November 20 meeting

It was just the two of us last time!! Everyone is so busy these days.

Megumi and I talked about teaching weather concepts and vocabulary. We reviewed a really good song that you can use with children to sing about the weather. It's introduced in a newsletter I found online. Click HERE to view it in .pdf form online.

I can give you more materials to use for teaching weather concepts when we meet on December 4! I hope to see everyone there.

Christie

Our November 6th meeting

In this meeting we talked about building up language from one lesson to the next. We discussed the importance of reviewing vocabulary and language so that students don't forget what they learned in earlier classes.

We practiced an activity that helps students review "How are you?" and possible negative answers such as "I'm hungry", "I'm sad", etc. The activity then encourages children to continue the conversation by offering a solution to the bad feeling.

Target language:

A/ How are you?
B/ I'm ___________________ (adjective)
A/ Oh!  Here's a _____________
     Oh!  I love you!
     Oh! Relax!

The Class Game

1. Put the kids into teams (rows of desks / boys vs. girls / whatever!)
2. Put the "How are you?" answers in a box or bag.
3. Put the "solutions" in another bag or box.
4. While you play some music, the kids pass around the two bags or boxes. They have to pass it to the person next to them (not just to people on their own team).
5. When you stop the music, everyone shouts out, "How are you?"
6. The kid with the answer bag or box picks one out (without looking!) and says it in a big voice.
7. The kid with the solution bag or box picks one out (without looking!) and gives a reply.
8. If the solution matches the answer, both kids get a point for their team.
9. Start again from 4.

-----------------------------------

After this activity was introduced, we brainstormed other ways to use the cards to practice this language.

Idea 1
Divide class into big groups (8-10 students each). They play this game together within their own group. Groups that get a match get a point.

Idea 2
Question/Answer "Karuta"
1. Children ask, "How are you?"
2. Teacher draws a card and says "I'm ______"
3. Children in small groups (3-4) smack a solution card and yell the answer.

Idea 3
Like idea 2, but the children play amongst themselves, with one child becoming the "teacher"

Idea 4
Find a match (can use in a big class)
1. Divide class in 1/2 -- One 1/2 is A, one 1/2 is B.
2. As get 1 "feelings" card each and Bs get 1 "solution" card each.
3. Students move around the room and ask each other:

B/ Hi! How are you?
A/ I'm __________.
NO MATCH:  B/  That's too bad.
MATCH:         B/  Oh! Here's a _________. / ________!
                         A/  Thank you!
Then both students sit down.

\ The 2nd and 3rd meetings /

The 2nd and 3rd meetings**

We discussed how to teach vocabulary with the Body Parts song in the 2nd meeting.  And then we played the "Draw a Monster" game.  Children can gain more their vocabulary with enjoyment.

And we played the "How are you?" game.  And then we gave our opinion, and we also made arranged game. With this game, children can learn simple conversational expression.  We must teach target language again and again.  Even if we teach target language to children once, they can't learn that then.  So, I recommend we play this game at the beginning of the class as introduction.  In the use of the game in every classes, Children will become able to use this game phrase.  Target language in this game is as follows.

A/ How are you?
B/ I'm ---------.(adjective)
A/ Oh!  Here's a --------.
                I love you!
                Relax!
B/ Thank you!

PS. The first pic is took in the 2nd meeting, and the second pic is took in the 3rd meeting! ;D 

From Megumi

\ New members /

Impression**

Hi. My name is Sachie Katsuda. From fall semester, I join Child English Study. Nice to meet you. I don't speak English well, but I like English and I love children. My dream isn't teacher, bud I want to try to activity attend in this group, and I come in contact with members. I also can speak English. I wii do my best. I'm bubbling with expectation now.

From Sachie


Hello！My name is Risa.
Recentry, I joined Child English Study. My dream isn't a teacher, but I participated because I liked English with a child.　And I can speak English more!!!! I'll do my best.
It is how to teach for child from Christie.
I'm going to learn a lot.

From Risa

The plan for this term

Hi everybody! It was great to see you at our last meeting, where we talked about teaching new concepts along with reviewing language that we already introduced. We discussed how to teach vocabulary with the Body Parts song. Click HERE to see a YouTube video of some teachers learning the song.

And then we played the "Draw a Monster" game. (Please review the print that I gave you at our meeting.

We also discussed a general plan for the group for the rest of this term:

• We'll meet next month on November 6 and 20.
• In December, the members will split into groups. Each group will begin to plan a lesson.
• In January, the groups will present their lessons to each other.
• In February, we'll try to find a hoikuen or youchien where the groups can practice teaching their lessons to REAL CHILDREN!!!

\ The 1st meeting /

The 1st meeting**

New school term started, so we began to work as Child English Study Group again!!!

We had 1st meeting in new term on October 9, and I will report that our working.  But before I do that, I must talk about soooooooo big news with our group!  The news is......what 2 NEW MEMBERS JOIN our group! <333  And they also took part in the meeting!  That made me so happy!! :D  I hope our group have members more and more!

This meeting is first meeting in this term, so we started to have orientation for new members.  And we talk about our working from now on too.  Our final goal is teaching English with enjoyment in actual kindergarten or nursery school!  We have much things that we should do in order to put in it into practice.

One of these things is learning SKILLS to teach English with enjoyment.  When we teach English with only desk working, children will feel it boring.  And the way may make their desire to study English lose.  So Ms.Christie says, "We should have more ACTIVITIES, SONGS, GAMES at teaching English.  It is good for children to teach English with enjoyment."

So we worked "CARD GAME" in this meeting.  This cards are written vegetable words and painted pictures.  How to play the game is below.  

1. One student (This person has task as TEACHER.) choose one word.

2. Other students ask TEACHER person what card he/she choose.  For example, "Do you like apples?"
3. The person answer the question. "Yes, I do." or "No, I don't."
4. Other students find the card, If the person answer "Yes, I do."

The game and karuta that is Japanese game are similar.  This game is exciting and effective to learn English skills.  Children must listen to words carefully and converse with person.  This activities develop their LISTENING and SPEAKING skills in English.  And We must carefully pay attention to PRONUNCIATION.  For example, we must listen whether children pronounce correctly 'APPLE' or 'APPLES,' and whether they can converse.  If a person says "Do you like apples?", answer must says "Yes, I do." or "No, I don't."  If the answer says "I like apples." or "I don't like apples", we revise the mistake.  And we let the answer pronounce correctly.  

\ My impression /

Through the 6th meeting...**

In today meeting, I learned "SIMPLE is great important!"

I prepared a game for today meeting's presentation.  When I prepare the game, I guessed it is good for children to show all things name's spellings. So I wrote them on origamis and pictures.  However, I found it not to be written spellings on video which Ms. Christie introduced to us today.  And then, I told that to meeting member and Ms.Christie.  Ms. Christie recieve my opinion, and she says "SIMPLE is great important!  If children watch illustration and spelling on picture, they may confuse   .  They will panick which illustration and spelling are more important."  I heard what she said, and I thought that is certainly true.  I tend to have a lot of imformation into my activities, but I found it difficult to understand more for children.

Moreover, I was glad to gain good advices against my game in today meeting!  It is useful for me to improve my activities and skills.  Thanks a lot! :D

I'm looking forward to next meeting now on!haha

From Megumi

New activities!

A lot of people were busy today so our group was small, but we enjoyed learning a new activity.

Megumi introduced her activity that teaches colors and nouns. Click HERE to see her lesson plan!

I also introduced a great song to teach basic language such as

• Do you like ____?
• I like _____.
• I don't like ____.
• Yucky!

--------------------------------------------

At the beginning of our meeting I was telling Megumi about a really interesting volunteer activity I was involved with last week. She thought that other group members might be interested in it. Please click HERE to find out more about the APCC (Asian Pacific Children's Convention). They also have a Facebook page. Search for this group: Asian-Pacific Children's Convention

A reminder -- bring an activity idea today!!

Hi everybody! I was just looking at the last blog post I made -- I think I asked you all to prepare and present a game or activity to the group today, but I see that I didn't make a note of it on the blog... Did everyone remember about that?! I hope you can share some new ideas with us!!

See you at lunch time -
Christie

\ My impression /

Through 4th meeting...**

We learned a English game to teach children. We want to teach English to elementary school students. In the time, I played the game with KGU child English study members and Ms. christie. I had a nice time. In the present day, they have to study English to work in the future. I think that studying English is important and interesting!! So we must study English and learning about children. Sometimes we want to teach English to many children.

From Ai

\ My impression /

Through 3rd meeting...**

I thought three things that I joined KGU child English group,
:First not only children is fun but also teacher is fun. I surprised I respected child's teacher more,because I also am anxious to teach like that. I thought I have to talk with many people to recover shy boy;Second I've gotto study English hard,because
In my case I run short of vocabulary, communication speaking.....I always feel like so,for that reason I thought I want to concentrate more in my class,but it's simplest thing..... ;Lastly I thought I have time to spend with children. Someday I want to teach children, so more I have time to spend them I am to my advantage.

From Shinnosuke

\ The 3rd, 4th and 5th meetings /

 The 3rd, 4th and 5th meetings**

Through the 3rd, 4th and 5th meetings, we learned what is important to teach for children.

First of all, we must introduce the verbs to children.  Children doesn't have enough  English vocabulary.  So we must show some English words in first!  And then we have to have verb-related activities.  "TEACHING and TESTING and ACTIVITY" is great important, so we must keep this cycle in our mind.  With this cycle, children touch various English words many times, so they can expand their vocabulary.
In addition, we must not forget "SIMPLE and OVER ACTIONS with KEEPING TENSION!"  That seems simple, but it's surprisingly difficult...  We are adult, so we can't forget to have shyness in public. If we can't do that, we can't show "SIMPLE and OVER ACTIONS with KEEPING TENSION!" in front of children much more.  But children are tired when they repeat the same and negative actions.  They love moving so much!  So we must introduce different style in activities, and work that with ENJOYMENT. If we teachers work activity with enjoyment, children can enjoy do that!  So we must not forget to keep ENJOYMENT in our mind!
In last, I introduce some useful verb-related activities!

*Gesture Game
After introducing the verbs to the students, cut up the cards and out them in a box.  have  one student come to the front of class and take a card.  The student then should act out the verb using gesture.  the students sitting down then must say what verb the student is mimicking.

*Timed Race
 All the cards are out in a pile on the floor.  The students must go and pick up a card, go to the teacher and say the target expression(e.g. I can dance).  If the student picked up by the students and passed on to the teacher, the teacher stops the timer.  The time is announced.  Students then try again to beat their time. 

Information about our activities on June 30

Today we talked about several things. First, we discussed possible search terms for finding lesson materials online. We talked about changing the Google language settings to English to search for more resources in English. We also shared ideas for search terms. For example, if you want to teach young children various verbs, you can search for

esl children verb
esl children verb song
esl children verb game

Or, if you want to search for a different age group, add a search term:

esl elementary children verb
esl elementary children verb song
esl elementary children verb worksheet


Then we looked at some ideas for teaching vocabulary for colors to young children. We looked at a video that introduces a song by Super Simple Learning: I See Something Blue...

Then we watched a video of a teacher using the song with young children:

It's a good, basic song that you can use to keep children active while they are learning the target language. Super Simple Learning also has another song in the same form that teaches more colors. Click to see the page about I See Something Pink

The concepts in these songs can be practiced in games outlined on this web page.

(The following information has been copied from the web page)

Color Game: This is a good one for teaching the names of colors to young children. Arrange various colors of construction paper in a circle. Play some music and have the children march around the circle. Stop the music and all the children must sit down next to a color. Pick a color and sing (to the tune of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"): 

Who's beside the color (insert name of color)? 

Please stand up, if it's you. 

At that point, the child next to the color mentioned stands up. Continue until all of the children get a turn.

Color Circles: A good activity for young kids.  Get some pieces of A3 paper and draw a large circle on each one.  Pin the circles on different walls in the classroom.  Model the activity: Say "Blue", take a blue crayon, walk over to one circle and color a small part of the circle.  Do this for each color you plan to teach.  Then, say a color ("Blue") to a S and s/he should pick up the blue crayon and go over to the circle you colored in blue.  Let him/her color it a little and then call him/her back.  Continue with other Ss.

Finally, for older children -- elementary school age, perhaps -- you can see a useful lesson plan on this web page. The writer does not include a sample handout / worksheet, so I made one that you can use and modify as you like. Click HERE to download the handout. You can change the handout to match the colors and shapes you wish to teach.

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Next Meetings

We decided that our next meeting will be July 14, and the last meeting before summer vacation will be July 28.

Links to activities from our meeting on June 16

It was great to see everyone today! We got into some ACTIONS and learned some games for teaching action verbs to children.

First I gave everyone a print that includes some useful verb cards. Click HERE to go to the website where that came from. As we discussed, pictures are a great way to communicate with children, especially those who cannot read yet.

We discussed 4 different activities to do with these cards #1, 2 and 3 are explained on the site with the verb cards):

1. The gesture game
2. Simon Says (the "Please" game that we talked about in our first meeting)
3. The timed race game
4. A song that uses several of the verbs found on the cards

You can see a video of the song on YouTube:

And, as it says below the video, you can get a free download of the song by clicking HERE to go to the Dream English Kids website.

See you next time -- June 30!

Links to activities introduced on June 2

Today we talked about activities that you enjoyed when you were first learning English. We talked about pop music songs... here is the CLEAN version of the song my daughter's teacher introduced in her English class:

We looked again at the Genki English website and heard a song for kids to use to learn the expressions "What's your name?" and "My name is ____". Click HERE to visit the Genki English page where you can hear a demo of the song and read the words.

We also watched a teacher in Argentina practice the expressions in the song using a play microphone, then do the song with the kids, including actions. Here is the video:

Finally, we watched a Genki English training video that introduces the stopwatch game, which can be used with these expressions or any others:

Next activity

I'm sorry for late information. As you know, we will have meetings on Mondays in the first and third week, and tomorrow is Monday in the first week! We have no homework, so see you then everyone!

Through the second meeting...

Hello everyone, my name is Yukie. I'm a third grade student, and it was nice to see you on May 19. We hold our second meeting on the day. Through this meeting, I learned a lot of things, for example,  how to teach useful phrases by using songs or games. I also learned that to repeat the phrases is so important. Children love to have fun! It is the same as us, isn't it?

The second meeting on May, 19

The second meeting was held on May 19, 2014.
Thanks for coming,everyone! Our leader Megumi was sick in bed though.

In this time, Ms. Provenzano taught us two songs and a game! Click here, and the people who couldn't join us the day can understand the lesson.

Links to materials we discussed on May 19

Hello everyone -

It was nice to see you at our meeting on May 19. We talked about songs that you can use to help children have fun with English. One of the songs came from the Super Simple Learning group -- this video shows various ways you can play with children while singing the song:

Another song with similar expressions comes from Genki English . First, we watched a video of their greeting song (click HERE to go to a page with the video)  and then learned a fun game to play using the expressions from the song. It's the Monster Game:

As you can see, there are a lot of great resources available on the Internet that you can use to teach English.

\ Next activity /

Next activity on May 19th**

We learned importance of "WORD" and "ACTION" on the 1st meeting.  Then we adopt these skills, and we play a quick English game "'please' game."  So a quick English game is a good way of teaching English for children.  However, there is some other ways.  One of other ways is "SONG."  Ms. Provenzano says 'simple song is good for teaching English for children.'  For example, 'Twinkle star' is simple for us, but it is difficult for children.  So songs have 'Greeting' and 'simple phrase' are useful for children. This is sample.  Please access on this URL.
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9Q7Y3t4m3g

This is way we will learn "SONG" on next meeting!  Next meeting is on May 19th!!

In addition, we have to do homework by next meeting.  That is remembering our experiences we enjoyed classes and ways in English!  And we must show these classes and ways each other!

I'm looking forward to next meeting! ; )


今回の集まりで、まず単語を教えること、そして動作を一緒に取り入れることの重要性を学びました。しかし、子供たちに楽しく英語を教える手段は他にもたくさんあります！その一つが「歌」です。「歌う」ということだけで子供たちは喜ぶそうです。さらにそこにActionも加えられれば本当に子供たちは楽しみながら活動するそうです。ということで、次のミーティングでは色んな英語のこども歌について学んでいこうと思います！！
そこで！みなさんにプロヴェンザーノ先生から早速宿題があります！(笑)
今まで自分が受けて楽しかったな～と思った英語の授業や楽しかった英語の学び方を小さいころの思い出の中から探してきてください。そしてそれを次のミーティングで1人ずつ発表してもらおうと思います！もちろんいっぱいある人はいっぱい言ってもらって大丈夫です。(笑)

というわけで！次のミーティングは５月１９日の１２時２０分から１１３Bでやります！みなさんにお会いできるのを楽しみにしてます！！

\ My impression /

After joining 1st meeting...**

Hi!  My name is Megumi!  I'm a leader of CESG! :D  We hold our meeting on May 12th in the first time.  Of course, I felt awkward during the meeting, but I enjoyed the meeting!  We talked about our goals and played a quick English game together...  I had valuable time!  We are still unskilled as teacher English.  However, I hope try to learn teaching English with this group members!

初投稿です!児童英語研究会のリーダーをやっています西村惠です。

この前の集まりが児童英語研究会の初ミーティングでした！あいにくの雨という悪天候で予定していた人数は集まりませんでしたが・・・(;O;)

ぎこちない雰囲気はもちろんありましたが、(笑)

楽しい集まりだったんじゃないでしょうか！！(*^^*)

今日プロヴェンザーノ先生から教わったなるほどな、と思ったことを書こうと思います。
日本の幼稚園で英語を教えていた先生の旦那さんがある幼稚園に行った時、幼稚園の先生が教室に入るなりその先生は子供たちに「前を向きなさい」「手は膝の上に置きなさい」「これはダメ」「あれはしてはいけない」・・・と言ったそうです。日本の教育現場ではよくある光景だと思います。しかし、そうすることで、子供たちは言うことは聞くようになるかもしれないがどんどん受け身な態度になっていく。そうすると授業が楽しくなくなる、学校に行きたくなくなる、と悪循環に陥る。その様子をみた先生の旦那さんは同じ教室の子たちの授業の時、教室に入るなり足を大きく広げて、キョロキョロしながら・・・他にもお世辞にも子供たちの良いお手本とは言えないような状態で子供たちの前に座ったそうです。すると、子供たちは一斉に「手はお膝！」「口は閉じる！」等口々に叫びだしたそうです。
大人たちがこれはダメ、あれもダメ、と言わなくても子供たちは日々の生活で子供たちなりに「社会のルール」を少しずつ少しずつ学んでいっているのです。ちょっとしたことですが、見方ひとつ、やり方ひとつで子供たちの興味ややる気を引き出すことが出来るんだな～・・・ということを学びました！

長くなりましたが！！(笑)
リーダーの私自身このグループがこれからどんな風になっていくのか未知の世界ですが・・・(笑)

何にも決まってない分、みんなでアイデア出し合って、みんなで作り上げていくことが出来ると思います。なので、これからどんな風になっていくのかリーダーである私もドキドキわくわくです！！！(^O^)★

これからもメンバーのみんなと一緒に楽しく学んでいければな、と思います！

\ The CESG 1st meeting! /

The 1st meeting on May 12th! **

We had the first meeting for Child English Study Group on May 12th!

All of first, we introduced ourselves each other, and we talked about our goals,  why we try to take part in this activity and what we hope to accomplish with the group.

Then we learned how to teach English for children from Ms. Provenzano.  We knew two importances for doing that.  One importance is "WORD."  Children don't know many English words.  So we have to tell them English words when we teach them English in the first time.  After we show them English words, we let them speak English words.  This step is valuable for teaching English for children.  Another importance is "ACTION."  When children only just listen and take class, they lose interest for class right away.  So we should adopt "ACTION" in class.  For example, when we teach the word of 'Jump', we actually do jumping.  With "ACTION," we can play a quick English game with children!  To apply to practice, we play "'please' game."  This game steps are so simple! The steps are bellow.

1. A teacher say '～～～～, please?'

2. Children do the action.

The steps are very simple, but children can enjoy the game.  Children love moving!  Moreover,  this game has merits.  The merits is being able to learn daily conversation and polite way of saying.  The phrase of '～～～～, please' is generally used by many people and known as polite phrase.  So when children play this game, they can gain ordinary conversation and speaking manner skills with enjoyment.
In conclusion, importances for teaching English for children are "WORD" and "ACTION!"  We must learn how to teach English foe children with paying attention to these things!

That's all for 1st meeting!