# After school activities ## Introduction After school activities are things students do after classes finish. They help you learn new skills, stay healthy, meet friends, and have fun. This guide explains common activities, vocabulary, and practical ideas for doing activities at home, at a concert, at the park, and at a leisure centre. ## 1. At home ### Common activities - **cook** (/kʊk/) — prepare food - **dance** (/dɑːns/) — move to music - **fly** (/flaɪ/) — (for planes or kites) move in the air - **listen to** (/lɪsɪn tə/) — pay attention to sound or music - **make your bed** (/ˌmeɪk jɔːˈbed/) — arrange your bedding neatly - **sleep** (/sliːp/) — rest at night - **talk to** (/tɔːk tə/) — speak with someone - **tidy up** (/ˌtaɪdi ˈʌp/) — clean and organize > Definition: "tidy up" means putting things in the right place so the room looks neat. ### Practical examples - After school, you can **cook** a simple sandwich and **listen to** music while you eat. - Spend 10 minutes to **tidy up** your desk before doing homework. ## 2. A concert ### Musical instruments vocabulary - **bass guitar** (/beɪs ɡɪˈtɑː(r)/) - **cello** (/tʃeləʊ/) - **clarinet** (/ˌklærəˈnet/) - **drums** (/drʌmz/) - **guitar** (/ɡɪˈtɑː(r)/) - **piano** (/pɪˈænəʊ/) - **recorder** (/rɪˈkɔːdə(r)/) - **saxophone** (/ˈsæksəfəʊn/) - **trumpet** (/ˈtrʌmpɪt/) - **violin** (/ˌvaɪəˈlɪn/) > Definition: A **concert** is a live performance where musicians play music for an audience. ### Practical examples and tips - If you play **piano**, practice 15 minutes after school to improve. - At a concert, be quiet during songs and clap at the end. Fun fact: Did you know that the modern piano has over 12,000 parts and was developed from the harpsichord in the early 18th century? ## 3. At the park ### Activities vocabulary - **drink a milkshake** (/ˌdrɪŋk ə ˈmɪlkʃeɪk/) - **eat a pie** (/ˌiːt ə ˈpaɪ/) - **feed the ducks** (/ˌfiːd ðə ˈdʌks/) - **give a present** (/ˌɡɪv ə ˈprezənt/) - **kiss her/his mother** (/ˌkɪs hɜːr/) - **play chess** (/ˌpleɪ ˈtʃes/) - **sit** (/sɪt/) - **stand** (/stænd/) - **take a photo** (/ˌteɪk ə ˈfəʊtəʊ/) - **a cup of tea** (/əˌkʌp əv ˈtiː/) - **answer an email** (/ˌɑːnsər an ˈiːmeɪl/) - **champion** (/ˈtʃæmpiən/) - **chess move** (/ˈtʃes muːv/) - **greedy** (/ˈɡriːdi/) > Definition: To **feed the ducks** means to give birds food, usually bread or seeds, but ask a park notice if food is allowed. ### Practical examples - Take a camera to **take a photo** of nature. - Invite a friend to **play chess** on a bench. Did you know ducks can sleep with one eye open because one side of their brain rests while the other stays awake? ## 4. At the leisure centre ### Sports and activities vocabulary - **do athletics** (/duː æθˈletɪks/) - **do gymnastics** (/duː dʒɪmˈnæstɪks/) - **do judo** (/duː ˈdʒuːdəʊ/) - **go dancing** (/ɡəʊ ˈdɑːnsɪŋ/) - **go fencing** (/ɡəʊ ˈfensɪŋ/) - **go swimming** (/ɡəʊ ˈswɪmɪŋ/) - **play badminton** (/ˌpleɪ ˈbædmɪntən/) - **play volleyball** (/ˌpleɪ ˈvɒliˌbɔːl/) - **climbing wall** (/ˈklæmɪŋ wɔːl/) - **leisure centre** (/ˈleʒə ˌsɛntə(r)/) - **noticeboard** (/ˈnəʊtɪsbɔːd/) - **winner** (/ˈwɪnə(r)/) - **lazy** (/ˈleɪzi/) - **hurt** (/hɜːt/) - **try** (/traɪ/) - **fight** (/faɪt/) > Definition: A **leisure centre** is a place with sports and activities you can join, like swimming pools and courts. ### Practical examples and safety tips - Warm up before **do athletics** or **do gymnastics** to avoid injury. - Check the **noticeboard** for class times and prices. Fun fact: Did you know that organized swimming lessons date back to at least the 19th century and helped lower drowning rates? ## 5. Project and clubs - **buggy** (/ˈbʌɡi/) — a small vehicle, sometimes used in science fairs for simple engineering projects - **club** (/klʌb/) — group of students with a shared interest > Definition: A **club** is a group where people meet regularly to practice or discuss a shared hobby. ### Practical ideas - Join a music club to practice