HALLOWEEN! HALLOWEEN!

Halloween is celebrated in many English speaking countries. In our school we celebrated it in the English classes. We decorated corridors and classrooms. We watched videos to learn about traditions. We did some activities and played some games. And the 6th graders even enjoyed some themed biscuits and chocolate. Here are some pics. 

Enjoy!

  

 

Scary faces...

Ghosts...

 

 

 

Casting magic spells...

 

Flying witches...

 

We had some fun. And we did it in English!

Getting to know one another

I like to get to know my students as soon as the school year begins. Every year I plan some fun games for the first day to get them excited about learning English, but also, especially in the 5th grade, to get to know how they feel about several topics including school and especially English. 

So I label the four corners of the classroom "love", "like", "don't like", "hate" and the centre as "indifferent". As I say several things or activities students go to the corner of the classroom that corresponds to their preference. I typically say something like: "chocolate", "basketball", "dogs", "maths", "reading",... and I always say "school" and "English". 

An important added lesson is that all opinions are valid and should be respected. I have to model this by reassuring those who say they don't like or even hate English. But I got lucky, because none of my 5th graders hates English this year.

Still, my goal is to try and change their minds during the school year, from 'indefferent' to 'I like', at least. It's only September. There's plenty of time. 

Designing posters

Our fifth graders have been learning about rules and ways to express obligation in English. To apply this knowledge they have designed posters about rules for different subjects and even  some for Carnival. 

You can see some of them below.

Halloween, Halloween

Halloween, Halloween

witches, witches

can be seen...

 

 

LET'S SPEAK / LET'S WRITE BEGINS!!

October is here and the Let's Speak / Let's Write classes have begun. 

We're very happy to have Mandy with us again. She's an experienced South African teacher. She takes half the group to work on their speaking skills while the other half stays with the English teacher to work on their writing skills. In February we'll swap the groups so that everyone gets a chance to improve both. 

Students are very engaged because we plan game-like activities. Being in a small group setting allows for intensive practice and a lot of teacher attention. It is a great way to learn English!

How do you feel about...English?

I like to get to know my students as soon as the school year begins. Every year I plan some fun games for the first day to get them excited about learning English, but also, especially in the 5th grade, to get to know how they feel aboout several topics including school and especially English. 

So I label the four corners of the classroom "love", "like", "don't like", "hate" and the centre as "indifferent". As I say several things or activities students go to the corner of the classroom that corresponds to their preference. I tipycally say something like: "chocolate", "basketball", "dogs", "maths", "reading",... and I always say "school" and "English". 

An important added lesson is that all opinions are valid and should be respected. I have to model this by reassuring those who say they dont' like or even hate English. My goal is to try and change their minds during the school year. It's only September. There's plenty of time.