TASK 2: Getting ready for storytelling. I have a group of 12 kids ranging from 7 to 8 years old. They are already familiarized with the characters of the book (Tina the tortoise, monkey, own, duck and rabbit). The leading character is Tina the tortoise. This is a pre-teaching activity and I bring realia objects to the classroom like: football, a coat, socks, a cap and a mug. I ask kids where Tina is: where is Tina? ( I act like I'm looking for her..) Oh look! Tina is in her shell! Tina come out and play! ( sound of a negative answer) Help me kids! Repeat: Tina come out and play! ( sound of a negative answer again). Let's try again but louder! Tina, come out and play! Tina answers: No, no! It's cold outside! I say: Tina let's swim! ( I make the gesture) Tina answers: no, no! It' cold outside! I let children have ideas showing the objects inside the box! Let's play football! Children keep trying to convince her (Put on a coat! Put on a cap! Put on your socks!). A...
I can definitely relate to this. I have had so many experiences where I have exciting tasks and my students do not respond. I would suggest that you try a different relaxation technique since not all activities fit each group the same way. In my case, every time I play relaxing piano music my students tell me my music is suuuuuuper boring and that they want to fall asleep.
ReplyDeleteThanks Carolina Brenes Burgos :)
ReplyDeleteHello, Maria. I know how you feel. I tried rain too and some of my students laugh, but laughing is good so we mustn't care! I think next time they will understand better why you do it. We have to BELIEVE!
ReplyDeleteMaria,
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to hear that the rain activity did not work with your students. I usually tell them that we are going to have a relaxing activity and I ask them to tell me later if it has worked. My setting is the private language school with small groups, which makes the experience very different.
One suggestion is asking first if they know any relaxing activities before presenting our suggestions.
The snowman I tend to do with children up to five years old. I do rain with children until ten.
Here you have a post I wrote with many other relaxing activities for young learners: http://childrenlearningenglishaffectively.blogspot.com.br/2012/09/relaxing-activities-for-young-learners.html
Let me know how some of these other ones go.