Introduction
The Mary Poppins ESL Lesson Plan is a whimsical and inspiring topic that can captivate the imagination of ESL students while helping them develop crucial language skills. This lesson plan is designed to engage students in learning English through various activities inspired by the beloved Mary Poppins story. It offers an opportunity for students to expand their vocabulary, improve their listening and comprehension skills, and practice reading and writing in an immersive and enjoyable way. By incorporating elements from the magical world of Mary Poppins, this lesson plan aims to make language learning both educational and entertaining for ESL learners.
Vocabulary Building
Vocab
Vocab |
Definition |
|---|---|
Parrot Umbrella |
An umbrella with a parrot-shaped handle, as seen in the movie Mary Poppins. It is a magical umbrella that allows Mary Poppins to fly. |
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious |
A long and nonsensical word used in the Mary Poppins movie to convey a positive feeling. It is often used as an expression of joy or excitement. |
“Chim Chim Cher-ee” |
The title of a song from the film, referring to the phrase used by chimney sweeps for good luck. The song celebrates the life of chimney sweeps and their work. |
“A Spoonful of Sugar” |
A popular song from Mary Poppins that emphasizes finding joy in everyday tasks. The phrase ‘a spoonful of sugar’ symbolizes adding sweetness to make challenging situations more pleasant. |
Jolly Holiday |
In the context of Mary Poppins, this term refers to a cheerful and delightful outing or vacation, often associated with joyful experiences. |
Contextual Usage
– When discussing magical objects, you can refer to items having powers similar to the parrot umbrella.
– Encourage students to invent their own supercalifragilisticexpialidocious words and explain what they mean.
– Analyze song lyrics such as “Chim Chim Cher-ee” or “A Spoonful of Sugar” and discuss their themes.
– Engage students in describing what their ideal jolly holiday would look like and why.
ESL Warm-up Activity
To kick off the Mary Poppins ESL Lesson Plan, start with a captivating warm-up activity to transport students into the magical world of Mary Poppins. You can begin by playing a short clip from the Mary Poppins movie, followed by a discussion about the magical elements in the scene. Encourage students to describe what they see and express their thoughts using descriptive vocabulary. Then, have them imagine what it would be like if they had a magical umbrella like Mary Poppins and ask them to share their creative ideas with the class. This engaging warm-up activity will set an enchanting tone for the lesson while integrating key language elements inspired by Mary Poppins.
Main ESL Lesson Activities
Vocabulary Activity: Magical Word Creation
Invite students to create their own “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” word by combining various prefixes, root words, and suffixes. Encourage them to write the definition of their invented word and share it with peers, fostering a fun and imaginative vocabulary-building exercise.
Listening Activity: Mary Poppins Song Analysis
Play excerpts from popular songs in the Mary Poppins movie such as “Chim Chim Cher-ee” or “A Spoonful of Sugar”. Ask students to listen attentively and then engage them in a discussion analyzing the meaning behind the lyrics. Facilitate a group discussion on how the songs relate to everyday life, promoting active listening comprehension.
Roleplay Activity: Tea Party with Mary Poppins
Organize a roleplay activity where students take on different characters from Mary Poppins and participate in an imaginary tea party. This hands-on exercise allows students to practice speaking English using polite phrases while immersing themselves in a make-believe world inspired by the Mary Poppins story.
Reading and Writing Activity: Imaginary Adventures with Mary Poppins
Encourage students to write short stories or essays about going on an adventure with Mary Poppins. Provide prompts such as “Where would you go?” or “What magical experiences would you have?” followed by a pair work activity where they share their written pieces for peer feedback. This activity promotes creative thinking, reading comprehension, and writing skills.
ESL Homework Assignment
For homework, students are encouraged to watch the full Mary Poppins movie and take note of any new vocabulary or phrases they encounter. They should choose five unfamiliar words or expressions and create flashcards with the definitions. Additionally, students can write a short summary of their favorite part of the movie, focusing on describing the characters and setting in detail to reinforce their comprehension skills. This assignment aims to consolidate learning from the lesson and promote independent study while fostering a deeper connection with the Mary Poppins story.
Conclusion
Summary
In conclusion, the Mary Poppins ESL Lesson Plan offers an engaging and immersive way for students to develop their English language skills. Throughout the lesson, students explored magical vocabulary, analyzed lyrics from iconic songs, engaged in roleplay activities, and honed their creative writing abilities inspired by the beloved Mary Poppins story.
Reflection
As students reflect on this lesson, they can recognize how exploring language within a familiar and enchanting context enhances their learning experience. They learned to express themselves more fluently through discussions about magical experiences and imaginative adventures while also improving their listening comprehension by analyzing song lyrics. By applying these skills in various activities related to Mary Poppins, students gained confidence in using English creatively and effectively.
Why this topic is great for ESL learning
Enhanced Engagement
The Mary Poppins ESL Lesson Plan provides an opportunity for enhanced engagement due to its captivating and magical theme. The story of Mary Poppins captivates students’ attention, making the learning process more enjoyable and effective.
Creative Language Learning
By integrating elements from the Mary Poppins story, students are encouraged to explore English in a creative and imaginative manner. This approach promotes vocabulary expansion, listening comprehension, and speaking skills in a context that resonates with learners of various levels.
Cultural Understanding
Exploring the world of Mary Poppins allows ESL students to gain insights into Western culture, music, and traditions while practicing their language skills. The iconic characters and settings provide a rich backdrop for cross-cultural exploration within the classroom.
