Advice Box

Let’s Share! One-point Advice

Vol. 44 Recommendable picture books for trial lessons?

Which picture book do you recommend for a trial lesson?
Here is a lesson example with “Vol.2  A Beautiful Butterfly” picture book.

 

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All 10 of our picture books are suitable for trial lessons. Each book contains character formation through the language education. With these picture books kids can enjoy guessing what to expect next.

 

“A Beautiful Butterfly” is one of the most popular books among different ages.

 

IMGA0046-2　　IMGA0047-2

 

Every time you turn the pages, let children guess what the caterpillar will eat on the next page. It is okay for kids to guess in Japanese, the teacher can translate and teach the words in English.

 

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Prepare some photo copies of the coloring butterfly before the lesson.

 

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After the reading, children can color the butterfly in the way they think it’s beautiful. If the trial lesson is run by two teachers, one can talk to their parents about the lesson while the other teacher helping kids to color the butterfly.

 

 

After coloring, children introduce their colored butterfly to the class, saying “This is my beautiful butterfly”

 

Cut the butterfly out and make a paper puppet with chopsticks. This will be a souvenir from the trial lesson.

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Vol. 43 Ideas and methods for a trial lesson?

Please advice some ideas and methods for a trial lesson?
Here is a popular activity for children in the beginners level.

 

“Let’s Make a Face” (3 to 10 years old)

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Using different parts  in various colors,  sizes and shapes.

 

TMLet's make a face (Reference: Teacher’s Manual English) *Click to enlarge

 

Pick a face and explain what it looks like. Kids guess which face is the teacher talking about, they will be excited to hear how the faces that they made will be explained.

 

After the activity, listen to  chant：Let’s Make a Face  and repeat the target words. (Face parts in this case.)

 

After the lesson, explain the purpose of the lesson to the parents.

  1. Importance of expressing one’s thoughts.
  2. Importance of being creative in a situation without solid answers.
  3. Improvement in listening skill
  4. Importance of enjoying the topic with chants.
  5. Importance of knowing foreign looks : eyes and hair in different colors.

While talking to parents, kids can draw faces using their imagination.

 

This activity is included in “Learning World Book 1 Activity Sheets 90”.

Click here for more details

 

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Color Kyogu No.31　Let’s Make a Face  order online

Vol. 5 First to third grade in the same class. Learning World 1?

I have a class with students from first grade through third grade. Should I use Learning World 1?
Learning World 1 is best for students who have at least 2 years experience studying English. You could also use it with students who have studied English for one year who are in the third grade.

For your class with mixed-age students, you should use WELCOME to Learning World YELLOW as a warm-up book before using Learning World 1. YELLOW’s chants, songs and short dialogues are a fun way for students to start learning English.

*You could also consider WELCOME to Learning World BLUE for a warm-up text before Learning World 1. YELLOW and BLUE are about the same level and cover similar topics, but with some variations in topic, vocabulary and target language.

Vol. 4 Beginner class of kindergarteners: WELCOME YELLOW? PINK?

I have a class of kindergarteners who are studying English for the first time. Can I use WELCOME to Learning World YELLOW? Or is it too hard to start with YELLOW without doing PINK first?
WELCOME to Learning World YELLOW is recommended for kindergarten (nen-cho) students who are studying English for the first time. Students do not necessarily need to study PINK first. YELLOW is designed for beginning students to have fun and train their ears to hear English through fun songs and chants, and simple dialogues. The short dialogues between friends are perfect for students of this age.

PINK follows the daily life of a child and interaction with Mom and Dad. This text is recommended especially for 3-4 year olds, whose lives are centered more around interaction with their parents than with their friends.

Vol. 2 Students from ages 3 to 6 in the same class. Which WELCOME text?

I have students ranging from ages 3 to 6 in the same class. Which WELCOME to Learning World textbook should I use?

For this class WELCOME to Learning World YELLOW is probably best. YELLOW is recommended for older preschool classes with no, or very limited, English background. If the class were divided into two groups, WELCOME to Learning World PINK would be recommended for the 3-4 year olds, and YELLOW for the 5-6 year olds.

(With small children, having students with age ranges of over 3 years apart is not recommended. You encounter problems with developmental milestones and issues with motor skills. For example, how to hold a pencil and apply appropriate pressure. If the class is too large, you will also have a hard time making progress and advancing. If you can split the class into two, that would really be best.)