Computer and projector, Mobile devices for students, Speakers
Activity Description
Source: Adobe Express (License: Protected by Copyright (c) [i.e. screenshot])
In this activity, students think of a place for classmates to guess based on an image and describe themselves with clues to their identity. They then upload an image of the mystery place for an animated talking character they choose that speaks their recorded scripts. Classmates view their animated characters to guess the place and identity of the speaker.
Preparation
Check the website to ensure it is not blocked at your site.
Read through the lesson plan.
Print and make copies of any handouts.
How-To
1. Navigate to https://www.adobe.com/express/feature/video/animate/audio.
2. Select "Make your Animation."
3. Select a character. The categories are humans, creatures, food, emojis.
4. Select a background or upload an image. Select from fill options for the background (fill background, fill height, fill width).
5. Resize or move your character in the preview box.
6. Choose size.
7. Select record (give microphone access to your device) and speak and select done when finished recording or upload an audio file. Toggle on "enhance speech" for a more professional sound.
8. Wait while audio is generated. Then preview your work. Edit as desired.
9. Download your file. If you didn't create a free account, you will be prompted to do so.
Teacher Tips
Practice using the site before modeling for students how to use it.
Ensure that students have an email (needed for free account sign up) address.
More Ways
This tool could be used in multiple ways for students to practice scripting (grammar, writing) and speaking/pronunciaton to share about the following:
ice breaker introductions
past activities
daily activities
future plan
advice
best ways to practice English
tongue twisters
using target vocabulary and/or grammar in sentences
a dream vacation
a scary, funny, interesting experienc (short narrative)
Program Areas
ESL: English as a Second Language
Levels
All Levels
View Lesson Plan
Warm-up
Engagement Enhancement
Review vocabuarly for geographical locations (city, mountains, lake, beaches, waterfall, river, desert, etc.) with images.
Intermediate and advanced students can be assigned to brainstorm or fill out a mind map in order to elicit vocabulary they already know and fill in gaps.
Introduction
Enhancement
Play audio (or video without projecting) of various places: beaches, busy streets, cities where people are speaking in other languages. Before each clip, ask students to guess where these places are based on the sounds they hear.
Tell students that they are going to think of a place and find an image of it online and save to the desktop. This place can be their hometown or country, a place they like to go now, their work place, a famous monument or park or building, a place they would like to visit in the future or a place they have visited in the past.
Then they are going to write a short script about themselves with some information that gives only clues about their appearance or personality / behavior.
Their classmates will need to guess where they are and who they are.
Presentation
Enhancement
Demonstrate by sharing an example that you create about yourself or someone else who is not a student but is familiar to everyone.
Then provide students with a sample script as a model or a paragraph frame or questions to answer in complete sentences. Model yourself using the frame or answering the questions. Make sure to stress to students not to say their names or give obvious identifiers.
Example:
Can you guess who and where I am?
I am __________ and I often _________. I have ______________ and _______________. I like ....
OR
1. Describe your appearance. Are you tall or short? What color is your hair? What color are your eyes?
2. Describe your personality. Are you quiet or talkative? Are you serious or funny?
3. Tell about your job, interests, or hobbies.
4. What is one thing about you that your teacher and classmates don't know?
Practice
Enhancement
Have students submit their written scripts.
Provide feedback or collect common errors and create a mini lesson.
When students are ready, demo first how to download an image for the place they have chosen as the "mystery place" for the background, and then demonstrate how to use the site. Ideally give students class time to work on the assignment. After they have downloaded their animated character, help them to email it to you or send it to you another way.
Have students revise their scripts and then practice pronunciation with you by reading their scripts 1:1 with you, calling you to leave a voicemail message, or by using a voice recording tool on their phone or on a computer or online using a site such as Online Voice Recorder or Vocaroo.
Provide feedback on pronunciation.
Evaluation
Engagement Enhancement
Play each student's animated speaking character. Have students either call out where and who each animated charcter scene is depicting or take notes and tell their guess after all have been shown.
Application
Extension
Students will be able to carry out short digital projects in which they communicate about familiar topics and experiences.
View Standards
Writing
CCR Anchor 4 - Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
CCR Anchor 5 - Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.
Speaking and Listening
CCR Anchor 5 - Make strategic use of digital media and visual displays of data to express information and enhance understanding of presentations.
CCR Anchor 6 - Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and communicative tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate.
Language
CCR Anchor 1 - Demonstrate command of the conventions of English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
CCR Anchor 2 - Demonstrate command of the conventions of English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
CC BY: This license allows reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format, so long as
attribution is given to the creator. The license allows for commercial use.
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