One of my favorite writing activities involves pairing students after individual brainstorming. Once they've finished writing, they attach their work to the walls around the classroom, allowing everyone to see each other’s work. I ask them to focus on specific areas when giving feedback as they walk around and review each piece. Afterward, we gather as a group, and I provide feedback on each student's work, helping them reflect on their peers' strengths and areas for improvement.
One of my favorite speaking activities encourages students to share their opinions with as many classmates as possible. After individually brainstorming on a topic, I ask half of the students to form a circle in the middle of the class, while the other half forms a circle around them. They begin by speaking to the person directly facing them. When I clap my hands, the outer circle rotates, and students continue speaking to a new classmate. This process repeats until they've shared their thoughts with at least three different people. As they engage in conversation, I walk around to check in, offer feedback, and ensure everyone is participating.
Lesson sequence
You can download the lesson sequence from the link below: