Hey Classmates! Let's Get to Know One Another!

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Students will continue getting to know each other and the teacher by working cooperatively to complete activities that encourage them to use English skills like identifying context clues and reading between the lines.

OBJECTIVE

Students will:

1. Work cooperatively to develop collegial relationships with classmates
2. Access prior knowledge
3. Use context clues and read between the lines
4. Think critically in order to problem solve

MATERIALS

1. Guess What It Says? Worksheet 1 (PDF)
2. Guess What It Says? Worksheet 2 (PDF)

REPRODUCIBLES

1. Guess What It Says? Worksheet 1 (PDF)
   
2. Guess What It Says? Worksheet 2 (SWF)
   

DIRECTIONS

These can be done on the same day or used separately to break up lectures about classroom rules, procedures, and expectations.

Activity 1:

1. Arrange students in groups of no more than four.
2. Distribute Guess What It Says? Worksheet 1 (PDF).
3. Explain that each initial stands for a word that completes a common measurement or group of things.
4. Go over the first two as examples to make sure the students understand what they're doing.
5. Give them about 20 minutes to complete this worksheet. Remind students to focus on working together.

Activity 2:

1. Distribute Guess What It Says? Worksheet 2 (PDF).
2. Explain that each square contains a commonly used phrase.
3. Explain that students must pay attention to the placement and size of the words within the square in order to figure out the phrases.
4. Use two of the easier squares as examples.
5. Give students about 20 minutes to complete this worksheet.

SUPPORTING ALL LEARNERS

These worksheets are any-level-learner friendly. Just make sure that you walk around the room to assist as they have questions.

ASSESS STUDENTS

As the students are working, walk around the room and pay attention to the group dynamics. Who is jumping in with answers? Who is sitting there being quiet? Who asks the questions on behalf of the group when the group needs help? Which students work well together and which ones don't?

ASSIGNMENTS

Complete problem-solving worksheets in a small group.

HOME CONNECTION

Students love to take these puzzles home to their parents to see if they can solve them.

EVALUATE THE LESSON

• Has some of the students' shyness worn off?
• Are they more willing to speak to each other and you?
• Do you know more names today than yesterday?
• Do you know generally who your extroverts and introverts are?
• Do you have an idea of who likes to be the "Batman" of the group and who's OK with being "Robin?"

Miriama Sesay-St. Paul is a teacher at Malcolm X Shabazz High School in Newark, New Jersey.

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