Monday, September 7, 2020

Using Worksheets---More than a time filler

 



When students hear the word "worksheets", they automatically think of it as boring busywork. However, for teachers, worksheets can help support the lesson's objective while providing an opportunity for some good practice. And, with the right teaching technique, students can be engaged without feeling like these papers are only tedious assignments that pass the time in class.


What is the right technique? One way to engage students with a worksheet is to look at the worksheet as if it is a page in their textbook. Normally, when using a textbook, teachers stimulate the students' interest by coming up with a warmer that excites students towards the topic that will be used on that particular page. If the topic is about the weather, your warmer covers parts about the weather outside. If the topic is about animals, ask about what your students' favorite animal is, or have a photo with various animals to talk about in pairs.

Personally, I like to have warmers that review steps or vocabulary which one needs to know to be successful in completing the page. I might do Pictionary, have related photos to discuss in pairs, a ball toss, or call and response activity. A few of many activities to use as a warmer for the worksheet provided.

Next, look at the first part of the paper. How can it be used as a pairwork? Maybe, one student asks the question, and the other answers it. Then, for the next question, they switch roles. Or students could fold the page and have to do dictation with their partner.

Once the students' pairwork has finished, think about what extended activity could they do with the topic they have just practiced. Maybe they could write a postcard with a drawing or listen to a song about the same subject. They can practice learning the song, or you can make it a fill in the blank exercise.

The last part of the worksheet could be used as a game, such as Speed Round Robin, in teams. Speed Round Robin is where there are teams of 2-3 students must work together to complete each question. Once they have solved the first one correctly, they notify the teacher to see if it is correct before moving on to the next. 

Or you can have them do Running Diction. Place the worksheet on the other side of the room, one student reads the paper for one question and runs to their partner to write the answer together. They cannot move to the next question until the teacher has checked that their answer is correct. The first team to complete the assignment first, wins. Then the whole class goes over the answer to clear up any mistakes and confusion.

Julia M Cameron at pexels.com

However, if you are sharing a screen in your online class, you can place the worksheet on your screen for students to see. Have them look at the exercise as a speaking activity. Go through the exercises, and ask individuals what the right words are to complete it. Then, for students who can write, have them complete the worksheet on their paper after you have gone over some of it verbally as a class. For the ones who don't write well or at the normal speed, (You know the ones who take 20 minutes to copy two sentences!) ask more questions that help repeat the grammar or vocabulary from the worksheet.

Another option would be to have students placed in breakout rooms to complete assignments with time periods. When the time is up, check who has the most answers. Then, the class agrees or disagrees with what answers the winning team has presented.

Either way, worksheets do not always have to be quick fillers to keep your students quiet for 10 minutes. They can be engaging as well as helpful in your lesson planning while using all four skills (speaking, listening, writing, and reading) in language learning.


GET GREAT ESL YOUNG LEARNERS WORKSHEETS HERE!

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Need some help building or reinforcing vocabulary in your ESL Young Learners class? This book has worksheets activities that will keep your students learning while they are having fun. All of the pages in this book are designed to be photocopied handouts. 


Engage your students in activities for the weather, time, animals, months, question words, prepositions, family, US holidays, describing people, and more. Plus, there is advice on how to use worksheets to extend a lesson and help practice vocabulary. 


These worksheets are suitable for children, aged 6 to 10 who are learning English at a beginner to intermediate level. There are also great fillers for fast finishers in your class. 

Teachers, give yourself a break from creating classroom material and let your students have fun with the activities in this book. 


Find on 

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Amazon.ca: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08HGLPZHB



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