The English Teachers Online Network of South Africa logo
   

The Empty Lot

Dorian Love
St Enda's Secondary School
Level
Grade 8-12 (13-18 years)
Most effective 16-18 years
Aims & Objectives
  1. Pursuasive Language
  2. To encourage fun communicative interplays
Lesson Plan
  1. The city council has decided to develop some empty land belonging to the council. It has called a council meeting to decide how to use the land.
  2. The class simulates the council meeting. Some students adopt the roles of interest groups - see the cue cards below - who want the land for particular projects. The others play the councellors, listen, may ask questions, and ultimately vote on what usage the land will be put to.
  3. One student should play the mayor and run the meeting.
Notes
The cue cards can be expanded for lower classes to give more support.



The Captain of a local soccer team
You are captain of the Tigers, a local team. You have no ground, and you think the land could be sued to build a sports ground and youth centre.
The Administrator of a neighbouring hospital
You want the land to build a new wing for your hospital. You aim to add an AIDS ward, where patients can die in dignity!
A local parent
You want a park for children to play in, so they don't have to paly in the street. each year an average of fifteen children are killed playing in the street!
A businessman/woman
You want to build a shopping mall. There are few shops in teh area, and the mall would attract a lot of custom, and benefit the community.
An Animal Rights Charity
You want to build a hospice for mistreated animals. There are many pets who are deserted, or who run away, and have to be destroyed every year. A hospice would give these pets a chance.
The Fire Chief
Your Department needs a new fire station for the area. Especially in summer, there are many fires, and the nearest station to that neighbourhood is twelve kilometres away!
Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1