Author Topic: Help! Small Afterschool Class 5th and 6th Grade (Read 11519 times)

annunciata · « **on:** March 24, 2011, 12:27:41 PM »

Hello fellow waygookin!

I've been granted a new schedule this semester (TaLK afterschool public school teacher) and I'm having trouble with one of my classes. All of my classes are after school, but this one is composed of about seven total 5th and 6th grade students. The class is very unenthusiastic (as 6th graders tend to be) but the small size makes it difficult to play games and raise the energy level. Their proficiency level is very mixed.

I am not given a textbook or any ideas on what to teach (Since it's the first week the focus is on writing and speaking about themselves). They are supposed to be practicing for an afterschool competition, but I have no sample questions from said competition and am unfamiliar with what questions they would be asked. Does anyone have sample English competition questions or a post that might lead me in the right direction?

Also, what are some tips and tricks for working with this age level? I've cracked the code with younger ages, but winning these guys over seems to elude me! I would like to make them more interested in class, but seem to be failing! ???

hens1760 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 24, 2011, 12:38:13 PM »

Hello^^

I'm in the same boat on this one. I have one after school class with only 2 students, a brother and sister in grades 6 and 5.
Motivating them is very hard :( Since their level is a little under average and communication is very limited, Ive decided to plan lessons around their actual school curriculum... they seem to enjoy it more then just learning something random/new, and they become more confident and speak out more in their regular English classes (which I also teach) because they become more familiar with the subject.

Hope this helps^^

annunciata · « **Reply #2 on:** March 24, 2011, 06:15:58 PM »

Thanks! Looks like we're in this together!

They reacted really well to having their dialogues video taped this afternoon. It made them work a lot harder and get excited about doing a good job for the camera!

Another friend gave me the idea of making a movie with them this afternoon, having the students brainstorm the idea of the movie, write the script, make their own costumes, and then record it toward the end of the semester. I think this sounds fantastic!

sonz · « **Reply #3 on:** March 24, 2011, 06:31:53 PM »

I played a guessing game (What am I?) with my 5th and 6th grade After-school class. Then I gave them blank paper and asked them to
make their own either in groups or in pairs. They had to present it to the rest of the class. They could either write simple sentences
or draw pictures for their clues depending on their English ability.

epinephrine9 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 24, 2011, 06:45:52 PM »

I'll be starting a similar type of class next week Monday. We still haven't figured out how we're dividing it, but I know it will be around 8-9 students in 2 sections. I'm also struggling with even thinking up ways to work with them. I know that the most predominant thing is going to be writing, but other than that, I have no idea. I'm thinking of doing a lot of word games/activities, quite a few worksheets, and a respectable amount of random conversation. I am also considering the idea of having them make a small skit, though I don't know if we will have access to much for making props. Either way, the entire idea seems to just be making a hakwon out of a public school. :S

Scooter · « **Reply #5 on:** March 24, 2011, 07:35:01 PM »

Skits are a good idea. Reading stories aloud to them and having them make it into a skit could be fun. I like using songs- karaoke sytle. Why not find out their interests and hobbies and go from there? with a small class, you can have a great impact on the learning English. Have some fun.

AC_in_Korea · « **Reply #6 on:** March 25, 2011, 08:12:22 AM »

I have an afterschool class with 9 students, grades 5 + 6, with mixed English abilities.
I used to use a book with them, but now I plan various activities with them. Sometimes, I just pull out my box of flashcards, and have them play pictionary. Two teams, show the word to one person on each team, and they have to draw it, first team to gues the word wins a point.
They love this game, and it helps to build their vocabulary. The students with the lower level of English still do well with this.
I found a game on here called picture game. IT's a ppt file, with a 30 second clock on each slide.
I divide the class into two teams, and each team takes their turn sending one student up t the front, with their back to the TV screen. The team must try to get the one student to say the word on the screen, by giving clues - but they cannot say the word. For example - if it is a picture of a tree, the students can say - outside, big, green, grow, and make an action like a tree. They really love this game - and do quite well with the vocab.
Right now I am doing the movie lesson from here (waygook.org), "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs". They watch a part of the movie (with Korean subtitles), and then have to answer questions on a worksheet. I was worried that they would be bored, but they are actually enjoying it!
I hope these help.

annunciata · « **Reply #7 on:** March 25, 2011, 11:18:21 AM »

Pictionary! Of course! They will love it, and everyone will be able to play! Thanks for the suggestion! I watched How to Train Your Dragon with the kids and they loved it too! We should watch Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs next!

Some react exceedingly well to worksheets, but others can just sit there lost until I hold their hand completing it. In the future, I plan to make 2 separate levels of worksheets for the class.. Live and learn!

And, LOL! The public schools are trying to be hagwons, but the students are completely mixed level and the schools have no way of assessing their students initial proficiency or progress. I gave them a diagnostic test and they're all over the board!

Ultimately, we can do just about anything we want for 40 minutes, but I reeeeeally want the students to get something-- knowledge, inspiration or even just a phrase or two-- while I'm here.

injuredeagle · « **Reply #8 on:** March 25, 2011, 12:16:59 PM »

One thing I used to do with low level small classes is start off with the normal "How are you" and then after they said ("good, tired, bad, etc -- the lesson before I got them away from "I'm Fine"), I would ask "why?" and then watch them squirm trying to explain. "Because ..." When I got it out of them, I would take a minute and teach the whole the class the phrase. It was really painful (for them and me) to do at first, because you have stand there until they give some answer, but after a few weeks, the answers improved, their attitude and shyness improved and by the end of the afterschool they looked forward to it. Before class they would look up translations on their phone so when I asked they were prepared.

It really changed the dynamic of my class within a few classes.

MetalWarrior · « **Reply #9 on:** February 07, 2013, 11:27:03 PM »

Always start your planning with a goal.

It helps a lot.

chuck2657 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 04, 2013, 08:56:58 PM »

If they really are unenthusiastic, I'd recommend staying away from pictionary/charades/role-play/random outgoing activities. At least in my experience, those activities work best with active/interested classes.

Start with simple material, do games and activities that they enjoy (some classes like pass the ball, some like bomb games, others like running dictionary). If they're lower level and having attention issues limit your "information injections" to 5 minutes a piece; and maybe only one or two a class period. Spend the rest of the time reviewing and playing games.

TeachaTeacha · « **Reply #11 on:** March 04, 2013, 10:08:25 PM »

Hey!

I taught an after school class with a huge age and ability range. They were very hesitant to talk and I struggled in getting them to participate in anything. After many weeks of trial and error, I had my after school class create their own countries. The following is a link to the 5 week program that I completed with them. It worked out really well...

http://www.waygook.org/index.php/topic,46276.msg299942.html#msg299942

If I were to use this again, I may add a few categories - thus, a few weeks.

The categories I would add are:

Famous People (I would make a PPT about famous people that they probably know. They would create a famous person, design their look, and describe some of their life story or accomplishments)

Famous Structures (I would make a PPT about famous structures around the world. They would create a 3D structure out of... maybe popsicle sticks... then offer a description or history of it)

Social Norms/Gestures (I would make a PPT about the social norms and gestures that are appropriate or acceptable around the world. They would create a set of norms and gestures that represent their country)

I've toyed with the idea of creating a monthly or bi-monthly class newspaper. I was thinking of suggesting a variety of submission options to the students which would try to be based upon their own personal interests...

- comics
- food reviews
- movie reviews
- book reviews
- music reviews
- video game reviews
- product (shoes, clothing, electronic) reviews
- pretend celebrity interview
- celebrity biographies
- sports colums
- they could interview other students or staff
- if someone has zero English ability, you could get them to take or draw pictures to go with the work of other students
- current news
- health tips
- Korean history articles

I've also thought about doing some scrapbooking type lessons where the students can bring in pictures or magazines, or even draw pictures and create a mini scrapbook with little explanation or quote bubbles beside the pictures. Perhaps a different focus each class - friends, family, hobbies, travel, tv/movies/video games, celebrities and so forth.

I haven't completely thought through the newspaper or scrapbook ideas, yet.

Author Topic: Help! Small Afterschool Class 5th and 6th Grade (Read 11519 times)

annunciata

Help! Small Afterschool Class 5th and 6th Grade

hens1760

Re: Help! Small Afterschool Class 5th and 6th Grade

annunciata

Re: Help! Small Afterschool Class 5th and 6th Grade

sonz

Re: Help! Small Afterschool Class 5th and 6th Grade

epinephrine9

Re: Help! Small Afterschool Class 5th and 6th Grade

Scooter

Re: Help! Small Afterschool Class 5th and 6th Grade

AC_in_Korea

Re: Help! Small Afterschool Class 5th and 6th Grade

annunciata

Re: Help! Small Afterschool Class 5th and 6th Grade

injuredeagle

Re: Help! Small Afterschool Class 5th and 6th Grade

MetalWarrior

Re: Help! Small Afterschool Class 5th and 6th Grade

chuck2657

Re: Help! Small Afterschool Class 5th and 6th Grade

TeachaTeacha

Re: Help! Small Afterschool Class 5th and 6th Grade