Yolanda U. Trapp
Subject: Language Arts, Science (or Social Studies)
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Grade: Kindergarten
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ESL method
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Time: 45 minutes everyday. Total 1 week
Title of the Book: “The Snowman” by Raymond Briggs
Goal: to teach an abstract concept using a story without words, while enhancing student’s oral and written skills in English.
Concept: “Surviving”
Objectives.
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The student will be able to describe the story in her/his native language.
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Express his/her own thoughts and ideas about the story.
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Understand the concept of “Surviving”
Procedure:
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The teacher will “read” the entire story aloud (with her own interpretation in the native language and English, maintaining eye contact with the students, pointing to the pictures to help students understand the meaning of the story, confirming any predictions they may have made.
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The teacher “reads” the story a second time, asking students to listen as they follow her hand with their eyes. The teacher may use pantomine, hand gestures, and facial expressions. Explaining a third time the pictures, will allow students to feel confident and willing to participate. She may encourage the children to talk about their own experiences in relation to the topic to be covered.
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The teacher may ask questions about the story and, using the pictures in the story to prompt responses, could ask students to retell the story in their own words, praising them and taking advantage by introducing easy words in English, related to the topic. She may use the storybook to reinforce comprehension, vocabulary, or other skills and strategies.
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Just as students have individual learning styles, many have preferred speaking styles, the teacher may keep track of who does best, who lights up for drama, who leans toward discussions, and oral reports.
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The teacher may introduce the abstract concept of “Survival” in connection to the Snowman story. She may use the book to explain that everything goes to an end but also everything is able to “Survive” in our memories.
Classroom Close-Up
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Finally as an extended activity that all students can share, students can watch the video-tape “the Snowman”, using this activity as assessment for the Objectives.
Materials:
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Book “The Snowman”, by Raymond Briggs. Video-Tape: “The Snowman” based on Raymond Briggs’s Book. An Academy Award Nominee. (1982) New Edition 1999.
