Back-to-School activities (A1 – A2)

Every year at this very moment I ask myself, “Where has the time gone?” We must face the truth and come to terms with the summer be over soon. And yes, as the new school year is calling, we need to prepare ourselves for coming back to work. From my experience, I can say it may be quite a challenge to do the first lesson with new students. However, it may be an exciting experience as well.  It depends on both our attitude and good preparation.
If you need some ideas for such a lesson, you can take advantage of my previous post Back-to-School – ideas for the very first lesson, However, if you already know your students and the purpose is just to revise some of the material you taught them last year, this new post is for you.

In this lesson plan I decided to focus on some useful phrases, the past simple tense, imperatives and first conditional.
It’s the first time I’ve used a new tool (wordwall.net) to prepare some interactive exercises. I hope you will like them as well as the somewhat goofy video about preparing for a picnic. The best idea is to use both the online exercises and the worksheet which is available below:

Back-to-School – student worksheet (printable)

I.   Useful phrases for making suggestions

Complete the dialogue with the words in the box.

Cindy: I’m bored. ………. we do something?
Tom: Well, what do you ………. to do?
Cindy: Hmm, not sure. How about ………. into town and hanging around for a little bit?
Tom: I don’t think it’s a good………. . It’s overcrowded during rush hour.
Cindy: You’re right. So, …………. watch the movie you were talking about the other day.
Tom: I don’t feel ………. staying at home all day long!
Cindy: You’re a bit grumpy today, aren’t you?
Tom: I am not!
Cindy: Ok, ok.
(after a while)
Cindy: I know! ………. don’t we go to the courts and play tennis?
Tom: Yeah! It ………. great!

II.   Useful phrases for showing interest

Complete the dialogue with the words in the box.

Amanda: Hey, these are great photos! Did you ………. them?
Mia: Yes. My new phone has a good ………. camera. What do you think of this one?
Amanda: Wow! I like it. It’s ………. !
Mia: Yeah. I’m really ………. with it. You know, I was in the right place and at the right time.
Amanda: Yes, and you were lucky. Where ………. you when you took it?
Mia: I ………. walking on the beach when suddenly the man jumped ………. the cliff.
Amanda: All your pictures look great. I’m………. . You’re a good photographer.
Mia: Thanks. That’s really ………… of you.

III.   Useful phrases – revison

Drag and drop each item into its correct group.

IV.   What life was like centuries ago – past simple 

Complete the online exercise first and try to remember as much as you can about life centuries ago. Then, while looking only at the picture below, write down your own sentences about what life was like in the past.

V.   How to prepare a romantic picnic.

Ex. 1   Watch the video. In the list below tick only those ideas which are mentioned in the video.

How to prepare a romantic picnic – a video

1. bring your grandma’s quilt and some cushions
2. find a nice place somewhere in the nature
3. stay away from aggressive insects
4. take a lot of insect repellent
5. avoid stormy weather
6. bring food that’s easy to eat
7. do some activities like gathering acorns, comparing leaves and admiring butterflies
8. do some activities like walking, singing, dancing and admiring owls
9. don’t argue with your partner
10. don’t litter
11. don’t eat the last piece of chocolate
12. don’t kiss

Ex. 2   What will happen if you don’t follow the rules? Look at the example and make up your own sentences about the other rules.

Example: If you don’t find a nice place, the atmosphere won’t be nice, either.

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