K Level Classes

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Here is the first in a series of us describing the different level classes we have in the evenings & on the weekend at our English Training school. On Tuesday and Friday evenings from 6-8 PM, I teach K level classes to 4 to 6 year olds at Dotkids. I have two classes of about 12 students that meet for 1 hour twice a week. During these classes, we use the Super Teddy curriculum as well as other supplementary materials and activities. Super Teddy focuses on 6-8 new nouns within a theme, along with 2 songs, a story and some phrases within that theme. We spend 1 week on each of these units. For example, Super Teddy Book 5, Unit 5 reviews the old words (table, chair, door, wall & window) and introduces new words (TV, air conditioner, refrigerator, telephone & sofa). We usually start with a song, do some "free talk," play some games, read & recite a story, then end with another song. Once a week, we do some phonics work on identifying letters and their sounds. During the break time, students go to the bathroom, drink water and have the choice to either color/draw or play with blocks together.

It is really amazing how different my 2 classes are! The first class is a little bit younger and their energy is really different. They hardly initiate anything - most things they say have to be said by me or a boy named Prime & girl named Linda in the class first and then repeated by the rest. Prime & Linda are real characters who really think about English and come up with their own ideas. For example, when waiting for class to start, Prime will say "Where is Linda?" if she is not there yet. Otherwise, the rest of the class is sooo quiet. When I ask "Who wants to play a game? very few will raise their hands and some will even refuse when called on.

In contrast, the other class is quite precocious. They all raise their hands and want to try and learn everything. They sing and dance with all the songs. We have played shopping quite a lot and they are able to say "Hello, what do you want?" "I want 2 …." "Okay, here you are." "Thanks, How much?" "12 dollars." Some of them can even bargain with each other over the price. One guy Mark is a fantastic speller and will say things like "Shannon is b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l!"

Teaching the K level classes is interesting politically in relation to the rest of the school. Like I said, Super Teddy is the main curriculum though I have been told by a few administrators that it is not a good curriculum and we should do things differently. Well, what does that mean? Each teacher should just do what they want? But then the school won't have a consistent understanding and standards for its beginning students. Also, what does that then mean for the other levels? We have a basic scope and sequence that talks about students learning letter identification and sounds at the K level. But then some teachers and administrators are pushing blending, reading and spelling at the K level. Then I guess the G1 teachers (next level) will have to move their phonics work up a notch as well. All that is fine if the students are given time to integrate information and the parents, teachers and administrators are all in communication. Unfortunately, like most schools, this is not the case. So parents, children, teachers and administrators are left frustrated and confused.

My K level classes will be moving onto G1 at the end of May and I will not go with them since I already have an overload of classes. I will truly miss those fantastic children, but will not miss the drama created by the adults!

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Photos

Linda
In her special Christmas dress.

Prime
His name WAS Thomas but he changed it to Prime based on Optimus Prime.

Rain
Making Christmas cards.

Jeep
Loves to act out the stories.

Mike
Super dancer and funny guy

Alisa
Started crying last week when she asked me something in Chinese and I couldn't answer.

Mark
Amazing speller and kung fu artist