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DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP
Joined: 28 May 2009
Location: Electron cloud
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 Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 5:32 pm Post subject: HOW TO TEACH ABC's QUESTION |
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Ok so I'm teaching my kindy studetns the alphabet from scratch.
I've got up to AaBbCcDdEe so far with three words for each (ant, apple, alligator etc.)
I write the letter on the whiteboard (eg Aa) in both cases with three flash cards below it (ant, apple, alligator.) I tell them and get them to repeat the letter's name, the phonetic sound and then the word eg -
'A. A. Ah Ah. A. A. Ah Ah Ant. A. A. Ah Ah Apple. A. A. Ah Ah Alligator.'
Etc. I also use fun chants and actions that go with each picture.
But I'm thinking that trying to teach them both upper (UC) and lower case (LC) may be too difficult and too much to take in. They must also be confused as most UC and LC letters don't look at all alike. I'd be like - 'eh why are there two A's etc...?'
So is it best to teach LC or UC first?
And then how would one go about introducing the concept of the other case and then teaching that?
I'm their first ever English teacher so it really is the 1st time they are learning all of this. I've found they pick up things with names (food, animals, actions) really easy, but am having a harder time with the alphabet, it's not seeming to stick.... I also have no Korean split teacher who co teaches the same stuff in Korean like you get in a hakwan, it's all just me....
Cheers for any constructive advice / info
DMGB |
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vegemite99
Joined: 23 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 5:38 pm Post subject: |
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| Sounds like you are doing a great job just as you are. I teach primary school in the real world, and teach Upper and Lower case at the same time. |
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DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP
Joined: 28 May 2009
Location: Electron cloud
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| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 5:56 pm Post subject: |
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| vegemite99 wrote: |
| Sounds like you are doing a great job just as you are. I teach primary school in the real world, and teach Upper and Lower case at the same time. |
Thanks Vege, I'm trying my best.
By the real word, I guess you're talking back home and by the use of primary I'd gather you're from the UK, NZ or OZ. Native English speaking primary school kids are older and also natives so understanding the way their own alphabet works and learning it in their own language is a lot easier for them than 3 years old Korean kids who also have to know the Korean alphabet which doesn't have the uppper and lower case differances I'm thinking...
I could well be doing it right for all I know though... I wonder if anyone out there has some tips for teaching abc's for very young 2nd language learners...? |
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Snowflake
Joined: 12 Dec 2006
Location: Seoul
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DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP
Joined: 28 May 2009
Location: Electron cloud
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| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 6:08 pm Post subject: |
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Okay whilst I appreciate the links etc and know you are trying to be helpful....
Please assume I already know all the sites and all the songs (I do.)
Can we look at specifically addressing the actual question I asked.
Please understand
thanks |
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lifeinkorea
Joined: 24 Jan 2009
Location: somewhere in China
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| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 7:17 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| So is it best to teach LC or UC first? |
They probably already know UC. However, I would start there anyway, cause letters like "a" don't look the same when actually written. Students are more confused with LC. L's and I's are another, l and I look the same. Students will add a curl at the bottom of "t" which looks like a "j". They dot their i's and j's before making the line.
These are a few things you have to deal with when teaching lower case. Get a handout with letters greyed and have students trace those with a pencil. Work with each student individually so they get the physical mechanics down.
Write the letter "a" on the board as it is supposed to be written (circle with a line down on the right). Then write the letter "u" with the side lines up and down, not on an angle. Then write what looks like an "a" but not with a complete circle. It will look like either an "a" or a "u" with the lines facing to the upper right. Circle the gap and show them to "COMPLETE the circle" when writing "a" and to make the lines up and down when writing a "u". I draw arrows pointing up above both lines in "u" and say up and down to them.
You can also show them "h" has a line that goes all the way up, but "n" doesn't. Some students will write their "r" and "n" the same way. They don't like to write in a straight line, so make sure they get these down correctly. When they write "b", they often write "d" by mistake. Get them to remember "dog" and "bag", something short and simple. In that case, you don't want to focus on just the letter but words. You can use flashcards.
Get them them spelling the words and saying the letters. After they condition themselves to spell correctly, then when they go to write they will more likely spell the letters correctly as well. |
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DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP
Joined: 28 May 2009
Location: Electron cloud
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| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 7:45 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| They probably already know UC. |
Lol why won't any one person just actually read the full OP? Please?
They know nada, I'm their first ever english teacher. Most of them are 3 yrs old.
We don't do writing either, I didn't mention that, they are simply just too young.
I think I'll stick with UC first and then when I do LC afterwards, I'll ask their Korean teacher to explain why there are 2 cases and then I'll teach them a new 3 words for each letter of the alphabet in LC and then they should realise that both letters have the same phonetic sound and is partner to the UC letter.... |
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macattack123
Joined: 28 Oct 2009
Location: United Kingdom
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| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:26 pm Post subject: |
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I just asked my mumma (she's a primary teacher) and here's what we both think and is what i will probably do. I mean if it works in a Uk school it'll work on a bunch of 3 yr olds....i think????
Teach the kids LC first, using all the things you have like flashcards, poems, songs, etc etc etc...
Once you feel the kids have a grasp of the sounds and you think they can link the letters to the sounds THEN you can introduce UC.
(Keep records of what kids grasp things quicker or you'll have some kid's who are awesome and others who suck, then your left with a split class)
Get 3 set's of flash cards, one that has picture and LC, one that has picture and UC and one that has everything. (sparklebox.xom) One day introduce the flash card, of an apple with the UC 'A'. Say in a booming voice "A is for AAAAPPLE" or however you want to say it but make it loud. The kids will think your a right weirdo. Then suddenly introduce the card with the LC apple and whisper "aaaaapple". Again, they will be defo paying attention but looking at you like your a *beep*. Finally whip out the card with both and from there, you have a routine. Using the sound flux with UC and LC not only keeps the kids interested and highly entertained, they will begin to understand that aA is the same thing, CRAZY!!!!
From there you begin to make it harder and harder for them. Games with mixing the letter up and pulling out the UC but whispering the letter. The kids should eventually recognize that your a big fat liar and it should be AAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!
Eventually weed out the loud/quiet thing and from there, the kids should able to tell the difference between uppercase and lowercase.
Did this help? Probably not..... GOOD LUCK! |
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geldedgoat
Joined: 05 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:27 pm Post subject: |
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| If you are planning on teaching only one case, make sure you choose the case you normally use when writing (which is probably lower case). However, I would teach them both at the time, as it's all new to them anyway. Just don't bother trying to explain the difference yourself; you're right in leaving that to the Korean teacher. |
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DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP
Joined: 28 May 2009
Location: Electron cloud
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| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:34 pm Post subject: |
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| macattack123 wrote: |
I just asked my mumma (she's a primary teacher) and here's what we both think and is what i will probably do. I mean if it works in a Uk school it'll work on a bunch of 3 yr olds....i think????
Teach the kids LC first, using all the things you have like flashcards, poems, songs, etc etc etc...
Once you feel the kids have a grasp of the sounds and you think they can link the letters to the sounds THEN you can introduce UC.
(Keep records of what kids grasp things quicker or you'll have some kid's who are awesome and others who suck, then your left with a split class)
Get 3 set's of flash cards, one that has picture and LC, one that has picture and UC and one that has everything. (sparklebox.xom) One day introduce the flash card, of an apple with the UC 'A'. Say in a booming voice "A is for AAAAPPLE" or however you want to say it but make it loud. The kids will think your a right weirdo. Then suddenly introduce the card with the LC apple and whisper "aaaaapple". Again, they will be defo paying attention but looking at you like your a *beep*. Finally whip out the card with both and from there, you have a routine. Using the sound flux with UC and LC not only keeps the kids interested and highly entertained, they will begin to understand that aA is the same thing, CRAZY!!!!
From there you begin to make it harder and harder for them. Games with mixing the letter up and pulling out the UC but whispering the letter. The kids should eventually recognize that your a big fat liar and it should be AAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!
Eventually weed out the loud/quiet thing and from there, the kids should able to tell the difference between uppercase and lowercase.
Did this help? Probably not..... GOOD LUCK! |
On the contrary sir. Very useful advice which I will be utilising! I'll probably do UC first but apart from that, I like it. Also like the idea of the shouting / whisper lesson plan...! Thanks a lot! |
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macattack123
Joined: 28 Oct 2009
Location: United Kingdom
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| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:46 pm Post subject: |
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It's okay, im full of wisdom!!! Let me know how that works out for you.
I'm a lady by the way.... |
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ddeubel
Joined: 20 Jul 2005
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| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:21 pm Post subject: |
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I got this from EFL Classroom's Teacher Toolbox. Alphabet writing , might be of help .
Search "alphabet " on the site and there are several threads full of great resources for the alphabet too. Jan Brett is another I recommend.
Also, if you are into it, there is a nice set of videos, one for each letter....with basic vocab and showing both lower and upper case and how to make it. Go Here
My fav. abc thing is beebo's zoo. Don't have a link but it is superb.
DD
http://eflclassroom.com |
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DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP
Joined: 28 May 2009
Location: Electron cloud
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| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:35 pm Post subject: |
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| Thanks but once again, they will NOT be doing writing, they are 3. |
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Snowflake
Joined: 12 Dec 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 10:06 pm Post subject: |
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| macattack123 wrote: |
I just asked my mumma (she's a primary teacher) and here's what we both think and is what i will probably do. I mean if it works in a Uk school it'll work on a bunch of 3 yr olds....i think????
Teach the kids LC first, using all the things you have like flashcards, poems, songs, etc etc etc...
Once you feel the kids have a grasp of the sounds and you think they can link the letters to the sounds THEN you can introduce UC.
(Keep records of what kids grasp things quicker or you'll have some kid's who are awesome and others who suck, then your left with a split class)
Get 3 set's of flash cards, one that has picture and LC, one that has picture and UC and one that has everything. (sparklebox.xom) One day introduce the flash card, of an apple with the UC 'A'. Say in a booming voice "A is for AAAAPPLE" or however you want to say it but make it loud. The kids will think your a right weirdo. Then suddenly introduce the card with the LC apple and whisper "aaaaapple". Again, they will be defo paying attention but looking at you like your a *beep*. Finally whip out the card with both and from there, you have a routine. Using the sound flux with UC and LC not only keeps the kids interested and highly entertained, they will begin to understand that aA is the same thing, CRAZY!!!!
From there you begin to make it harder and harder for them. Games with mixing the letter up and pulling out the UC but whispering the letter. The kids should eventually recognize that your a big fat liar and it should be AAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!
Eventually weed out the loud/quiet thing and from there, the kids should able to tell the difference between uppercase and lowercase.
Did this help? Probably not..... GOOD LUCK! |
Aaah.....this would have been my next post!!  
I'll use this as well I think for my 1st grade..thanks. |
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liquidhotmagma
Joined: 27 Jun 2009
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| Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 12:09 am Post subject: |
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I teach preschool, my class is from 20months to about 3 years old. Starting from scratch as well. Here's how we do it.
We do one letter a week, starting with A. We have flashcards with a bunch of objects that start with each letter and little models (i.e. toy alligator). We teach them both UC and LC at the same time.
We also do letter related worksheets and crafts (i.e. alligator craft) each day and repeat the words a lot (a.a.a.alligator!). By the time we finish, they are really good at naming the letters and even can volunteer some objects that start with the letter. It is slow going, but very effective.
Our school has the kids writing at the age, although it is mostly tracing dotted lines, but it works really well. Have some websites, but I saw that you have already found your good sites.
Hope this helps. |
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