Saw this shared on facebook and just had to repost it, should cause some interesting debates.
Tag: problem solving
Desert Island Problem Solving Speaking Activity
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Task handout:
https://skydrive.live.com/redir?resid=79CFF252BEEA0A7D!503&authkey=!ABjaGRY8sNM-iRU
Language handout:
https://skydrive.live.com/redir?resid=79CFF252BEEA0A7D!504&authkey=!AICWqGyfQ2DTrCE
It’s an old classic but as they say, the old ones are the best!
Warm up questions
What’s the most remote place you’ve ever visited?
Did you spend the night there?
Do you like camping?
Have you ever slept under the stars?
Would you consider it?
What’s the most dangerous natural environment you’ve been in? Jungle? Desert?
What things do you always take with you on holiday?
Part 1:
Give out desert island and language handouts and explain the situation.
Task:
You have been selected to take part in a social experiment. You and your group will be taken to a desert island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. You will have to survive there for a year without contact with the outside world. The island has:
- Fresh water
- Banana trees
- Coconut palms
The climate is mild (not too hot, not too cold) first individually make a list of 8-10 things you think you will need to survive. Then, as a group you will have to decide on 8 things, list them in order of importance.
Students think of their own personal lists first.
In groups they first list all the possible problems they will encounter, then decide on a list of items that will help with these problems.
Students present their lists to class explaining their decisions.
Part 2:
Students must go into more depth about how their island will work.
Students must decide on:
- Roles and responsibilities
- Division of labour
- Leadership
- Justice / punishment / laws /rules
- Decision making
Students present their system to the class, other groups can ask questions.
Language:
We’re definitely going to need ________________
__________________ will be vital / essential / extremely useful / completely useless / a waste of space
I can’t live without ____________________
Making Suggestions
I think we should……………….
I reckon we ought to…………………
Why don’t we………………………..
How about / what about + gerund………………………….
Agreeing / Disagreeing
| Agreeing | Disagreeing | Ending an argument: |
|
|
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The €100,000 question, conversation topic
Put your students in groups of 3 and ask them the following question:
What would you do with €100,000?
Give them 2 minutes to share their ideas, then have them report each other’s answers to the class. (each person reports someone else from their group’s answer)
Did anyone give it to charity?
Give out the following handout:
https://skydrive.live.com/redir?resid=79CFF252BEEA0A7D!452&authkey=!AB2H6x3IinOC6wE
In their groups students discuss the problem and then present their ideas to the class.
As a wrap up ask the students which suggestions they thought were the best, see if they can come to an agreement as a class on how to give the money away.
Task:
A long lost aunt that you didn’t know you had has recently passed away. In her will she left your group €100,000 with a note saying it should be given away to “make the world a better place.” Decide in your groups who you are going to give it to.
Making Suggestions
I think we should……………….
I reckon we ought to…………………
Why don’t we………………………..
How about / what about + gerund………………………….
Agreeing / Disagreeing
| Agreeing | Disagreeing | Ending an argument: |
|
|
|