what do you do for a relaxed day?

[ruraljeolla]

I am at a small rural high school.  The high school students I work with have just finished their tests.  The co-teacher and I agree tomorrow will be a relaxed, fun day, devoted only to conversation (no reading, no writing; no speaking exercises nor listening exercises).

So, we will offer hot chocolate. Maybe have decks of playing cards ("one card") and Jenga; do some pictionary.

I might throw in some youtube videos to talk about briefly.

I'm supposed to make it interesting.

While I usually try to engage them in dialogue and conversation as a group, only a few of them venture to make more than the single-word response, if they make any response at all.

When I think of videos that capture interest in a strong way, I think of the two-headed snakes; or snakes constricting rabbits; puppies and kittens playing together; dogs doing agility trails.

Any suggestions?

[Bittens5]

The game "two truths and a lie" always work really well for me.  You could also try "never have a I ever."

[tovarivera82]

My kids LOVE mission cards. Things like "Tell me five nouns." or whatever. I have a whole deck of them I keep on hand for days like this.

Also ~ taboo is usually really fun, and you can find lots of words online.

[tovarivera82]

Oh ~ we also have conversation starter questions. Things like "Do you believe in aliens?" and such. Those usually go over really well. 

[kaymac]

How did you make your mission cards? Sounds like it could be fun.

[hankmcmasters]

im curious about these mission cards too.

are these examples of what you use?

"use a greeting other thank 'fine thank you and you?'"

"tell me the names of four countries that start with the letter A"

i'd like to see what else you use, it seems like a great idea 

[Kingeudey]

My students absolutely *love "What's Yours Like?".  If you have 9 students (example) give the clue / word to 8 of them.  The one excluded then has to ask each one, "What's yours like?" and the students then give a short description.  It can lead to some weird double entendre moments, but the students love it and it's fun even at low level.  Example:
Word: Your pillow.
8 students know one does not.
What's yours like?
1st student - It's soft.
What's yours like?
2nd student - I like to touch it.
What's yours like?
3rd student - It smells funny.
What's yours like?
4th student - It can be sweaty.

[nancy]

My students really enjoy Taboo. I printed the cards that I found somewhere on this website. I give each student a card and they choose who will answer it from the students who have their hands up. At the end the student who collects the most cards for right answers wins. The boys in particular really like this - I was astonished! The fact that the students run the class time makes it a relaxing day for the teacher!

[gmhahn]

I also play Taboo, except as a team game where teams earn points together. I have been making my own cards now since the students love it and I plan to play it more often.