UNDERSTANDING POPULATION GROWTH. Classroom Activities to Reinvigorate Senior High School Language Learning
UNDERSTANDING POPULATION GROWTH
Classroom Activities to Reinvigorate Senior High School Language Learning
In the dynamic world of senior high school language teaching, keeping students engaged and motivated is often a thrilling challenge. As educators, we understand that the key to successful learning lies in creating an atmosphere where students are not just participants but active enthusiasts. Here are some classroom activities designed to ignite the language classroom, bringing energy, excitement, and enthusiasm to senior high school students. From interactive games to creative exercises, we’ll delve into ways to make language learning an enjoyable and enriching experience.
UNDERSTANDING POPULATION GROWTH
Target Group: All grades
Difficulty Level: Conversational
Activity Objective: To practice listening to instructions and engage practically with the possible effects of population growth.
To practice thinking critically about a world issue and compose an essay expressing student’s own ideas.
UNDERSTANDING POPULATION GROWTH – Procedure
STEP 1. Students will make a large circle with their desks that is large enough for most students but not all.
STEP 2. Write the word overpopulation on the board.
STEP 3. Write the headline “7 Billionth Person Born on Halloween”. Use the talking ball to ask students about their reactions to this headline.
STEP 4. Tell students that each of them represents 200,000,000 people and that the center of the circle is Earth. Explain that over the course of 11 minutes we will have the world’s population represented in the circle. Students should stay outside of the circle until they have been asked to go
inside.
STEP 5. Set out a jug of water and some snacks making sure that there is NOT enough for everyone.
STEP 6. Over the course of 11 minutes, have students move from the outside of the circle to the inside making sure to add them more slowly for the first 7 minutes and then more rapidly for the remainder of the time. Students should take a cup of water and a snack as they enter the circle until the “sustenance” runs out.
STEP 7. While students are moving into the circle, check in with them asking if they have enough room to build a house or if they got enough food to eat.
STEP 8. When all of the students are in the circle do a final check. At this point, the students should be tightly packed into the small space. Explain how some communities are experiencing the effects of overpopulation such as lack of food, and space and how the costs to build have become more expensive because of these changes. Give real-life examples for context.
STEP 9. Students should return to their seats to complete a comprehension/reaction worksheet
Materials and Preparation
- Snacks (enough for most of the students but not for all of them.
- Jug of water
- Paper drinking cups (enough for most of the students but not for all of them)
- Desks to create a “Earth” in the middle of the classroom
- Worksheets for comprehension check and reaction.
Suggestions and Advice
Make sure that all students understand the significance of the activity and how it relates to population growth. This activity was done as an introduction to a current issues news article about population growth which the students were to read in the following class. Try and prepare the
food materials ahead of time so that you can begin making arrangements for the activity promptly.
Be sure to bring enough candy for all of the students so that the ones who did not receive candy during the activity can still receive some at the end of the activity. This activity is best done with groups of 20 or more.
Classroom Activities to Reinvigorate Senior High School Language Learning
As we conclude this exploration of classroom activities to energize the language class for senior high school, we’ve witnessed how a well-crafted lesson plan can transform a mundane classroom into a vibrant hub of learning and creativity. These activities not only boost language skills but also foster a sense of teamwork, critical thinking, and cultural appreciation. By implementing these engaging methods, educators can ensure that their senior high school students are not just fluent in the language, but also passionately engaged in the journey of language acquisition.
So, let’s continue to infuse our classrooms with energy, enthusiasm, and a love for language, empowering our students for a brighter future.
Also check out these articles on teaching, teaching methods and teaching tools
