It will be important for teachers to make assessments of their students as the class progresses. For example, if students are at the older end of this age group they may not be interested in dancing or singing with a group, and a teacher may decide to skip or adjust activities should this seem to be the case.
The full length of the lesson is an hour, but the class is split into two 30 minute halves, with a short break between.
Part 1
Target language : The Alphabet. What colour is it? It's (colour).
Length : 30 minutes.
Preparation time : 30 – 50 minutes to prepare the cardboard and letter frisbees for the varitaion of "Card Slam", “Flashcard Sumo”, and flashcards.
Class size : Large Group class.
Materials :
- For this variation of "Card Slam" cut thin slits into a large piece of cardboard and write scores to mark each slit. If teachers have foam alphabet letters available, these make great frisbees to throw through the slits, but if not teachers will need to make their own alphabet frisbees from cardboard.
- For “Flashcard Sumo” : Crocodile clips to pin flashcards to the backs of students’ shirts.
- A printed set of colour flashcards of the target language.
Instructions :
- Throw a ball or balloon in a circle and have students ask and answer the question “What’s your name?” “My name is…”, then practice the alphabet.
- Split the class into teams and play a game of "Card Slam". Teachers scatter the alphabet letters across the floor and place the cardboard with slits in on one side of the room. Teachers call out letters of the alphabet and designated members from each team compete to find the letters. The first to touch the correct letter must stay in the spot where they found the letter and attempt to throw the letter through one of the slits of the cardboard. A successful throw wins points for the team. Original instructions for "Card Slam" can be accessed by left-clicking the button below.
- Students in this age group are unlikely to find much enjoyment in singing the "Colour song" of the video to the right, so rather than singing together, instead simply show the class the colour flashcards and have them find the colours around the classroom.
- Split the class into teams and play a game of “Flashcard Sumo”. Instructions can be accessed by left-clicking the button below.
Purchases of the "Colour Song" above made at the happy happy kids website - https://www.happyhappykids.com
Our "Card Slam" variation game was made from wood, so that it could be reused in future for Christmas classes
We gave our students a 5-10 minute break at this point for children to drink tea, and calm down a little after the games.
Part 2
Target language : How many? 1-10
Length : 30 minutes.
Preparation time : 5-10 minutes to prepare “Elimination Game”, and flashcards.
Class size : Large Group class.
Materials :
- For “Number Codes” : Flashcards of numbers 1-5 for each team.
- For “Elimination Game” : A selection of soft items, such as small balls, equal or one fewer than the number of participating students.
- A printed set of colour flashcards of the numbers 1-10.
Instructions :
- Throw a ball or balloon in a circle and have students practice the phrase and the numbers 1-10.
- Split the class into teams and play a game of “Number Codes” to first practice the numbers 1-5. Instructions can be accessed by left-clicking the button below.
- Split the class into teams and play a game of "Elimination Game" to practice numbers 1-10. Instructions can be accessed by left-clicking the button below.
A game of "Number Codes" being played at a community centre with a class of 10-12 year old elementary students in Japan.