background preloader

The Scene of the Crime (modals of speculation)

01 november 2013

The Scene of the Crime (modals of speculation)

The Scene of the Crime

One task I like to do nowadays which facilitates creativity while enabling me to realize my EAP curriculum objectives is ‘The Scene of the Crime.’

Grammar point

This lends itself most obviously to modals of speculation

Materials needed

Anything you want to set up a crime scene. Good props are packs of cards, empty glasses and some ‘mystery’ items such as a key, a paper with a phone number on it or a memory stick.

Alternatively, you can do an internet search for an appropriate image

Preparation

Set up the crime scene in the classroom before your learners arrive.

Setting the scene

When learners arrive, inform them there’s been a murder (depending on the age of your learners, you might want to acknowledge this is fictional).

Warn learners to be careful not to touch anything.

Procedure

With learners seated so that they can see the crime scene, select two volunteers to come and inspect (disposable rubber gloves are great for adding to the atmosphere).

The volunteers hold up the items slowly and encourage others to ask questions.

Go through your language objectives (e.g. ‘The phone number might have been important.’)

Put learners in groups to discuss the evidence. They will need to be creative to incorporate all evidence in a meaningful way.

Have a debate between groups about their theories.

Follow up with a group reenactment of the crime, or a written report about the events.