Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Clockout]

...and appropriate lesson planning.

This mostly applies to people who plan their lessons from scratch and create their own materials. It especially applies to those who do it without any co-teacher input whatsoever.

So Week 2 of the semester:
I am reviewing verb tense and doing some admittedly boring stuff but I feel it is necessary for them to know this and be capable of using the correct verb in a given situation. I have been starting with a verb tense chart and then having them use that as a tool to complete other work.

Is this a fair starting point for 3rd grade middle school? It has been going OK but occasionally I will have a totally non-responsive class. I realize it isn't the most stimulating material but I am using a variety of activities based on the subject matter.

My biggest challenge, as always, is developing a logical progression of material that builds on itself as the semester goes on. Any input on this would be appreciated.

[cassimira]

Hmmm.... its hard to give you fruitful input without knowing what it is you're doing. You mentioned you are using a "variety of activities." Maybe post a brief, sample lesson plan for us to critique? Otherwise its hard for us to help you with keeping your planning logical yet engaging.

That being said, just a few things I thought about off the top of my head:

I've been doing some verb tense work with children even younger than middle school at my hagwon, so no, I don't think its inappropriate... you're right.... using the correct tense is vital to their communication skills!

Charts can be very helpful for students as a reference point, especially when it comes to remembering the exceptions to the rules. However, in my experience kids to respond better when they are just that... a reference. The natural way to learn a language is through experiencing the direct application of the words (it's how we learned!) So maybe introducing the concept in a more dynamic manner might capture the kids attention a little better.... things like pictures, student movement, etc.

You did say you were using several activities, so pardon me if any of the following ideas aren't new!

1: Try a TPR (total physical response) activity..... Have "yesterday" "today" and "tomorrow" written on the board. You call out something like "I ran!" The kids then act out the action under the right part of the board (in this case "yesterday.")

2:I really enjoy using timelines to show verb tense. You can put a vertical line on the board with "now" marked, and draw a picture to the right of the "now" for future, left for "past," etc. You can also use a picture over "now" with wavy arrows pointing to either side to demonstrate things like the present continuous "I am swimming." You could also have the pictures on separate cards and hold them up in different places on the timeline to elicit past, present, and future from students.... it helps to be really verbally and physically animated (without going overboard,) here.

This visual representation helps students grasp the tenses in a more intuitive way.... and they get pretty tickled if your drawings are bad, which will liven things up a bit. You could have the students draw their own timelines with sample sentences to check and see if they understood the concept and to reduce teacher talking time.

3: You might also check the idea cookbook here on Dave's ESL cafe for verb tense games you can play..... there're a few good ones out there.