AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 

1) to encourage a reflection on students' surroundings 

2) to practice speaking and effective communication

3) to raise awareness of new virtual resources

WARM-UP: YOUR WINDOW

Think of your favorite window view from your home. It

could be from your bedroom, kitchen, living room, hall or attic. Or maybe you prefer the view from your front or back door? 

Please don't go to look at this view now, even if you're at home. Just close your eyes and try to recall as many details of your chosen view as possible. 

• What are the main elements of this view?

• What makes this view special for you?

• What emotions does the view raise in you? Why? 

• Which parts of the view are typical for your country/culture?

Classroom work:

     Work in pairs. Describe the view to your partner in as many details as possible. Your partner's role is to draw it. Take turns, compare the pictures, and give each other feedback. 

Remember! It's not a drawing competition, so be kind and forgiving. Focus on the composition, not your classmate's drawing skills.

OPTIONAL: EXTRA INTERCULTURAL MILE: If you're collaborating with a partner from another class/school or country, you can complete this task ASYNCHRONOUSLY on a shared google doc, but you can also TRY to connect SYNCHRONOUSLY on a video app of your choice and conduct the exercise LIVE. TIP: Remember to check the time zones! 

Individual work:

     Without looking at the view, try to draw it from memory with as many details as possible. Describe the picture in English. Compare it with the real view. Are you happy with your picture? If this brought you joy, repeat the activity with a view from another window. Try to include even more details this time.

WINDOW SWAP

• What was the best window view you have ever seen in your life? Where was it? What made it so exciting?

Visit the website Window Swap. Click the button and explore window views from all around the world!

You can also watch a video with a compilation of 50 window views from 30 countries. 

GUIDING QUESTIONS

• Do you like the idea of Window Swap? Why? Why not?

• Which view caught your attention the most? Why?

• Can you come up with 5 aspects which distinguish the views from each other? Could you try to categorise the window views?

• Do you think that some views are better than others? Are the "worse" ones less interesting?  Can you say one positive thing about the views you find less attractive? 

• What would be a typical view from a window in your country or region?

• Did you enjoy looking at the window views? Why?

• What do you think is the idea behind this website/project? Why was it established? (After coming up with your ideas, see the reference here in the first section by clicking the button "why we made it")

• Would you like to revisit this website? When and why?

Classroom work

Work in small groups, arrange a discussion (you can use the guiding questions above and add your own, too) and share your findings during the open class feedback session at the end of the lesson.

Individual work

Write a short blog article (200 - 400 words) for your school website about the Window Swap as a new Internet tool you've recently discovered. Use the guiding questions from this activity. 

POSSIBLE EXTENSION: YOUR MOVE! 

If you liked the idea of Window Swap, record a 5-10-minute video and upload it to the website. Allow people from all around the world to enjoy the view from your window!

If your classmates liked the idea too, you or your teacher can create a Padlet and share all of the class videos on a Padlet board.

TIP: To learn how to use Padlet, check  the Tech Tool Page