Sunday, May 16, 2010

Oral C

I did this lesson in class and had so much fun!

1) Ask the students to bring a self-care product to class (toothbrush/toothpaste/deoderant/lip balm/talcum powder/hair gel/facial wash/etc).

2) Get the students to be in groups of 4-6.

3) Get them to be advertising executives for the day. They have to come up with a print advertisement and a TV commercial their self-care product.

4) The print ad is to be done on an A4-size paper while the TV ad is to be acted in front of the whole class.

The students came up with hilarious commercials. I never laughed so hard in a class before. The funniest bits had to be when they whipped out their products energetically. "Try this!" they would say, while flashing their megawatt smiles...

The students presented 7 products. They were:
-Joey Orange's sunscreen
-Dona' deoderant
-Parfum's perfume
-Oral C toothbrush
-The Intense Mascara
-Safi's deoderant
-Slim Mood Slimming Solution

The funniest ad had to be Oral C's. The group (Fahmi, Adam, Hazwan & Azfar) did a parody of the Colgate's commercials.

Like the original commercials, a representative of the company stopped a random person from the street and asked, "Do you know that bacteria is building up in your mouth?"

Though the respondent was doubtful of the said build-up, he agreed to have his mouth scanned.

In the Colgate's ads, the respondents would be shocked by the scanned images. "But I brushed my teeth this morning", they would say.

But in Oral C's version, the interviewer was the one shocked. Adam exaggerated his horror at having seen the "bacteria" in his respondent's mouth.

"OMG sir, how often do you brush your teeth?!"

After further admonitions, he suggested Fahmi use Oral C. Adam continued to explain the toothbrush's qualities. He then stated the most important thing:

"Sir, this toothbrush is HALAL"

Right on cue, Azfar & Hazwan came into the class with songkoks, looking very important.

"We're from JAKIM", they introduced themselves and proceeded to inspect the toothbrush.

They nodded their heads and made approving sounds while examining the product.

"This is a very good product", Hazwan put his stamp of approval on it.

"Yes, this is HALAL. HALAL!!", Azfar concurs.

-----THE END-----

I had so much fun during that lesson. Such teaching moments do not come often but when they do; they are priceless!!

I also observed that not all students are game enough to do presentations. Of course, there will be shy students in your class but, they too, can participate in such group works if the class is "nice".

If the class provides a safe learning environment, then students do not have to worry about expressing themselves, taking risks, being goofy, etc.

But if the class is not so accommodating, students will be reluctant to do any of these things for the fear of being laughed at.

So, I guess the key to having successful lessons is to create a safe learning environment first (both physically & psychologically).

8 comments:

Jarod Yong said...

Nice!
Awesome lesson!
=)

Unfortunately, I teach exam classes & better classes & the administration wants me to focus on written exercises.
WTH, right?

The Laydee said...

Great!

and I am a bit jealous too.

If only my students have at least half of what your students have in terms of proficiency, I would be eager to come out with lots of activities like this.

Guess now, at their level, drilling is the only option :(

Anyway, keep it up. Sounds you have a great time being an English teacher there, Syada :)

mimisyamimi said...

Wow, good one, Syada.
Like Jarod, am also teaching exam classes.
And Felda kids, they are too shy to try things out...
But, can i try this as well for my Form 2 kids? Kot2 dieorg suke.. ^^

Rosyada said...

jarod: yeah, i know what u mean. after the mid-year break, i have a feeling that i have to teach-to-the test too.

anxious parents would want their kids to be doing some "serious" studying in class since PMR nak dekat dah...

norzi: yes, i'm lucky to have students who are quite proficient. they are incredibly nice too!

mimi: yes, the activity might not be suitable for shy students... but they could be the extras instead of the lead actors...

Me said...

Nice!...
ouh, how to create such safe environment?
how did u do it?

Rosyada said...

oh, the students are from one of the front classes and they've been together for 3 years already. so, they've already gelled.

memang dah harmoni without me having to do anything :)

Fahmi said...

agreed with teacher

'memang dah harmoni'

drudra said...

This is good stuff, Ms R. It's amazing - the creativity kids have. And yes, those "fun teaching moments" definitely are priceless!
Well done! can't wait to read more..