Teacher Discussion Forums

I have never taught before and I have a class of 26 third graders an hour a day. They know some vocabulary, and some of them know a few verbs. I am mostly using flash cards to teach vocabulary, and begining phonics. I'm not sure what to do with them besides that, games and worksheets, but discipline is getting out of hand, so I need to cut games for a while. Does anybody have suggestions for class activities and ways to teach verbs and concepts?

Try adding more structure to the vocabulary they know. That might spark their interest if they can put some stuff together. Look for vocab sets that you can use in some sort of target language (fruit - I like.../ insects- I don't like...) I generally run this pattern for verbs

like
pres. continuous
can
want to
like to
Did you
simple past
simple present

Games are varied and worksheets/ writing follow-up depend on your curriculum or books.

I use a flash cards only approach and follow up much later with writing once they have it down pat.

You can make some sheets to have them fill in like or don't like (can/can't etc.)

I ________ ice cream.
I ________ eggplant.
I...

I know this is my own post, but I'm going to have to say..."Yawn!" to that.

I would stick to the games and try to channel the energy even if it goes off from your intentions, work with them. I find kids learn more and retain more if they are active and having fun. They are not interested in learning for learning's sake.

I hope that was somewhat helpful.

Mark
www.mes-english.com

There are lots of further suggestions if you go through the Elementary and the Activities forums. Even go on to the second pages. I remember some long discussions of activities for early elementary and some really good advice!

The best thing you can do as a beginning teacher is read, read and then do some more reading, followed by practice of the reading.