Action!
Most frequently used for: Review
Necessary materials: Content and resource materials
Group size: 4-6
Time Required: 45-50 minutes
Subject Areas: All
Description: This activity is an active way for groups of students to review vocabulary. The teacher should divide students into groups of no more than six members. Assign a different part or section of the vocabulary to be reviewed to each group. Ask groups to create a thirty-second TV commercial that advertises the assigned vocabulary to be reviewed, emphasizing the most important part/parts to remember.
The commercials should contain slogans and visuals. If there is a group that does not want to act out their commercial (rare, but happens) the teacher should explain that he/she expects the general concept and an outline of the commercial from the group. Before the groups begin to plan their commercials, the teacher should let the class discuss the characteristics of some well-known current or favorite commercials to stimulate creativity. (e.g. use of a well-known personality, humor, comparison to competition, etc..great way to teach the types of propaganda, also) Praise creativity. If possible, the teacher might have the groups create their commercials on videotape.
A variation would be to have groups create print advertisements instead of TV commercials.