Teaching Tip: Five Easy Kinesthetic Activities for Adults

Theresa Bries, Black Hawk College

Twenty to thirty percent of the learners in my high intermediate-advanced class self-identified their strongest learning style as kinesthetic. However, activities that engage adult bodies and brains require consideration of age appropriateness and student willingness to participate. Here are a few engaging activities that I’ve used consistently in Adult Education classes at Black Hawk College, Moline, IL.

1. STAND UP & MAKE A SENTENCE

Preparation: Teacher takes a sentence and writes one word or punctuation mark per 8 ½ x 11 sheet, capitalizing the first word. Short sentences that students have seen are useful to start, but once students are familiar with the activity, sentences can be personalized and lengthened by adding adjectives and time and prepositional phrases. Some longer sentences can involve 16-20 students.

In class: Give each student one of the papers and ask them to stand and line up in order. Working together, students are remarkably adept at figuring out the correct word order. Students learn to listen to each other, work together and practice grammatical structures. Once completed, everyone reads the sentence aloud together.

2. CONVERSATION STRIPS

Preparation: Teacher re-types a conversation in a larger font, prints and cuts in strips making one set per pair. This is a great way to recycle textbook conversations.

In class: Student pairs put the sentences in order. Once completed, students read and check if it makes sense. If from a text, students can check their sentence order.

3. CARD ACTIVITIES

Preparation: Use Microsoft Publisher to make 8 cards per 8 ½ x 11 sheet. Print and cut (ideally using a paper cutter for evenly shaped cards). Make one set per pair.

In class:

Vocabulary—match the word with the definition or picture with word. Then, partners take one away and quiz each other.
Phonetic practice—when studying the pronunciation of “ed or s/es” students group cards with words that have the same final sound.
Mixed Tenses—Match question with answer using a variety of verb tenses. A Yes-No question starting with “did” always has an answer with “did.

4. FOLLOW THE CLUES

Preparation: To practice prepositions of place (under, on, up, down, left, right), teacher prepares clues in envelopes and hides them throughout the building. Groups of students are sent out in different directions and to different places. Envelopes must be clearly marked or color coded for each group.

In class: Each group (3) gets a starting clue. Groups must stay together, find and follow the clues. The last clue takes them to a prize and directions to return to class.

5. MAKE IT FOR REAL
On special occasions, bringing boxes of instant pudding or an easy no-bake recipe, such as guacamole or cranberry sauce, gets students involved in reading directions, stirring, chopping and mixing.

Preparation: Bring materials, needed equipment, directions and supplies to clean up.

In class: Read directions together or in groups before handing out supplies. Groups read and follow directions to complete the activity. After sharing the treat, re-writing the directions extends and reinforces the activity.

Theresa Bries teaches Adult Education at Black Hawk College in Moline, Illinois.

Back to the Link front page


Teaching Tip: Five Easy Kinesthetic Activities for Adults Theresa Bries, Black Hawk College Back to the Link front page Twenty to thirty percent of the learners in my high intermediate-advanced class self-identified their strongest learning style as kinesthetic. However, activities that engage adult bodies and brains require consideration of age appropriateness and student willingness to participate. Here are a few engaging activities that I’ve used consistently in Adult Education classes at Black Hawk College, Moline, IL. *1. STAND UP & MAKE A SENTENCE* Preparation: Teacher takes a sentence and writes one word or punctuation mark per 8 ½ x 11 sheet, capitalizing the first word. Short sentences that students have seen are useful to start, but once students are familiar with the activity, sentences can be personalized and lengthened by adding adjectives and time and prepositional phrases. Some longer sentences can involve 16-20 students. In class: Give each student one of the papers and ask them to stand and line up in order. Working together, students are remarkably adept at figuring out the correct word order. Students learn to listen to each other, work together and practice grammatical structures. Once completed, everyone reads the sentence aloud together. *2. CONVERSATION STRIPS* Preparation: Teacher re-types a conversation in a larger font, prints and cuts in strips making one set per pair. This is a great way to recycle textbook conversations. In class: Student pairs put the sentences in order. Once completed, students read and check if it makes sense. If from a text, students can check their sentence order. *3. CARD ACTIVITIES* Preparation: Use Microsoft Publisher to make 8 cards per 8 ½ x 11 sheet. Print and cut (ideally using a paper cutter for evenly shaped cards). Make one set per pair. In class: Vocabulary—match the word with the definition or picture with word. Then, partners take one away and quiz each other. Phonetic practice—when studying the pronunciation of “ed or s/es” students group cards with words that have the same final sound. Mixed Tenses—Match question with answer using a variety of verb tenses. A Yes-No question starting with “did” always has an answer with “did. *4. FOLLOW THE CLUES* Preparation: To practice prepositions of place (under, on, up, down, left, right), teacher prepares clues in envelopes and hides them throughout the building. Groups of students are sent out in different directions and to different places. Envelopes must be clearly marked or color coded for each group. In class: Each group (3) gets a starting clue. Groups must stay together, find and follow the clues. The last clue takes them to a prize and directions to return to class. *5. MAKE IT FOR REAL* On special occasions, bringing boxes of instant pudding or an easy no-bake recipe, such as guacamole or cranberry sauce, gets students involved in reading directions, stirring, chopping and mixing. Preparation: Bring materials, needed equipment, directions and supplies to clean up. In class: Read directions together or in groups before handing out supplies. Groups read and follow directions to complete the activity. After sharing the treat, re-writing the directions extends and reinforces the activity. Theresa Bries teaches Adult Education at Black Hawk College in Moline, Illinois. Back to the Link front page
ITBE Link - Fall 2013 - Volume 41 Number 3