Letter Writing

Every year, just before the Winter Break, Oakridge opens a Post Office and children are encouraged to write letters to their friends and teachers in the school. For my ESL students, this is the perfect time to introduce letter writing. 

Thinking about WHO you would like to write a letter TO, and WHO that letter is FROM can post a challenge to understanding for early language learners. In the small group, we talk about the parts of a letter, read books about Pen Pals, write our own letters, put them in the mail, and see what happens! 

Here are some of our letters:

Happy Holidays to everyone!

Ms. Gladman

Why Do We Sing in ESL?

In the Grade 1 ESL classes, we spend quite a lot of time singing. Why do we sing? What are the benefits to the children? Well, there are a lot of reasons…

• Singing songs really works as children hear whole sentences and absorb grammar and syntax subconsciously. It's an easy way for them to learn and remember words and phrases.

• Children hear vocabulary and phrases in a natural and meaningful context and not in isolated words or sentences.

• Songs are catchy and fun and ESL students are happy hearing them.

• Listening to English songs helps listening skills.

• When singing songs, children hear the natural rhythms and stresses of English and this helps their pronunciation and speaking fluency.

• When using music, actions may be used with any song. This can reach more students by targeting a variety of learning styles in class. Kinesthetic learners will connect to concepts using their bodies to the music while Auditory learners use their hearing strengths to do the same. Visual learners can follow along with the transcription of the song and enhance their learning too!

• Using music can bring in a boost of energy and zest for life that captures the children's attention and motivates them in their quest to learn English.

• With songs, children listen and practice English in a group, joining in when they can without being singled out. A boost in confidence can be gained from this, which percolates through to all learning.

• Learning language through a song helps with memory. Songs can 'get stuck in your head', and this is wonderful for developing language!

Below are some images of children using their Song Books to sing (and read) some familiar songs:

Until next time,
Ms. Gladman

Read to Self

All children can read. This is what I tell the children before we start "Read to Self", which is a short period of time when the children stay in one spot, stay focused, and work on their stamina for reading.
"But I can't read!, exclaims one student when I describe this process.
"Everyone can read," I pronounce.
"How?" asks the disbelieving child.
"Three ways," I continue.
"You can read the pictures."
"You can read the words."
"Or, you can retell the story to someone else."
All children can read.
See...

Thanks for visiting!
Ms. Gladman