Jun 14, 2009

City of Ember: Future Continuous

This movie is for children and teens but it has a great message for the whole family. I enjoyed watching it. The opening scenes are great for the students to practice the future continuous tense in a contextualized manner.



A. Imagine the following situation:



On the day the world ended, the fate of mankind was carried in a metal box. Scientists and engineers met and decided to build an underground city to protect people for the next generations. they will keep the people in the city for 200 years hoping the world will be inhabitable then. In the box, there are instructions about how to leave the underground city. The people in this city, Ember, do not know there is an outside world.



B. Check the alternatives with the information you think will be taking place in Ember when the box opens in 200 years.


( ) 1. People still live underground
( ) 2. Citizens experience several power blackouts during the day.
( ) 3. The world is falling apart
( ) 4. Children live for playing.
( ) 5. Teens work hard
( ) 6. The city mayor will determine the population’s occupations.
( ) 7. People live in comfortable houses
( ) 8. People face serious difficulties
( ) 9. People own modern cars.
( ) 10. People work as engineers, doctors and scientists.
( ) 11. People work as electricians, potato peelers and messengers.
( ) 12. Citizens work on computers.



C. Now watch the segment and check if you were right.


D. Now rewrite 8 of the sentences in exercise B using the future continuous tense.


Ex: People will still be living underground.

1 ...............................................................................

2...............................................................................

3...............................................................................

4..............................................................................

5.............................................................................

6..............................................................................

7..............................................................................

8.............................................................................


Answer Key:

The true sentences are:
1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 10.


How to prepare your own video activity:

- Select a scene in that takes place in the future.

- The scene must contain a time marker so that the students can use the future continuous tense meaningfully.

- Write a few sentences with possible alternatives for what will be taking plave when something else happens (the time marker). Use the simple present tense.

- The students watch the scene and decide which ones are true.

- The students rewrite the sentences using the grammar goal.






MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - CITY OF AMBER



WORKSHEET

12 comments:

Sabrina Ga said...

Congratulations: your site is amazing!
You did an incredible work.
BRILLIANT!!!!!!

Claudio Azevedo said...

Thanks, Sabrina. I'm glad you like it. Come back often.

AlexPup said...

Claudio, you have no idea how helpful this one has been to me. Thank you very much indeed!
To add to the original activity, we also had fun giving explanations of the jobs assigned to the kids.
for example:
(pause after each "picker" and ....)
Student 1: What will this boy or girl be doing?
Student 2: (Electrician's Helper) He'll be helping the electrician and will be working in the Generator.

AlexPup said...

This is the first video I've used so far, but, damn, they are all so inspirational. (methodologically speaking). In fact, you've inspired me to create a learning segment of my own. ;)
And giving inspiration, isn't that the characteristic of a supreme teacher?

Claudio Azevedo said...

Dear Alex,

Thank you for the feedback. I love the idea for further practice. I'll add it as your suggestion. Thanks a lot!

Claudio Azevedo said...

Hey Alex

I really think the ideas for the activities are pretty simple. I'm glad they're inspiring because the idea IS to inspire teachers to make their classes more lively, but still consistent. Besides, if teachers manage to be independent and create their own activities, even better. I'd love to see the one you have developed. Can I? See you.

AlexPup said...

OK, Sir, you've asked for it ... ;))))
Can't wait to hear from you. ;)
http://alpup.blogspot.com/2010/05/nine-guessing-meaning-by-context.html

beckyene said...

Dear Claudio,

You are indeed an amazing teacher, an amazing professional. Thank you very much for your kindness in sharing so much. I use a lot of your activities and I feel grateful everyday.

Claudio Azevedo said...

Thanks for your motivating words. I'm really glad the site has been useful. See you.

Limo said...

Please don't make your worksheets in all CAPS! Why?

Also the true sentences are mixed up. One girl works as a potato peeler...so that's true.
There are no cars to be seen in the clip...so why is that true? Also...what says they are living underground...looks above ground to me...

Claudio Azevedo said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Claudio Azevedo said...

Pleased, adapt the worksheet for your needs. I prepare everything fir my own classes and I generously share for free here. If they don't suit you, adapt or don't use them.