LET'S GO SHOPPING! by Stephane Husar and Loïc Méhée

This 4th and last (hopefully just for now) book of Cat and Mouse will be useful for teaching some names of items of clothing: hat, t-shirt, shirt, trousers, dress, sunglasses, shorts, skirt, socks and shoes.

Children get really amused by these two characters and they find their way of getting dressed hilarious… buy the the book and you'll discover why.

Based on the same dialogue structure as the previous ones, this illustrated album use the verbs 'like' and 'love', adjectives like 'cool, nice etc.' and also the structure 'Let's'.

The last page shows a little dictionary English-Spanish where you'll find the translation of every single word and expression used in the book.

Oh! And don't forget to use the CD! It has got listen and repeat activities in it!

Besides, here you can get some ideas about many classroom activities and games related to 'clothes':

CLOTHES DOMINOES

CLOTHES AND MORE: part 1

CLOTHES AND MORE: part 2

CLOTHES AND MORE: part 3

Lesson Plan: Clothes and More - Part 3

USING VOCABULARY

TIME THE CHAIN

Make a circle with your young learners. Give each kid a flashcard. They have to show it inside the circle. In a chain they will have to say "I'm wearing…" the piece of cloth shown on the card they have. 

Time the entire process and tell them with emphasis how many seconds it took and then something like: "Let's see if we can go faster!" 

Every child has to pass clockwise his card to the next one and repeat the chain. Again time the process and tell them the seconds it lasted (of course, less than the previous time).

Three chains will be enough. Then they'll loose interest and concentration. Celebrate the last performance and step into another activity.

WHAT ARE YOU WEARING?

This game is based on children's natural desire to possess the more cards as possible.

Place all the flashcards on the floor, call out the pupils one by one. They have to choose a card, but to get it they must  say "I'm wearing…" the garments present on the card. 

More games
Clothes Part 1  and Clothes Part 2 
WEAR or CARRY?
Wear or Carry - Tiles

Lesson Plan: Clothes and More - Part 2

 FIXING VOCABULARY

-YES / NO game

Arrange your class in two lines, that will start behind a line drawn with chalk on the floor. Calculate approximately 1,5 / 2 meters from that line and write the words YES  AND NO on the floor, near you.

Start showing a flashcard of shoes (for example) and say: " This is a pair of SHOES  / I'm wearing SHOES" . The first two kids of the lines will have to run toward the word YES. The first who arrives on the YES gains 1 point for his team.

Then show another card with a skirt (for example) and say: "This is a SWEATER! / I'm wearing a SWEATER" . The first who arrives on the word NO will get the point. 

Make the most of it asking what it is really shown on the flashcard and give him a second point!

P.S. Initially you'll notice that someone might get confused about what to do. They will jump on YES if they are really wearing the indicated garment, explain the rules again and keep playing, they'll soon correct the performance.

O O O O O O O  I         YES

 

O O O O O O O  I          NO

More Games:
Clothes - part 1  and Clothes - part 3 

WEAR or CARRY?
Wear or Carry - Tiles

Lesson Plan: Clothes and more - Part 1

In my experience children are usually more interested in food than in clothes. 

To teach them  how to say what they are wearing is the 'mission impossible' of pre-school teachers.

That is why I'm going to tell you some games related to it that will make it easier.

1 - Let's start with VOCABULARY INTRODUCTION games.

- THE TREASURE CHEST, part 1:

If you have a basket, a chest or a simple box in your classroom don't be afraid to fill it up with all kinds of clothes. Ask your students' parents to bring old garments and costumes left at the bottom of their children's closets. Then take your time and let pupils go digging in the box to choose their favorite outfit. 

In this first phase you will only ask them, after they have got dressed up: " What are you wearing?". Certainly they aren't going to know, so you will tell them and make them repeat the words you have said.

- JUMP!

I have a little step in my classroom next to the wall and I used it to facilitate the learning process. I made my students line up on the step, in front of me. Then I showed them clothes on flashcards, one by one, saying: "I'm wearing trousers!" If they really were wearing trousers they had to jump down off the step. 

They loved it!!!

After a couple of times you can say only the first part of the sentence: "I'm wearing…" and let them finish the sentence with the name of the picture shown, while jumping. 

Great results achieved!!!

P.S. If you don't have a step in your classroom they can jump anyway, for example inside or outside a circle drawn on the floor.

- THE TREASURE CHEST, part 2:

During this second time, after the jump game, you will lead the dress up game asking them what they want to wear. It will be a good way to activate their memory and have them making an effort.

More Games:
Clothes part 2 and Clothes part 3 

WEAR or CARRY?
Wear or Carry - Tiles