Unlock Nature’s Vocabulary with Jumanji – An Adventure-Packed Lesson for English Learners!
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Are you searching for a dynamic way to captivate your English language learners? Look no further than the original Jumanji. This classic film offers a treasure trove of nature-themed vocabulary and engaging storylines, making it the perfect choice for language acquisition students, especially those in the MYP and DP English courses at both Higher and Standard Levels. The movie is not only thrilling but also a rich resource for developing speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in an immersive, engaging context.
Why Jumanji Works for English Learners
The enchanting world of Jumanji is filled with high-energy adventure scenes, magical elements, and nature-based vocabulary. From encountering stampedes to escaping monsoons, students will experience language in context, helping them grasp vocabulary that might otherwise feel abstract in traditional lessons. The film’s narrative structure also encourages deeper engagement, as students are naturally drawn into the storyline, making them more motivated to express their thoughts and interact with the material.
Key Components of the Lesson:
Pre-Viewing Vocabulary Activity:
Kick off the lesson by introducing essential nature-themed vocabulary that will appear throughout the film. Words like “rhinoceros,” “monsoon,” “exhaustion,” and “stampede” set the stage for the adventure. Students are encouraged to use dictionaries and work in pairs to explore definitions and create their own sentences using these words. This activity not only builds vocabulary but also promotes collaboration and discussion among peers.
Think, Pair, Share: Predicting the Adventure:
Before watching the movie, engage students in a “Think, Pair, Share” activity using the film’s iconic poster. What do they think the movie is about? What do they predict will happen? This is an excellent opportunity for students to practice using descriptive language and expressing predictions, which builds speaking confidence and prepares them for the dynamic dialogue of the film.
Interactive Movie Watching:
As the film unfolds, students will participate in interactive viewing, where the movie is paused at specific intervals to discuss key scenes. For example:
At 5:45, students might discuss whether Alan should take his father’s advice or how they might persuade him differently.
At 21:42, they could debate whether Judy’s aunt’s suspicion was fair, encouraging them to use evidence from the film to support their points.
This interactive approach reinforces listening skills, as students must focus on understanding dialogue and actions, while the discussions enhance their speaking fluency and critical thinking.
Creative Writing: Designing Jumanji-Inspired Instructions:
After watching, students will tap into their creativity by crafting their own rhyming instructions, similar to those in Jumanji. This activity not only reinforces their understanding of the film but also challenges them to apply language in a new and imaginative way. It’s a fun, hands-on task that helps develop writing skills while blending creativity with language learning.
Reflective Mini-Essay:
For students, the lesson can extend to writing a reflective mini-essay on the most dangerous scenario in the movie. Students must use logical reasoning and vocabulary to argue why a specific situation (e.g., a stampede or a monsoon) would have the most significant impact. This task reinforces reading comprehension (as they recall details from the movie), analytical writing, and the use of persuasive language.
Want to use it for English B students? Then task them with writing a film review or designing instructions to a new board game.
Listening and Comprehension Challenges:
The lesson also includes comprehension checkpoints where students must answer questions based on specific scenes. For example, students may explore the conflict between Alan and his father, analyzing how this tension evolves and connects with larger themes in the film. This activity targets both listening comprehension and the ability to articulate understanding in writing.
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Adapting for Different Levels:
Jumanji is a versatile resource that can be tailored for both HL and SL English B learners. For HL students, more complex tasks such as analyzing character development and themes over the course of the film can be integrated. They could, for instance, explore how Alan’s relationship with his father changes and what this reveals about the theme of courage. For SL students, vocabulary-focused exercises and simpler comprehension questions ensure that the lesson remains accessible yet challenging.
Holistic Language Skills Development:
This Jumanji-themed lesson is designed to promote the four core skills essential for language acquisition:
Speaking: Through prediction discussions, group debates, and partner dialogues.
Listening: By focusing on the film’s dialogue, sound cues, and plot events to answer comprehension questions.
Reading: Using subtitles or associated reading materials (like character descriptions) for deeper understanding.
Writing: Crafting sentences using new vocabulary, creating rhyming instructions, and writing reflective essays.
Why Your Students Will Love It:
Incorporating a film as iconic as Jumanji into the curriculum ensures that learning is both educational and entertaining. Students connect with the story’s suspense and excitement, and as they follow the characters through their adventures, they become more engaged in using the language naturally. By integrating multiple skills and offering a hands-on approach, this lesson becomes more than just a classroom activity—it’s an experience that students will remember and discuss beyond the classroom walls.
Don’t miss the opportunity to create a fun and engaging learning experience with Jumanji. It’s an adventure that not only entertains but also educates, providing students with the language tools they need while keeping them on the edge of their seats!
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