THE ADVENTURES of HUCKLEBERRY FINN by Mark Twain

Sterling has published this collection of classic novels abridged for young readers. The intention is to give them a sense of independence and the satisfaction of finishing a "grown-up" book. I bought the version which has two audio CDs included.

I think it's an interesting project. It helps to improve both reading and listening skills.

Listening and trying to understand a different language it's the first step in a new language world.

After that the student will have got enough self confidence to start speaking it.

Learning languages is magic!

Action Comecoco!!!

'Paper origami fortune teller'
Teach your students and play one of their favorite games
at the same time!

The Beatles

The Beatles

Beatles songs are very useful to teach English.
They are easy to listen to, to remember, and to dance too!!!
Kids will enjoy the entire learning process.

I brought the lyrics to my class, one photocopy for each student, and the CD with the song. The first 3 times I explained the song and I sang with them. Then I let them mix freely in the classroom with the text...
It was really fun, they started marching to the sound of "we all live in a yellow submarine..." and ended with a conga line.
After 2 months I heard someone of them singing it.

You can propose a second activity to go into the lyric in depth.
Take a Beatles song, divide it in verses and write them with a pencil
on different sheets, possibly one for each student, underlining words they could represent with drawings.
Then pass out the papers and:
1st let them go over the words again with a coloured marker
2nd hand out pieces of coloured papers where they will draw the underlined items.

you can find a specific CD entitled ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE - BEATLES SONGS FOR KIDS
(produced by Music For Little People - www.mflp.com) if you want to save time on searching for the most appropriate songs.
I bought it on eBay for 10 euros more or less.

Rules

I found some nice songs to introduce rules to your class:

I am in school to learn.

I will follow the directions of my teachers.
I will not say unkind things to others.

I will report problems to the teachers.
I will try my very best.
I am in school to learn.

We raise our hands to speak.
We work quietly at our seats.
We use voices soft and sweet.

We keeps our places tidy and neat.

We are helpful, friendly, and fair.

We take turns and willingly share.

I make mistakes so I can learn.
I learn so I can succeed.

I succeed so I can help others.

I pledge to show my respect
by listening to others,
using my hands for helping,
caring about others feelings,
and being responsible for what I say and do.

My Promise
Each day I'll do my best,
And I won't do any less.
My work will always please me,
And I won't accept a mess.
I'll colour very carefully,
My writing will be neat.
And I simply won't be happy
'Til my papers are complete.
I'll always do my homework,
And I'll try on evey test.
And I won't forget my promise --
To do my very best!A Circle of Friends
We've joined together as classmates
as the new year begins...

A year full of learning
while we become friends.

We'll share and be kind
as we work and play.

And our friendship will grow
with each passing day.

I am wonderful.
I am good at learning.

And I like to learn.

Class Promise
Today is a new day!
I will act in a safe and healthy way.

I will respect the rights of others.
I will treat all property with respect.
I will take responsibility for my learning.

Today I will be the best me I can be!

My School Pledge
I pledge today to do my best
in reading math and all the rest.
I promise to obey the rules,
in my class and in our school.
I'll respect myself and others too,
I'll expect the best in all I do,
I am hear to learn all I can,
To try my best and be all I am.

Important Rules
(to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle")
Here are some rules for you and me,
See how important they can be.

Always be honest, be kind and fair,

Always be good and willing to share.

These are rules we all should know,

We follow these rules wherever we go.

Personally I chose 5 simple sentences, so they could easily understand them.

I made a booklet of 5 sheets, one rule for each paper and then I introduced it to them saying it was a contract. We all signed it on the cover.

When they start behaving bad I take the booklet out. 

They usually recognized it and turn quiet, if not the bad kids loose points.

Kids with the lower score have to prepare the snack for the class and bring it the last day of the current month.


Think about our class as a little society: the one who misbehaves is really negatively influencing the development of it. Therefore he will have to do something positive for the whole little community.


A video:
CHILDREN SEE, CHILDREN DO

Prototyping©

Magnetic Moments!!!©

Here we are!!!
Another trick to get your students involved in learning English.
You can do it by yourself, buying:
"stacks" (little squared magnets) at the newsagent's and white sticker paper, so you'll be able to draw, colour and write on it.

Game example:
These Magnetic Cards could be used for many different classic games: Dominoes, Bingo, Memory, or, simpler, throwing the matching pair at the magnetic board from a certain distance (my students, currently do it with their "staks" of Star Wars).

It’s a MODULAR GAME, rechargeable like ‘Trivial Pursuit’, for example.
You ‘buy’ the first box with the base and one or two subjects,
then when you need another one because you’re explaining it in class,
you can buy the "recharge" that contains Cards dealing with the subject you need only.

Subject Areas:
Clothes, Body parts,
Seasons and weather,
Days, months, holidays,
Sports, Professions,
House - furniture,
City, Telling time,
Park, The classroom, Animals, Verbs, everyday routine, Food and Drink, Colours, Adjectives (opposites) Verbs.

Functions:
Combine words with their
correspondent pictures.

Combine present tense with past tense.

Connect verbs with subjects, or objects,
words with definitions.