They train students to express their own ideas. Once I finish a lesson, I ask my students to draw a simple sketch of the most impressive part of the text or to make several sketches telling the story. They can do the assignment at home, in class, or on the blackboard. Down in Pompeii, four miles from the summit, a tremendous explosion was heard. For Button, Button, a student drew a couple conversing at a table.
Students have great fun when they recount the stories and talk about their pictures.
Outside reading I like to find material similar to the text for students to read at their leisure. I ask them to write down the general meanings of the story or their responses to the texts. For instance, after teaching The Big Buffalo Bass, I assigned The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway for students to read and write their responses. Conclusion These warm-up activities motivate students. Not only do they arouse students' interests and associations with the texts, but they can also improve their thinking skills.