Job Discussion Forums

[rich45]

Hi all,

I am an ALT based in a JH school for the mostpart, but every Friday I go to an elementary school that doesn't have a JTE. So basically I teach grades 1 -6 with no help whatsoever, which is ok with me but I am running out of ideas. Any suggestions?

I really don't like the Eigo Noto book so I use that sparingly, as the kids don't like it either. In the past, lessons that have worked the best have involved small group work using card games, board games, etc, so if anybody can point me in the direction of some good websites I would really appreciate it.

Thanks again,

Rich

[pnksweater]

Englipedia is great for the lackluster Eigo Note. There are multipurpose materials and games, too. http://jhsenglipediaproject.com/default.aspx

How often do your students see you? I teach all elementary grades, too. Most of my schedule is based around 5th and 6th grade. Students usually see me once a month for one or two periods. 1st and 2nd graders are only three times a year, 3rd and 4th graders have four lessons or so a year. Obviously if you�re in the classroom every week, you�ll need more ideas.

Does your school have a basic curriculum, or at least an idea of what they want you to cover for each year? For basic things like colors, animals, and numbers there are lots of kindergarten and other low level ideas online. I like to base lessons for the lowest levels around story books: days of the week and food with The Very Hungry Caterpillar, colors and animals with Brown Bear, Brown Bear. For higher levels we work on numbers, greetings and feelings, favorite sports and foods� really basic stuff. We don�t have many lessons together though, so 2-4 topics a year is plenty.

HTH

[rich45]

[Glenski]

[rich45]

[TokyoLiz]

I'm teaching elementary this year, too. I suggest you look at www.genkienglish.com

You've already started the year without a syllabus? This is only May, and you're probably only four or five lessons in. Consider the first four lessons as diagnostic, I guess

Genki English has suggested syllabus. Have a look.

FWIW, I am using English Note 1 and 2 as a guide for my own syllabus and I derive some materials from the two volumes and teachers manuals. I deviate from the lesson plans and modify the activities to give them a more communicative and cooperative orientation.

The students seem to respond positively to the CD ROM on a projector or big screen TV. We do not use the textbooks. We photocopy only those pages that require pencil and paper. Supplementary materials include Power Point presentations, flashcards and sets of cards used in group activities (sequencing, slap games, role plays, etc.).

I guess I'm a fan of Eigo Note....It's quite well designed, save a few odd bits. The Eigo Note Blog, while not brilliant, does present some good ideas that are not dependent on the use of the books.

[fluffyhamster]

The beginnings of an elementary syllabus I created and had a lot of fun teaching (skip to the third paragraph of the post):
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?p=646217#646217