Hey all,

So my new section of English conversation class starts next week (I teach 8 week sessions) and I thought the first session didn't go so well. So, I decided to choose a new topic/theme that could take me through the whole 8 weeks, and got the idea for using the BBC show Merlin from this site.

However, I didn't find many resources for using the show. So I came up with a plan. My conversation class is two 45 minute periods each Wednesday. The plan is to introduce new vocabulary with a PPT and simultaneously have the students write down these definitions on their worksheets at the beginning of class. Then we will watch the episode. There are questions that the students should answer while watching. Finally, after watching we will have a brief discussion, and the students will answer questions related to the episode, as well as complete a word search and  a comic drawing activity about what they think will happen in next week's episode.

The episode itself is 45 minutes, so that will take 1 period. The remaining 45 minutes should hopefully be filled with the PPT intro, post-watching worksheet questions, word search, comic, and discussions activities.

Let me know what you all think, or if you have any suggestions. I like this idea because it should take some pressure off of me, keep them entertained (hopefully), they'll learn some new words, and practice their writing skills. Let me know how this goes!

I loooooooove this. I teach each class (6 classes total, I think) two 45 min conversation classes a week, so I don't think it will work for me as is. I'm not sure, but I don't think it's really going to go over well if I just have the girls watch a movie for one whole class, lol. But I might try breaking the episode up and doing it that way. My co-teachers don't give me any direction and just tell me to do whatever I want, so I need fun, interesting things to do with my girls. This is really good.

I'll let you know if I use it and how it goes :)

I loooooooove this. I teach each class (6 classes total, I think) two 45 min conversation classes a week, so I don't think it will work for me as is. I'm not sure, but I don't think it's really going to go over well if I just have the girls watch a movie for one whole class, lol. But I might try breaking the episode up and doing it that way. My co-teachers don't give me any direction and just tell me to do whatever I want, so I need fun, interesting things to do with my girls. This is really good.

I'll let you know if I use it and how it goes :)

Thanks, I'm about to run it today and we'll see how it goes. I was a little worried about using one whole class for watching, but it was actually my co-teacher who recommended using shows in class (she uses the show "Everybody Hates Chris." So I'm hopeful that it won't be a problem but if it is I can either further break up the episodes or mix in some other activities. If you use it I hope it goes well!

I found S01 Ep01 subbed online here too if anyone needs it.

http://cafe.naver.com/englishtrip/57959

Here are some episode 3 materials. I made a PPT and an original worksheet.

Here's materials for episode 4. It follows the same pattern as last week. Introduce the new words with the PPT & have the students write the definitions. Watch the episode, and then finish the first page and then complete page 2.

Here are the materials for Episode 6. I included a word scramble in this week's worksheet.

Thanks for the ppts and the materials! My 3rd and 2nd grade middle school boys (all boys school) love it!

Just in case someone, like myself, doesn't want to download the entire season. I use mgoon.com website to look for the episodes. It already has the subtitles on it. Only problem is that it is missing episode 2 of the first season  However, my students don't mind at all they love the show.

I would definitely suggest talking to them about the legend of Merlin and King Arthur. It really gets them interested in watching it even more. 

http://www.mgoon.com/search/v?search_keyword=merlin+s1  = all season 1, except ep02.

I'm glad your kids are enjoying it! That's a good idea about explaining the legend. I actually just finished "The Warlord Chronicles," a book series by Bernard Cornwell, which is all about Arthur, Merlin, Lancelot, and many other characters from this time period. The show obviously portrays the characters differently than the book. Since there are very few historical records from the time period, it appears that Arthur most likely did exist as a great warlord, but the idea of Merlin seems much more fictional, especially with the way he is shown in the tv series. Regardless, it would be very interesting to talk about.

Thanks for the show link as well. That should help a lot of people on here who had trouble finding either the show or the subtitles.

This is actually my last conversation class of the year. I'm not sure my schedule for the new school year starting in March yet. If I do continue to have conversation class then I will continue making these worksheets. If not though then this might be the end of my own worksheets for Merlin, although of course anyone else can contribute their own resources to this thread.

Glad its worked well for you!

Quote from: maddragonqueen on November 17, 2015, 02:33:23 PM

I loooooooove this. I teach each class (6 classes total, I think) two 45 min conversation classes a week, so I don't think it will work for me as is. I'm not sure, but I don't think it's really going to go over well if I just have the girls watch a movie for one whole class, lol. But I might try breaking the episode up and doing it that way. My co-teachers don't give me any direction and just tell me to do whatever I want, so I need fun, interesting things to do with my girls. This is really good.

I'll let you know if I use it and how it goes :)

Thanks, I'm about to run it today and we'll see how it goes. I was a little worried about using one whole class for watching, but it was actually my co-teacher who recommended using shows in class (she uses the show "Everybody Hates Chris." So I'm hopeful that it won't be a problem but if it is I can either further break up the episodes or mix in some other activities. If you use it I hope it goes well!

I was FINALLY able to do this lesson in my winter camp today! It went pretty well. I made a PPT to introduce the King Arthur legend, which they were interested in, and I edited your worksheets a bit to include some stuff I've been teaching them this week. They all really liked the show and it went over pretty well! My students are too low level for the last page of the worksheet, so I did a discussion with them instead after watching the episode. Overall, it was pretty good!

Thanks, everyone! This thread inspired me to dedicate a week of camp to the series. It was a hit with my middle schoolers!

I covered one episode (introduction, episode plus review activity) in a 90 minute period.