What do you think of the weather?

We began an ongoing activity in class today that simultaneously focuses on grammar points, discussing certain topics and following concrete directions. Each student has a grid with two squares horizontally and five squares vertically. To the left side of the grid, there are lines. The students have to number the lines corresponding with five grid spots. They then write their name in the first square on the top. They have to ask their partner how to spell their name and write it in the top right square.

The activity revolves around asking and answering questions about a certain topic. Today’s topic was the weather. I wrote a question on the board, and they would have to copy it in the correct spot on their paper. We would then discuss how they would begin to answer the question, and how they would answer the question according to what their partner said, using he/she. One question was: do you like the weather in Minnesota during the winter? We would brainstorm how to answer the question: I do/don’t like the weather in Minnesota during the winter. He/she does/doesn’t like the weather in Minnesota during the winter. Another question was: what was the weather like in your country during January? The weather in _______ during January is ________.

The learners would then write the answer to the question in the square under their name, across from the question. After filling in their answer, they had to ask their partner, and transcribe their partner’s answer in the square next to their answer, under their partner’s name. It sounds confusing, and a few of the learners were perplexed at first, but it was good practice for following directions for things like forms or applications. During this time, I circulated the room, helping people and making corrections. After most people were finished, everyone in the room stood up and had to ask many different people the question. After everyone had talked with others, they returned to their seats and the process was repeated with a different weather related question. We’ll continue using this same grid with other topics in the weeks to come.