A Likely Story

If you’re looking for a fun, interactive way to help young learners practice using articles (a, an, the) in English, “A Likely Story” is the perfect classroom activity! In this engaging lesson, students will create a story using phrase cards containing articles and then share their stories with classmates. This activity encourages creativity, teamwork, and grammar practice all in one go.

Objective:

To practice the correct use of articles (a, an, the) in context.
To foster creativity and teamwork in story creation.

Materials Needed:

Set of phrase cards containing various nouns with articles (a, an, the) for each group of three students. (You can create your own phrase cards with simple nouns such as “a cat,” “an apple,” “the dog,” etc.)

Procedure:

Divide the Class:
- Split the class into groups of three students.
- Give each group one set of phrase cards.
Choose a Story Genre:
- Ask the students to brainstorm different story genres (e.g., crime, horror, love, science fiction, etc.) and write them on the board.
- Have each group choose one genre they would like to create a story around.
Create the Story:
- Assign one student in each group to write the story.
- Students will choose as many phrases as they can from their phrase cards and incorporate them into the story.
- Remind the students that they must use the exact phrase on the cards, including the correct article (a, an, or the). Sometimes, they will need to use the same noun but with a different article.
- Example: “One day a man was walking out of the Ritz Hotel when he saw a black cat. The man had an excellent idea…”
- Walk around the room to monitor and provide any help needed with grammar or ideas.
Sharing and Feedback:
- Once the story is finished, pair each group with another group and have them read their stories aloud to each other.
- The students will give feedback on the use of articles and help correct any grammatical errors.
Story Presentation:
- After feedback, each group will take turns reading their story to the class.
- The class will then vote for the best story based on creativity, the use of articles, and overall presentation.

Why It Works:

Creativity Boost: This activity encourages students to be creative and work collaboratively.
Engagement: By creating their own stories, students become more engaged in learning and applying grammatical rules.
Grammar Practice: It provides an excellent way to practice using articles in real context, which helps reinforce grammar rules.
Peer Learning: The feedback session allows students to learn from each other and improve their writing skills.

Tip for Success:

Make sure the phrase cards contain a variety of nouns and article combinations, so students have lots of options to choose from. You can also adjust the difficulty level by adding more complex phrases or limiting the number of phrases they must use.

Conclusion:

“A Likely Story” is a fun and engaging way to practice articles in ESL classes. Students will not only improve their grammar skills but also enhance their creativity, communication, and teamwork.