This is a classic speaking activity in which students adopt a character and argue that they shouldn't be thrown out of a sinking hot-air balloon. With a couple of tweaks it makes for a fantastic online speaking lesson.
Getting Started
Set up Breakout Roooms giving each the name of a different profession (“Politicians” “Scientists” “Musicians”, etc.). The students assigned to each group have to think of famous examples of their profession and change their name on Zoom to one of them (e.g. Scientists: Albert Eintein, Charles Darwin, Marie Curie.)
To do this, simply right-click on your video and select "Rename" from the drop down menu.
Next, students assume their personality and argue why they were/are important to the world. Each group then comes up with a list of reasons why the world needs them more than it needs the other groups.
At TESOL Spain this year Harry Water’s talked about some of the creative opportunities that come from students being able to change their names on zoom (Many of his ideas can be found in this article here although not the one about the names!)
Main Activity
Explain the scenario
(Audience participation questions in blue italics)
You are going to go into a Hot-Air Balloon with the people of other professions.
Unfortunately, a freak gust of wind blows you towards a mountain range (which mountain range?).
... And there's a problem (what's the problem?) You're too low.
The balloon is going to crash if you don't gain altitude. (What should you do?)
..... You need to lose weight, (but how?).
The only way to clear the mountains and survive is throw 2 people out of the balloon.
Each person in the group will have 60 seconds to explain why they should stay in the balloon. When I (teacher) send a message to the groups, each person should vote for one celebrity who should stay. The 2 people with fewest votes have to jump out of the balloon (leave the breakout room).
In the image below Elon, Serena, Taylor and Leonel have all sacrificed themselves for the greater good!.
To ensure the activity runs smoothly:
Assign a person in each group to time students and organise the vote (The politicians, for example).
Make it very clear that students are voting for the famous alter-ego, not each other.
Check and double-check. How long does each person speak? When do we vote? Who leaves the breakout room? Who stays in the breakout room?
Follow up Activity
Mix up the students still in balloons and repeat the activity (you've cleared the first mountains, but now there's another even higher one!). Meanwhile tell the students who were ejected that they've survived the fall but, in order to make it through until the rescue services arrive, they are going to have to eat 2 of them: who should it be?
There are many variations of this activity:
Who should get on the spaceship before the earth explodes
Who gets to go in the only lifeboat
Who gets eaten after a plane crash
But they all follow the same basic procedure and can work brilliantly online!