Just an idea. I have been opening my class with music. Playing a piece of music that is slow enough that they could hear the words and with not a lot of instrumentation so they can hear clearly. I have used music from the 1970's : Paul Simon, Carol King, James Taylor, Stevie Wonder. We listen to it once after I explain what it's about then I hand out the words and we listen to it in parts. I stop the cd and explain the words they don't know or the meaning of idioms (there are so many). BUt I find its an entertaining way to start class. I teach adults so I would think that highschool students would identify even more with the music.
Good luck!
