All You Need is Paper (and a little love) ESL/EFL activities

      My third grade bilingual group was studying living things that create their own light - bioluminescence. Isn't that a beautiful word!? We read about squids, jellyfish, mushrooms, glowworms, and of course, fireflies. The students had to write a very short text about one of these living things, so I decided they could use a paper jar filled with fireflies to get them into the activity. These students are still online, so as usual I had to think about the material they have at home. I showed them my model using an oatmeal box to draw the jar with the fireflies. They all had some kind of box at home that they were able to use. I also let them know that if they wanted their jar to stand up after they were done writing, they could fold a paper and glue it to the back, like in the picture above. When they were all done, each student shared their jar and read their text to the class. It was a different way to them engaged in a writing activity, plus they could use it t...

 My third grade class was studying how animals hide in nature to protect themselves. We all drew a colorful chameleon on a a colorful background. Students each shared their chameleons with the class and were able to practice vocabulary words like hide and camouflage. We also talked about which other animals are great camouflagers such as katydids and owls. Can you think of more?

This easy to make Mother's Day paper bag won everybody's heart. All you need is a sheet of paper, any color is fine, 2 paper bag handles, and some more paper in different colors to make the hearts, flowers and circles. Fold one sheet in the middle, glue the handles on the inside like in the photo, glue the sides, draw as many flowers, circles and hearts as you like. Write some words or messages in the hearts, glue them onto the top of a white sheet of paper, and you can let the kids be creative and write or draw something on the white sheet. I glued all the flowers and circles on one side and wrote Happy Mother's Day on the other side. Place the white sheet with the hearts in the bag, and it looks like the bag is filled with hearts. My students really loved making this, and it was pretty easy for them, even though they're still having classes via Zoom. I hope their moms liked them as much as they did.      

My bilingual 3rd grade group is studying communities. We made this mobile for them to practice connecting the community helpers to their workplace. Students could choose the places and helpers they wanted to use. At the end, each student presented their project to the class. They had to say: The teacher works at the school, for example. We used a paper bag handle, creative paper and string.  These are all things they usually have at home, so there were no major issues finding the material. This group is still all having online classes that's why I always have to think of projects with material they can easily find in their homes.  

  Here's my last Easter post, well, for now. I used the same shape I used before here for the standing paper . I cut out this shape and the bunnies from creative paper, used cotton for the tails, added some details with a marker, and it's done. Students can share their cards with the class and take them home to decorate their houses for Easter. Happy Easter everyone!  

  This hungry bunny is funny and easy to draw. Fold a white sheet of paper in the middle, fold each side of the paper back, so you can draw the bunny looking cute first. Next, open the paper completely to draw the big mouth and everything the bunny is eating. The kids can draw lots of different Easter related treats and more if they like. If you like, you can even have them write Happy Easter on the inside.  

    Making a Tic Tac Toe is an awesome fun way to review any vocabulary and to celebrate different holidays or festivities. On this game, I used plastic bottle caps, which I always like to save to repurpose, chopsticks and white paper. It's pretty easy for students to make, just advise them in advance to start saving the bottle caps and get some chopsticks or popsicle sticks for the "hashtag". You and the students can be creative when it comes to drawing the eggs and the bunnies. Another option is drawing eggs and carrots or bunnies and carrots. When they're done, have them share the colors and details they used on their eggs. If they are still at home, they can play with their family.