This activity is flexible, can be changed to other lessons / vocabulary words.
It mainly practices reading, writing, and critical thinking of students in making their own sentences using the new words.
For this particular file, it is for JHS 1年 One World Textbook Lesson 9 pages 106-107 Vocabulary Words (16 words).
Print the first 2 pages of the file for each student, and then the group task sheets (1 word per sheet) 1 copy only.
Mechanics:
Group the students into 3-4 members per group.
In my class, we had 6 groups.
For the first round, we gave 1 group paper containing 1 word for each group. Thus, a total of 6 words in rotation.
The idea is that groups work on 1 word each, write their example sentence on the group paper, then when time is up (3 minutes), the group papers will rotate in a "carousel", so that all of the groups get a different word. They will then see not just the teacher's example sentence, but the other groups' sentences, to help them understand the word and make their own sentence.
At the end of 6 rounds x 3 minutes each - 18 minutes, 6 words have been learned and given example sentences by all groups.
Because for this lesson we had 16 words, we did another 6 rounds using the next 6 words. (And possibly continue for a 2nd class period to finish all words.)
Tip: We also started with easier words (so as not to overwhelm the students), and put related words in the same rotation. Example: arriving + soon, difference + between . We saw students use and combine 2 new words in the same sentence.
Activity:
1. Students will each be given an individual worksheet to write sentences on. This worksheet contains all the 16 words. There is a column for the meaning, and for the example sentence.
2. They will make groups of 4 students each.
3. Each group will receive 1 Task Sheet containing 1 word, an example sentence, and blank rows for each group to write a sentence on. (6 blank rows)
4. The group must find and write the meaning/Japanese equivalent of the word from the OneWorld textbook dictionary at the back of the book. They must also read the example sentence/s, to understand the meaning better.
5. The group will think of 1 new example sentence using the word.
6. They will write the sentence in their own worksheet, and in the Group Task Sheet.
7. After 3 minutes, the groups rotate the Task Sheet in a carousel (pass it to the group on their right) and work on the next group Task Sheet.
Notes:
JTE and ALT should go around and help correct minor grammar mistakes, or help clarify their understanding.
And make sure to write the corrections before the next group reads the previous group's example sentence, so that they are not learning the wrong way of writing.
Students had a lot of fun using their classmates' names in the example sentences, or writing outrageous sentences.
JTE and ALT should demonstrate at the start, and also emphasize that the sentence doesn't have to be truthful/realistic but it should make sense given the word's meaning, and they should practice their grammar lessons.