Author Topic: After School Textbook Recommendations (Read 16967 times)

craker83 · « **on:** June 16, 2010, 10:22:16 PM »

I posted this in the elementary section, but I guess I am supposed to post it here instead...
My co teach has been asking me about textbooks. I was wondering what textbooks worked for you in the past, and what books do you suggest?

BBetz1985 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 17, 2010, 07:33:49 AM »

I recommend you stay away from the Backpack series. Dreadful book and my kids hate it.

hanamibls · « **Reply #2 on:** June 17, 2010, 09:46:21 AM »

I'm currently using the "Catch" books. I think they are pretty good . . . 10 units about 10 pages a unit though, so it's a bit much to fit into one semester if you ask me.

gavfav · « **Reply #3 on:** September 09, 2010, 02:10:23 PM »

I would second BBetz1985's opinion of Backpack, I used it for two classes and had to ditch it!

K04 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 01, 2010, 01:27:23 PM »

Hi Everyone;

I'm going to be starting some after school classes for grades 1-6 (elementary) starting next week. I have to pick my own (and pay for) my own textbooks. Does anyone have some recommendations on what books are good to cover me for these levels?

bern · « **Reply #5 on:** December 01, 2010, 01:45:32 PM »

Superkids - I love it, this is by far the best book I've used! Get the activity book, student book, teachers guide and flashcards if you can afford it. You won't need anything else.

(if the books are too expensive just get the activity books, they photocopy really well and you could share students books.) The flashcards are the best investment for games.

English Land is Ok, it's got Disney characters in it but I find the pace pretty grinding.

Avoid backpack it's rubbish.

*If you got to Kim and Johnson you can read the books online or go to their store or DK Book stocks all these

Koreak · « **Reply #6 on:** December 01, 2010, 01:53:48 PM »

I agree Superkids is a fantastic book.

HadongEup · « **Reply #7 on:** February 17, 2011, 11:08:40 AM »

Hi Everyone!

I've been given the task to choose a work book for three of my after-school classes. I don't have any hard copies to choose from and I live in a rural part of Korea so there are no book stores (closest is over 2h away). I was hoping you could give me some suggestions...

HELP!!

Grade 1-2 (beginners - possibility of students having no English)
Grade 3-4 (beginners - only a step ahead of the youner class)
Grade 5-6 (intermediate)

I've heard good things about "Let's Talk" and "Backpack" for the younger classes.
Also saw a post about "Wow", but couldn't find any descent information to rely upon.

Thanks for your help!

HadongEup · « **Reply #8 on:** February 17, 2011, 11:09:47 AM »

argh, sorry for the spelling mistake in the subject title

Alli-SAM · « **Reply #9 on:** February 17, 2011, 11:13:44 AM »

I used the Catch series. The subjects jump around a little bit but I appreciated that there were plenty of activities and things for the kids to fill out in the books!

eveliens · « **Reply #10 on:** February 17, 2011, 11:19:16 AM »

Hi,

I have Backpack 1 & 2 for my grades 3/4 and 5/6. Honestly, the kids seem to really hate them. But I think that they are okay although I don't use them as often as I could.

The Backpack for the littler ones is a joke and I replaced it with phonics instead. The kids really seem to enjoy the phonics more! And it'll help a lot of they don't know any English.

No idea about Let's Go!/Talk. I read that "Superkids" is really good, but I don't know.

ValCavazos · « **Reply #11 on:** February 21, 2011, 05:22:27 PM »

I used Superkids 1-6 with all my after school classes. They have a few sample chapters online (longman and pearson website) and i have a bunch of powerpoints that i made to go along with them. if you end up using these books i can email you the powerpoints.

rhafrika · « **Reply #12 on:** March 03, 2011, 03:28:06 PM »

I am in the same boat. I will be teaching 20, 1st and 2nd graders (with apparently no English experience) after school starting next week (all this was sprung upon me today of course). I have a budget for a full calendar year and I have to submit a lesson plan for the entire year by tomorrow. So I'm looking at also buying textbooks to use since I have a budget for it. You recommend Superkids. Is there anyway to view the master list of topics for the beginning level of this book online? Not sure if I will have time to actually buy and look at the textbook before I have to submit this lesson plan but it would be helpful to make a plan based off the book I'm going to be using. If any one has any advice I would appreciate it. I have LOTS to do between now and tomorrow!

campbell · « **Reply #13 on:** April 05, 2011, 07:38:33 PM »

Thanks so much guys, this stuff is awesome!! I found this site on here

http://www.finchpark.com/books/zip/

which has really helpful textbooks in it. Also, if you can find their book called Tell Me More, it also looks pretty good. Just providing a base for you to work from. Please keep it coming :D

cari83 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 02, 2012, 09:42:07 AM »

I have been in Korea since September and last semester we finished our textbooks (Sounds Fun, a phonics book) for both grades 1-2 and 3-4 after school classes. Then my co-teacher asked what textbooks I wanted to get next and I had no idea. So I ended up teaching the classes without textbooks, which was a big mistake. I don't know what I'm doing and these classes were usually not successful.

Now she is asking me which textbooks I think we should get for this semester and I definitely want textbooks! Could anyone please suggest textbook titles for 1-2, and separate books for 3-4 after school? I may go to Seoul this weekend to look at textbooks. She wants to do phonics for 1-2 but she has no ideas for what to do for grades 3-4. Thank you so much to anyone who responds.

kmfsu32 · « **Reply #15 on:** March 02, 2012, 03:46:38 PM »

I've actually been placed into the same situation as yourself. Never taught phonics before and really not sure how to go about preparing things. I asked about a textbook too, but got no definitive response and feel like I need to pull things out of the air.

I'm hoping to come across some materials, but a bit curious to know how you went about things without any textbook.

jjsheehan · « **Reply #16 on:** March 07, 2012, 12:25:28 PM »

This year my school asked me to teach a kindergarten class twice a week. They also asked me to pick a workbook or textbook to go along with the class. However, I'm not sure what book is good for kindergarten. This is the first time teaching kindergarten and the first time picking a textbook. So, I'm not sure what is out there for books. If you could give me a name of a book or work book that would be great, or a suggestion on where to look.

ronalogue · « **Reply #17 on:** March 09, 2012, 08:05:58 AM »

Yes yes, I would love some advice for after school textbooks too! I also taught without textbooks to advanced grades 1&2, 3, 4, 5 and 6! Absolute nightmare thinking of ideas.

I also teach an extra writing class to about grade 5&6ers twice a week. These kids also go to my afterschool, so no repeating material. Therefore, really, after a term, I have completely exhausted my ideas bank!

I had a look in the bookshop the other day. Ones that caught my eye were: English Land, Let's Go, Backpack, Our Discovery Island and Starship English.

Does anyone have any recomendations? What's worked well for you guys in the past? What has sunk like a lead balloon?

laura.stumpf · « **Reply #18 on:** March 09, 2012, 09:14:47 AM »

Hey, I teach at two after school centers. At one we use Reading Sense for Reading Comprehension, and it is pretty awful. The vocabulary in each section is really random and unrelated, it's boring, and it's generally too difficult for the students. At the other school we are using Our Discovery Island, and these books rock! They progress through vocabulary in a very logical way. They are really colorful, have great pictures, and have activities with stickers, coloring, and games, which makes it much more interesting. There is even a great workbook with additional activities for each chapter. Highly recommend Our Discovery Island!

BROOKEW · « **Reply #19 on:** March 11, 2012, 08:44:26 PM »

Did you find any? What age?