[mesmark]

I'm working with some high school students and they have a difficult time with expressions like:

That's what I want
That's where I hang out

Does anyone have a good activity to introduce or practice this?

[simplyesl]

Are they having diffilculty with the "That's" or "what/where" part of the sentence?

[mesmark]

it's the what what/where part.

The problem is there's no equivalent in Japanese.

They would say:
'That's the thing I want.'
'That's the place I hang out.'

using what and where as pronouns is the real hang up.

any thoughts?

[emile]

Basically, you can substitute 'where' with 'the place that', 'who' with 'the person that', 'what' with 'the thing that'.

Maybe you could come up with some sample dialogues.

Give them some common expressions:

"That's what I'm talking about"

[simplyesl]

I was thinking along the same lines emile. Maybe you could have pile of flashcards/wordcards, one for each of the who, what etc. When a student picks up a card they have to substitute the card into the sentence. e.g. "park" - "That's where I hang out" or "steak" - That's what I eat.

Or maybe you could try saying items and having the kids yell out the sentences. e.g. T says "Steak" S says "That's what i eat."

I hope that helps...

[mesmark]

Thanks for the ideas.

I've been working on clarification with wh- words:

Mark: I went to blahblahblah yesterday and ate a hamburger.
S1: I'm sorry. You went where?
Mark: I went to McDonalds.

Mark: There I met garblygook and we talked about going to see a movie.
S2: I'm sorry. You met who?
Mark: I met my friend from work.

I'm thinking about trying to build off of that.

Mark: I want to go flingly-flangin with my children on Saturday but it's supposed to rain.
S1: You want to do what?
Mark: I want to go flingy-flangin. You know you have the big thing on the string and you run. The it goes up into the air.
S1: You mean flying a kite.
Mark: Yes, that's what I want to do. Fly a kite.

Anyway, that for introduction.

Then on some cards write:
what I have to do
what I need to do
what I want to do
where I want to go
where I usually hang out
...

The students draw a card and then give some examples and try to get the other students to say what's on their card.

I'm still deliberating. The class is on Tues. :|

The big problem is it doesn't seem interesting. Also, beyond our little scripted fun I can't see them using it that much.

I'll definitely try to work with some of the other ideas.