How often we get a quick idea, or see something that sparks a creative idea!  Yet, often we can't think of something a little different to do when we're looking for an activity.  My suggestion is your own "suggestion box" or "idea box".  Whenever you get one of those inspirational prompts, write a quick note with the idea, or place the prompt (magazine article, gift tag for crafts, name of a song that would be perfect for a discussion) inside the box to look through when you have to find inspiration.  You could keep a notebook, but it is easier just to drop the "item" in the box and it will be there waiting for you when you have the time.  Keep collecting!

Students want their holiday break.  These few weeks before Christmas can be arduous for both teacher and students.  Testing may take up some of the time, finishing a few items left on the teaching syllabus, fill the day.  However, the students are not interested in being in the classroom and the teacher has to keep things interesting (and useful) for everyone.

Crafts, drama and music are good channels to use.  Craft ideas, such as making a small gift for someone for the holiday (from greeting cards to little dolls for a niece or friend), drama activities such as skits, plays, dialog role play, and music (working with pop songs for kids to sing and act out - see article with lists of pop songs on this website) are the direction that will keep everyone interested.

Games are a possibility, but they last for short periods of time and tend to make many students act up.  Keeping the class busy, hopefully even intrigued, and producing a result through physical activities such as music, craft and drama will keep everyone motivated.  Happy holidays!

New to Twitter, and still trying to see what effects it has in the teaching world, I pose this question.  Do teachers use Twitter?  Are teachers looking at Twitter to get ideas for the classroom - or are the Twitterers those who want to get their websites out to others - and not really the teachers themselves?  Are teachers searching, rather, through websites to find lesson plans and ideas?

I pose this question to anyone out there in the Twittersphere and hope to note some results and hear your comments here, over the next few days or weeks.   Thanking you........Lucille (Eslideas writer, teacher and developer)

Today my students had to give presentations (that they had to prepare at home) on a You Tube item.  They were encouraged to choose something of interest to them and they had to present it  by explaining the video to the others in the class.  This was extremely effective and the students, being adults, although only at Level 2 of their English studies, were able to share topics of intrigue and interest.

We saw a wide arrange of choices, from Korean ice skaters, Gangnam style, sand art, How it is Made (pencils) to a lion recognizing its human friends.  All the students loved the lesson, and I was able to see the improvement of the work in each student. 

Add a craft element to a lesson.  Do a project such as origami, decorating a paper plate, making a gift card.  Crafts in the classroom demand the use of instructional vocabulary, and good listening skills.  No doubt, for most, it is also a lot of fun. Choice of project will depend on the age, sex and level of the students - don't force every class to do a handwork project.

To introduce crafts, youtube is a great way to show students basics of listening to instructions.  Youtube has thousands of art videos of how to make all kinds of craft items.