Last Day Intermediate/Advanced ESL Lesson
Luhrmann's "Sunscreen" Song and Presents Make Memorable Final Class
Jan 8, 2009
For those ESL teachers who want to end class on a sentimental note or to have a memorable last lesson with an adored group of students, this lesson is bound to accomplish it.
It's best used with intermediate to advanced students because the song lyrics are too difficult for low levels. It’s also ideal to have a group of students who have known each other for some time. This heightens the sentimental experience and effectiveness. The lesson will take a full hour, especially if students need additional vocabulary help.
Teachers should be ready for a good deal of preparation, but it's worth it, especially to give students an unforgettable end to their English class.
Goodbye Lesson Materials
- CD player
- CD with Baz Luhrmann’s rendition of "Everybody's Free to Wear Sunscreen"
- Copies of song lyrics with blanks to fill vocabulary words
- Index cards
- Magazine cut-outs of silly or expensive, “presents” to be pasted onto index cards
- Scraps of paper for each student
- Hat or bag from which the presents can be drawn by students
Goodbye Lesson Preparation:
- Prepare the lyrics to “Everybody's Free to Wear Sunscreen" (originally written by Mary Schmich)
- Download “Everybody's Free to Wear Sunscreen" or buy the CD.
- Cut-out various objects in magazines that could be hypothetical presents i.e. (an expensive car, a watch, a dictionary, a lipstick, a pair of sunglasses).
- Paste them onto index cards. Make sure to have one for every student in the class.
Goodbye Lesson Procedure
- Show students a picture of someone in graduation costume. It’s better if it’s the teacher him/herself. Ask students what’s happening in the picture. Next, tell students that they’ll listen to a song. Ask them what they think the song will be about. Elicit graduation and goodbyes.
- Listen to the song twice. First, students should simply listen and afterwards, state the main point. Secondly, students should fill in the missing vocabulary words (one should be the word ‘compliment’). Discussion can ensue about definitions of vocabulary words and students’ favorite or least favorite pieces of advice in the song.
- Next, tell students that they will choose a present from a hat, but it’s not for them. Then, each student will write his/her name on a piece of paper, to be put in the hat. After students choose a name, they will write (directly on the back of the index card) a compliment to that particular person and a reason why they’re receiving the particular present pasted on the index card. A short example: “Dear Louis, You are a very generous person who is always willing to help others. I’m giving you this Ferrari so that you can take your friends for a ride!”
- When everyone’s finished, students give their presents to one another.
This lesson is a great way to give closure to both teacher and student, but between students as well. It works best when a class has gelled well together. At the end of the lesson, the teacher can sit back, relax and watch his or her students thanking one another, smiling, and saying their goodbyes.
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