The Line

This is a simple kinesthetic activity that takes no resources and very little preparation. It’s also very versatile in that many structures and themes can be inserted into the activity. Students respond to statements or questions by moving forward one step if the statement is true for them. It’s a great visual for all.

Preparation

Instructor selects the statements to be used in the activity. They could be ones to practice the past tense, future tense, special vocabulary, etc. (e.g., You ate pasta last night. You watched a movie in the last week. You will go to sleep after midnight tonight. You will cook dinner this week. You are wearing a sweatshirt. You have brown shoes on.).

When to Use It

• To have students express understanding of statements/concepts • To distinguish correct/incorrect grammar • To provide kinesthetic learning opportunities

Level

Any, depending on statements used

Skills

Practice

Procedure

1. Line up as many students as you can from the class (or start with a sample). It’s possible to have various lines on different sides of the room. 2. Tell students you will read various statements. If the statement is true for them, they should step forward one step. Start with a few obvious ones first, such as: Today is (fill in the day). We are in (fill in the city).

Materials

Statements

Preparation Time

5 minutes

Activity Time

10–15 minutes

Variations

1. Use statements with grammar mistakes in them. Have students step forward if they can spot the mistake. After they step forward, they should be able to correct the error if you call on them. 2. Have students create the statements. This can be done on the spot or as an assignment. 3. Concentrate on one area that you have gone over recently in class (grammar, theme, etc.). 4. Use true/false statements that relate to a reading from the class. 5. Use with comparisons — Step forward if X is bigger than Y. Step forward if A is heavier than B, etc. 6. If space is limited or if it’s easier, have students stand up at their desks to indicate their answer. Another option is to have students stand to indicate they believe a statement is incorrect or false.