Need some interesting ideas for post-exam classes

[incognito84]

My High School students just had their final exams this week but still have three weeks of classes left. The principal, aware of the fact that students and teachers usually slack off during this period (who could blame them) has declared that every teacher must focus on intensive material/exam review until Christmas time. We've also been instructed not to show videos or play games, though I might be able to get away with some short videos here and there as I'm less supervised than my co-workers are.

Anyway, does anyone know of any fun/easy lesson plans that would work well for this period? I'm not doing anything Christmas related with them because I don't like talking about a holiday I don't celebrate and one that they're never see hind nor hare of. The students are going to be very tired and hard to control during this period and annoyed that they won't be doing anything fun. Any suggestions?

[dporter]

I'm not doing anything Christmas related with them because I don't like talking about a holiday I don't celebrate and one that they're never see hind nor hare of.

You realize that Christmas is an officially recognized holiday in South Korea right?

My students tell me they've sang Silent Night in Church at Christmas.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_worldwide#Korea

South Korea recognizes Christmas as a national holiday. Christian and non-Christian Koreans engage in some holiday customs such as gift-giving, sending Christmas cards, and setting up decorated trees in their homes; children, especially, appear to have embraced Santa Claus, whom they call Santa Haraboji (Grandfather Santa) in Korean, Local radio stations play holiday music on Christmas Day and a few days before, while television stations are known to air Christmas films and cartoon specials popular in the Western countries. In addition, increasing numbers of stores and buildings are displaying Christmas decorations.

As in the West, Christian churches in Korea hold Christmas pageants and conduct special services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Young people especially enjoy the fellowship these observances provide; after the Christmas Eve services, for example, they go caroling to the homes of older church members, where they are usually treated to hot drinks and snacks.

South Korea is the only East Asian country to recognize Christmas as a national holiday.

[shambles2.0]

I stole this idea from a friend of mine and I'm hoping the kids get into it... we start classes back up next week also.

Since the classroom usually flows 1 way I've decided to let the students act as teachers.  In groups, preferably no larger that 4, they will have to decide on something to teach me about Korea.  It can be anything (school appropriate, of course)- a dialogue with important Korean phrases, the lyrics to a k-pop song, a Korean holiday, about a favorite movie/actor/singer, and maybe even a k-pop dance routine.  I'm hoping that letting them choose the material will ensure that they keep interested in the class while still having fun.  Of course, they must teach their lesson in English and each group member must speak at some point.

I'm considering letting them contribute questions towards a class quiz that I will have to take at the end but I'm not quite sure about that.  If I do this then they will just give the questions to my co-teacher and she can type it up.

I'm not sure how well this will fare since I haven't tried it out yet, but I think they will enjoy putting me on the spot with Korean phrases and such since I usually do that to them.  I intend to make this a 2 parter, the first day they plan their lesson, make posters, etc. and the second day they are each assigned a certain amount of time to teach me.

If you have any suggestions on how to fine tune this let me know.  I hope you like the idea (props to Amanda for giving it to me.)

[incognito84]

I'm not doing anything Christmas related with them because I don't like talking about a holiday I don't celebrate and one that they're never see hind nor hare of.

You realize that Christmas is an officially recognized holiday in South Korea right?

My students tell me they've sang Silent Night in Church at Christmas.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_worldwide#Korea

I know some students celebrate it, but I know quite a few others that don't. Last year I did a poll of hands thinking I'd get 80% and ended up getting somewhere around 30% with some bitterness mixed it on behalf of the kids that didn't celebrate. I don't celebrate Christmas either. Remembrance Day, sure. Christmas... not so much. I think I might cave and show Mr. Bean's Christmas (if I can get away with it).

Sadly, I won't even be getting a holiday out of Christmas this year. I'm deskwarming on the 25th

[expat2001]

You could easily do somehting with "SHREK THE HALLS"
The video is on isohunt and last about 22 mins.