Kids! Kids! Kids!
Presentation at Thailand TESOL, Bangkok,
THE POWER OF PRACTICE
January 18 - 20, 2001
(c)2001 by Nick Miller

NOTE: This top page is a copy of the one page handout was the 'traditional conference material'.
Via the hyperlinks which will be added soon, you will have access to the complete notes, images, and ideas from this presentation
as well as additional material.

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Abstract

In line with the theme of practice, this is a partial repeat (practice, practice, practice!) of some material from the last two years, along with a variety of new material; its emphasis is on fun and useful classroom activities. Primarily for teachers of young children, this presentation is mostly a variety of activities, however the paper includes notes which cover general theory.

... planning a curriculum for such class.

Questions you must ask when making your plan include:

• How long will the class will be?
• Young children's attention span is limited.
• Even in a 20 minute class, I use a minimum of two or three activities, often four or five.
• Each lesson should be repeated at least once.
• What does the school expect?
• Does the school have specific points you must teach?
• Any restrictions on activities, rewards, etc.?
• What resources are available?
• Does your school have a library, tools and supplies, or do you have to improvise?
• Do you have a big budget, or are you limited to junk you can find in the garbage? (Don't knock that garbage!)
• What level are the students?
• Any native speakers? Returnees?
• Is it a gifted or special education program?
• Mixed levels?
• What are you comfortable with?
• Can you sing? Dance? Sit on the floor?
• Play with the kids?
• Wear unusual clothes?
• If you are not comfortable with an activity - don't do it.
• Are you afraid to try new things?
• Do you improvise, use outside resources; fellow teachers, conferences, & especially your brain!
• Do you, 'push' them a little?
• I believe more teachers err by teaching down than teaching up!

... design class materials.

Class materials depend on the curriculum, lesson plan, resources, etc. Some materials are inexpensive, others are costly and require advanced ordering. Who pays? Can you afford the best, or are you on a shoe-string budget?

An idea for career teachers: think ahead. If you have the money and storage space, consider buying on sale, trips and off-season. Buy seasonal goods the day after the festival! Think creatively! Save your junk. Fishing boxes are great organizers. Here are a few 'recycling' ideas:

• Colored wax shavings. Use for 'art work', or gift wrap; place a sheet of paper over it and lightly iron (warm!).
• Large old plastic tarps, the kind used at picnics, can be made into a variety of board games, kids size!
• Milk and juice cartons with a square base can be cut and made into dice, sides can be anything you want.
• Old aprons can be cut to size, used for teaching body parts, inside and out, to protect during painting, as costumes, etc.
• Plastic tray with compartments, from products, can aid in teaching number recognition, counting, and arithmetic.
• Toilet/paper towel tubes, can be used as stethoscopes, telescopes, to transport posters, etc.!

Make materials ahead of time to avoid last minute problems.

... balance English learning, general skills development & good fun.

At this age many feel serious study is not practical. The main thing is to make the kids sense that English is fun; something they desire. Balance excitement, English studies and activities that reinforce their regular native language lessons, such as motor coordination, volunteerism, color, number and shape recognition, etc.

... create the magic that makes them glad to see you.

Establish a rapport and the students will welcome your class. Variety is the key to keeping their interest. Some activities keep their interest, but presentations should be short. If their interest fades, move on. Always have more activities on hand than you plan to accomplish.

Select Classroom Activities:

• Bingo. Using pictures of words they know, make a series of bingo cards (a 3 x 3 is suitable for this age, a 3 x 4 or even a 4 x 4 may work for older students.) Make a set of larger matching cards, to draw from and show if need be. Can be used with any collection of words, especially seasonal for party games. Can even be used with A, B, Cs.
• Dialog helpers. Your team teacher, puppets, cards of people/animals can be used to simulate dialogs.
• Board races. Have teams race to the board one by one to write the A, B, Cs or perform some other task.
• Collaborative puzzle solving. Have them work in teams to assemble puzzles or do projects.
• Greeting Cards. Have them make seasonally appropriate cards; give them appropriate cards.
• Magic (for small tangible objects). Use simple magic tricks to stimulate their interest in the topic, hide things and get them to name what is missing, etc.
• Drawing and teamwork (for the body). Have Ss trace an S's body; all color. Use to reinforce body parts.
• TPR (for words, numbers, items, colors, etc.) Place items on the wall around a large room. Say the name of an item, Ss run to stand by it. Can also be used with questions like "What is your favorite ...?" Can also be used to test first letter recognition, i.e. display the letters yet say the associated words or vice versa.
• Seasonal activities: I am a firm believer in seasonal themes, regardless of their basis (i.e. climate, national or religious holidays, special events, etc.) Children do best when they have repetition, and by having a 'theme' for a given period allows you to develop many related activities, but around a core idea which gives the kids a sense of security. I particularly like to 'teach' intercultural thinking at this age. Kids are open and flexible. In general, I try to pick from a variety of cultures. However in your situation that may not be possible, but you can still choose local cultural activities and teach THEM in English. You can make neat tree ornaments with construction paper, foil and a student photo!

Song adaptations and uses:

• If you're happy and you know it. Make sure the students understand the action verbs.
• Old McDonald. This can be used to teach animals, they can make the sounds and mimic actions.
• Ten little Indians. This can be turned into a TPR activity with ten students.
• We wish you a Merry Christmas. This song can also be done with TPR activities.
• Where is Thumbkin. This activity can be used to learn a variety of objects, animals, fruits, etc.
• The list goes on, adapt your favorites. (Almost any song can have some action, be creative!)

Oldies but goodies:

There were many old favorites when I was a kid, things kids did just for fun. Many of these can be used in your classes at this age, ask other natives (any natives, not just teachers!) what they did as kids. Just a few that come to mind:

Simon Says. Red Light - Green Light. Jump Rope. Board and card games. Ring around the Rosie. Red Rover. Patty Cake. Playground activities.

Well, for those who like to keep in touch, I recently moved to the Czech Republic. Please be sure to mention you met me here, and if you send email please put something in the subject line (I do not read the ton of spam I get!) You can reach me at: nicktt@cleanfun.cz .