Design and Create Your Own Board Game
Students were put in teams of three and given the challenge of designing their own board game.
First, we studied the different components of board games: the board, game pieces, an objective, and a way of moving forward through the game. These components also served as the requirements for the project, outside of which they had free reign.
While in problem-solving mode, language immersion became second nature. Students also had the chance to develop other important skills: critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication.
The true test for success came on game day as teams took turns explaining their concept and then playing with the whole class. It was an absolute blast! I am excited to do this again and see what new ideas they put into play!
the Bridge Design Challenge
Students worked in pairs to design bridges from toothpicks and glue.
First, we discussed different bridge designs and the structural integrity of triangles. Students had already learned about these concepts in their math and science classes. The new challenge here was how to talk about the concepts in English. With the help of new vocabulary and phrases, students recorded a video on their progress at the end of each class. They talked about challenges, discoveries, and the pros and cons of their design. It seems they also had fun imagining the changes they would make, given a another opportunity to design a new bridge.
I remember doing this project when I was a student, and it was just as fun for me as a teacher. One of the biggest challenges I have teaching ESL is how to create lessons that are both age-appropriate and that fall into students' language abilities. While these middle school boys' level of English was very basic, their math and science were quite advanced. I also knew that they enjoy problem solving and hands-on learning. This project was perfect for tapping into their interests in order to take their language learning to the next level.