I must apologize for my lack of posts lately. Navigating this whole mom-to-two-kids-full-time-teacher-while-keeping-my-household-running thing has proven harder than I anticipated!
While reviewing some key concepts at the beginning of the year with my 2s and 3s, I really wanted a casual way for them to still be creative and practice writing/speaking. The TV show Whose Line is it Anyway has a part called "props" that kind of inspired me.
I gave each group five "props" (more like pieces of paper with the item printed on it) and told them to write and act out a skit within the parameters that included and/or referenced each prop. For example, my 3s had to use the passe compose. Each skit was only a minute or two long but it was funny to see what different stories they could come up with using the same sets of props.
Next time I want to have a bag/box of random props and make them stick their hand in to randomly choose. That way it's not a paper prop either, but the actual item.
This activity can be formed to just about any unit! All you have to do is give them the minimum requirements based on whatever you are studying. Subjunctive? Have them include the subjunctive. School unit? Have them write the story based in a classroom. The possibilities are endless, even with the same props!
