Snack time is a daily activity which provides an opportunity for practicing turn-taking in conversations, expressing likes and dislikes, and asking and answering simple questions.
Moving our bodies while speaking is a fun way to practice critical vocabulary. That is why I love to make up little chants to match up with broader themes.
Teaching students how to play using a purchase exchange dialogue is a great way to model everyday language to young learners. Here is how I do it in at the Post Office.
I like to schedule the play time very early in the day if my hope is that some kids will choose to play in French - this is cognitively challening work! Here is how I do it.
Recent studies show that immersion teachers feel like they have resources to support the teaching of reading and writing, but very few to support the teaching of oral language.
There are many ways to introduce the idea of looking closely. Provocations involving things from the real world together with magnifying glasses are an easy first step.
Intentional teaching is huge. Start by sharing a story orally, with the intent that the learners will be able to retell the story themselves (not read it from a book).
Social-emotional learning is important for kids as humans. I’m grateful to see a holistic approach to education which teaches to the heart, body, AND mind.
Closed questions are a very important tool for scaffolding oral language production because the language needed to answer the question is presented in the question.
Young learners can gain a sense of expertise quickly when repetition meets routine. Recent research shows discussing the daily schedule is a great way to start.