Discussion task #2:

Discussion task #2:

Encouraging a young, preschool student to write requires extra effort to ensure that it is a meaningful activity. It’s quite important that it be designed so that a student can attempt to write, without any negative feelings, especially because he or she is just learning to write. This is often even more difficult when the child is learning English as a second language.

To get a very young ELT student off to a good start, I give the student time to share about something that is important to him/her, through a Show and Tell opportunity. The student brings one item to share with the class, or with me in a tutoring session. After he/she shares, I ask (or have the class ask) a few questions about the item.

Then after sharing orally, I ask the student to write a few words to describe their item, in a one-on-one session. I help the student remember the words used in sharing, as needed. Next I have the student put those word/words into one or two sentences that describe the item, helping them write as needed. Finally, I have the student copy the sentences, if they are able to do so.

Note: For those students who cannot write yet, we build sentences using blocks or cards that have words on them and picture cards. I then write their sentences onto a piece of paper for them.

To further enhance this activity, I have the student can draw a picture of the item that was shared on the piece of paper with the sentences. Now he/she has a personalized page that helps him/her see the connection between what he/she said about the special item and the way it is written in words. He/She can then take this paper home to share with his family.

Comments

  1. Renata TodorovskaMay 7, 2016 at 1:02 AM

    I agree, writing should foster positiv vibes, not be a frustrating experience.
    I use ropes, chalks, pipes, flour, spaghetti.... everything they can make letters with, just to make writing in the initial stage funnier and enjoyable.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Carolina Brenes BurgosMay 9, 2016 at 9:53 AM

    Very nice activities!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Juan UribeMay 9, 2016 at 1:20 PM

    Hi Karen!

    Lovely way to make writing meaningful and accessible to all learners. I really liked that you have first explored a very meaningful experience and then moved on to the writing part. Playing with the drawings, blocks, and words makes it very natural for the children. Loved the part of taking the paper home to share it with their family!

    Thank you for sharing!

    Juan

    ReplyDelete

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