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baby predator · Posted: Tue May 27, 2003 1:32 am Post subject: useful materials for kids

Can anyone recommend some good books/resources containing communicative activities for young children? Most books seem to rely rather heavily on "fill in the blanks" type grammar and vocab activities or time filling arts and crafts nonsense. I'm interested in hearing about some titles that focus on getting kids to speak without giving them scissors. Twisted Evil

Do you use books designed specifically for kids, or are there adult books which you adapt ideas from? I'd be grateful for some new suggestions.

megs · Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 37 Location: Dubai, UAE

For children who can already read and write, I recommend from Heinemann publishers
"Songs and Games for Children" by David Paul and
"Heinemann Children's Games" by Maria Toth.

From Cambridge University Press, I really like
"Primary Activity Box" by Caroline Nixon and Michael Tomlinson.
It has lots of communicative activities that really get children speaking.

All of these books are resource books with lots of ideas.

As for textbooks, I like "I spy" for young learners and "Stepping Stones I" for children in grades 1-3. I've never worked with I spy beyond the first book, but I'm using Stepping Stones 3 at the moment with 4th, 5th and 6th graders and it's working well for us.

If you think you can get into picture stories, then get a copy of "Do and Understand" by Gunter Gerngross and Herbert Puchta (Longman 1996). I use these stories very often and am always amazed how quickly the children really learn the sentences, and learn them correctly.

I've got a whole list of other books too, but they are packed away because I'm moving on Friday. If you want some more titles, then email me and I'll send you the names when I've unpacked (hopefully by Sunday!)
Megs
[email protected]

Kent F. Kruhoeffer · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 2129 Location: 中国

Dear baby predator:

If I had to suggest just one resource where you can find and order from a large selection of kids' books, it would be from the 2 Oxford University Press links below.

Several of the newer titles toward the top of the list are specifically geared toward the communicative approach.

For American-style English, click on this link:

http://www.oup.com/elt/tr/catalogue/americanprimary/

For British-style English, click on this link:

http://www.oup.com/elt/global/catalogue/primary/

Regards,
kENt

baby predator · Posted: Tue May 27, 2003 10:59 am Post subject:

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I'm compiling a list now in anticipation of a big shopping trip to the foreign languages book store.

Kent, the first book I found on the OUP site is my absolute favorite: 'Young Learners' by Sarah Phillips. I got this as a gift from a considerate friend a few years ago, but it should be in everyone's library.

As an aside, I wonder if anyone else has read the wonderful books on educating children by John Holt? I've read 'How Children Learn' and 'How Children Fail' and both have contributed immensely to my understanding of how best to meet kids' educational needs.

Kent F. Kruhoeffer · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 2129 Location: 中国

Hi baby predator:

Shopping for books is always fun. Cool

btw ... You may already know this; John Holt sold the distribution rights to his books to an organization called "Fun-Books". If you go to the link below, you can still browse and buy his stuff online:

http://www.fun-books.com/johnholtsbookstore.htm

Happy shopping Exclamation

keNt
________________________________________

Give me a fish and I eat today; teach me to fish and I quit this crappy job and go fishing.

Jojo · Joined: 25 Mar 2003 Posts: 119 Location: Ontario, Canada

Good suggestions in this thread..

Baby Predator,
I am not sure exactly what grade/age you are teaching and what level you are teaching at but, here are a few suggestions.

http://www.carolhurst.com/profsubjects/reading/readingaloud.html

Here you will find books to read aloud to children from grades K-8.
Along with professional educational books and teaching activities.

www.falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/carle.htm
www.eric-carle.com/

Eric Carle is a beloved Author, Illustrator who is known for his storybooks for children.

www.thundridge.herts.sch.uk/jollyphonics.html
http://www.juniorenglish.de/jolly_phonics_method_for_learnin.htm

Started up in the UK, Jolly Phonics is teaching the 40+sounds using the sounds of the alphabet accompanied by physical gesturing of sounds. Here in Canada most schools start the Jolly Phonics program in SK/Grade 1.

If you have any other questions feel free to ask.
Hope this helps.

Jojo · Joined: 25 Mar 2003 Posts: 119 Location: Ontario, Canada

Woops, I reread your post and I don't think I answered your question. Since you were looking for some good communicative books.. Check out this EFL website on helpful resources/books for teaching English.

http://www.esl-lounge.com/eslbooks5.html

woza17 · Joined: 25 May 2003 Posts: 602 Location: china

This is a very good web site for games and such. Just type in genkienglish, lots of free stuff
Regards Carol

baby predator · Posted: Fri May 30, 2003 6:31 am Post subject:

Thanks for all your suggestions guys and gals. Much appreciated! Very Happy

Just been checking out the Chatterbox series. There's some nice project stuff in there.

What series of books do y'all use? Anyone else battling with the terrible Brainwaves books? Any recommendations?