Ten Ways to Make the Methods WORK in Kindergarten Presented By: Heidi Rochin ELD Consultant and Trainer

Objectives By the end of the session, participants will be able to: Provide a solid verbal rationale for grammar-based ELD methods in the early primary grades; Explain the importance of implementing the Key Language Acceleration Principles in grades K-2; List ten ways to make full and vibrant use of the grammar- based ELD methods in kindergarten.

Importance of the Key Language Acceleration Principles in the Early Primary Grades

#1: LEVELED GROUPS FOR LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION  Allows teachers to tailor-fit the language instruction to the students’ needs Develop more precise language objectives Plan a more effective language lesson Consolidate support materials Focus on certain students Assess growth and progress more easily  Allows students more opportunities to produce language… Increased production = Acceleration of language learning!  Group together students of a similar language proficiency level

#2: CLEAR LANGUAGE OBJECTIVE  Teacher and student know what aspect of the English language they are expected to master. Specific Aspect of Language

PHONOLOGY: Sounds MORPHOLOGY: Affixes (Word Parts) Verb Tenses SYNTAX: Word Order Rules LEXICON: Vocabulary Word Bank SEMANTICS: Vocabulary Word Meanings 5 Aspects of Language

#3: COMPLETE SENTENCES Students produce in complete sentences at all times Apply and practice syntax (word order) rules Key to comprehension & the quick and efficient learning of new vocabulary! Complete Thoughts

#4: 50/50 RULE  Teacher produces 50% of the lesson  Student produces 50% of the lesson In order to quickly learn to play soccer correctly, what do I need to do? If students don’t produce a new language, they will never advance in that language Regardless of age or grade level

#5: THE PUSH Teach students one level above where they are already proficient at producing without a teacher Prevent stalled language development Accelerate language learning

#6: ERROR CORRECTION When a student makes a grammatical error, correct him/her on the spot Prevent students from developing poor grammar habits that will be more difficult to “undo” later  Quick  Effective  Gentle  Consistent

Purpose of Grammar-Based ELD Methods in the Early Primary Grades Develop vocabulary: Lexicon AND Semantics AND Syntax Build a strong grammar foundation: Teach the rules and patterns of the English language Take the guesswork out of language learning Eliminate wasteful time spent doing things wrong If we looked at the list of kindergarten sight words, what parts of speech would be covered within that list?

Common Method Complaint #1 From Kindergarten: Way to Make the Method WORK in Kindergarten: Kindergarten students cannot pair share on topic. Strategic Partnerships Partner Assignments Knee-to-Knee, Eye-to-Eye Daily Opening Activity Specific Task Limited Amount of Time

Common Method Complaint #2 From Kindergarten: Way to Make the Method WORK in Kindergarten: I can’t get my kindergarten students to speak in complete sentences. Daily Opening Activity Hand Gestures Restate Question Complete Sentence Clapper

Common Method Complaint #3 From Kindergarten: Way to Make the Method WORK in Kindergarten: Kindergarten students cannot read the charts. Use grade-level appropriate language Add visuals Color code your charts Use hand gestures Verb Tense Study

Common Method Complaint #4 From Kindergarten: Way to Make the Method WORK in Kindergarten: Kindergarten students cannot write independently. Manipulate words during independent practice Use fold-ables with formula components Require students to use words from the Working Chart and Grammar Wall Verb Tense Study

Common Method Complaint #5 From Kindergarten: Way to Make the Method WORK in Kindergarten: Kindergarten students don’t understand the parts of speech. Focus on Adjectives, Nouns, Pronouns, and Verbs Introduce Adverbs, Prepositions, and Conjunctions as When, Where, How, and Why words Teach with hand gestures Require students to justify responses with hand gestures Grammar Wall

Common Method Complaint #6 From Kindergarten: Way to Make the Method WORK in Kindergarten: Kindergarten students don’t use the Grammar Wall. Interrogatives: Who, What, When, Where, How, Why Grade-level appropriate sub- categories Add visuals Group the synonyms Require its use! Grammar Wall

Common Method Complaint #7 From Kindergarten: Way to Make the Method WORK in Kindergarten: Kindergarten students cannot sit through the method. Chunk material: Don’t compress too much information into your lesson! Hand gestures Kinesthetic activities Verb Tense Study: Human Formula Floor and Tables… Whole Group - Small Group – Partners Syntax Surgery: Sentence Bags Act it out! Function Junction & This or That:  My Friend, George  Pass the Ball

Common Method Complaint #8 From Kindergarten: Way to Make the Method WORK in Kindergarten: Vocabulary is too strenuous for kindergarten students. Pull visuals from grade-level textbooks: Science, Social Studies, Language Arts, and Math Revisit visuals to cycle back through vocabulary Combination of: Known Words + Prompted Words + New Words

Common Method Complaint #9 From Kindergarten: Way to Make the Method WORK in Kindergarten: I cannot get the students to produce. Don’t forward question Ask clear questions Pair share before calling on students Use your hand gestures to prompt students Make sure your visuals have several actors or actions

Common Method Complaint #10 From Kindergarten: Way to Make the Method WORK in Kindergarten: Language Warm-Up is too challenging to get through with kindergarteners. Alphabet/Sounds/Numbers:  Include letters, sounds, and number already taught… focus is pronunciation Repeat After Me:  Visualize word clouds  Finger-pops for each word Count the Words:  Jump  Clap  Tap

Ten Ways to Make the Methods WORK in Kindergarten Thank you for attending! Heidi Rochin ELD Consultant and Trainer (559)