List of questions
Sample Puppet Pals video
Evaluation:
- Students may get caught up with the visuals of the app. To make sure students focus on the grammar point more than being creative, let students know how much more time is left while monitoring activity.
- Some students may be confused with how to use Puppet Pals. The teacher can assign homework prior to class, where students have to follow the tutorial and create a simple video to become more familiar with it.
References:
LETC Teacher’s Corner (Sample Questions)
http://letcteachers.wordpress.com/2012/08/10/esl-students-as-advice-columnists-learning-modal-verbs/
Puppet Pals App Description
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/puppet-pals-hd/id342076546?mt=8