1. Spring Vocabulary Scavenger Hunt

Every new season is a good reason to teach some new vocabulary, and spring is no exception. Give your students a list of some spring vocabulary and then get them outside to experience it.

Have students look for items on their list as they walk your school grounds or explore a local park. Encourage students to be creative in identifying the items on their list. For example, they might take a picture of a classmate with wild hair to illustrate the word “breezy.”

When possible, have students bring items on the list back to you and create a spring vocabulary collection for your class.

When you’re done exploring, bring around ten of your items back into the classroom and play a game of “What’s Missing?” Put at least five items on a tray and let your students study it for a minute. Then cover the tray and remove one item. Uncover the tray and see who can tell you what’s missing.

The more items you put on the tray, the tougher the game will be. You can also move or change an item instead of removing it.

2. Take an “I Spy” Walk

I Spy is a great game to have on hand for your ESL classroom, but this amped up version takes advantage of the fresh outdoors.

Take your students outside for a short walk. As they walk, encourage them to notice different signs of spring around them. They do not need to talk about these signs, just observe as many as they can.

When you return to your classroom, have each student choose one sign of spring they noted outside and write three clues about it without naming the object. For example, they might say the following:

It was in a tree. It was partially red. It was making noise.

Collect the papers and number them, and then arrange them along the walls of your room.

Have students go around reading the clues their classmates wrote. For each numbered paper, students should make a guess as to what sign of spring the writer was describing. For the above example, they might guess a robin.

Once everyone has read all of the clues and made their guesses, come back together as a class. Have each person read their clues and then tell the class what item they were describing.

3. Free Writing Time

On some days, nothing is more inspiring to me than the beautiful outdoors. I actually have my desk situated so I can look out the window as I write.

Give your students the same kind of inspiration by taking them outside for some free writing time.

Invite your students to cop a squat under a tree or on a rock (you might want to bring some cardboard with you to keep bottoms dry and mud free) and write.

You might ask student to describe what they see or write a letter to a friend or family member describing the changing season. Or you might give them a nature-themed writing prompt.

Whatever they write, it will be imbibed with the freshness of spring and the beauty of nature that surrounds them. Likely, it will also be one of your most memorable class periods of the entire year.

4. Grammar Kickball

If you want to practice the grammar you’re learning in class, try playing kickball.

Before you go outside, brainstorm a list of questions using a target grammatical structure you’re studying. Then go outside and set up a game of kickball.

On a player’s turn, the pitcher “pitches” one of the grammar questions to the kicker. If the kicker answers correctly, then the pitcher pitches the ball and play continues as normal. If the kicker answers the question incorrectly, they are automatically out. You may want to allow players to consult with their team before giving an answer.

Play according to the normal rules of kickball and review grammar while you play.

Your Task for this Program

Once every week, choose a lesson and get outside.

Think of a variety of different activities which

connect to the units you are teaching

and

G.O.A.L !!!

Reflect.