Ideas

So, I had this idea at some point in the US or maybe even before but in Boone, NC I had more time to think (in Estonia I only have to work).
Well, the idea was to have the students think about what they would like to learn and then they should search for a "how-to" video on the topic, post it on wiki and try to do the same thing and introduce it in class.
I chose my technology class as guinea-pigs for this "great" idea.
Of course, I didn't realise how much fun has been made of all the absolutely stupid how-to videos on the web...
But some of the people from that class pointed it out to me.

Viral Video FILM School

MAKES FUN OF THE HOW-TO VIDEOS
Don't be afraid of the girl in apron - it's not that bad :)

This guy for example makes fun of the how-to stuff

When you watch it - start at about 2:58

(and thanks, Pablo, for showing him to me in Boone - he's hilarious)

You might start to think that this is a really stupid idea to use how-to videos in your English class BUT actually we did have a lot of fun and they had to listen to the video and watch it carefully in order to come up with anything.

In addition to these (a box, a crane, a ninja star weapon made of paper [English reading text], pencil crossbow and a Noah's Arc) there was a guy who learned to draw Bart Simpson, a girl who learned to make Lady Gaga hairdo to her little sister, one boy who learned how to tie his tie properly and a guy who gave me a rose made out of a napkin (a useful thing if you are out on a date with no money). All in all, I enjoyed it. 

And with a more motivated class the procedure might have been:

1. Think about what you would like to know about, what would you like to learn how to make (can be food, hairdo, origami, card trick - anything you are interested in) - I showed them the crocheted flower and a brochure made of A4 paper that I had learned to make.
2. Find a how-to video that will teach it to you.
3. Post the video to a wiki (Mahara :D or whatever common web-environment that you could be using)
4. Describe your reasons why you want to learn how to do this thing
5. Learn how to do it
6. Show the results (either pictures, videos or real thing in classroom) to the classmates
7. Tell them if it's difficult and how you feel now that you can do it.

The list is my ideal lesson. At least I took some small steps forward and tried something like that for a change. It helps if you have a topic of HOBBIES or FREE-TIME activities at the same time - so you wouldn't feel that you're wasting precious language lesson time :)