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!
 |
| Click to See More |
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
Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HGLPZHB
Amazon.co.uk: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08HGLPZHB
Amazon.de: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08HGLPZHB
Amazon.fr: https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B08HGLPZHB
Amazon.es: https://www.amazon.es/dp/B08HGLPZHB
Amazon.it: https://www.amazon.it/dp/B08HGLPZHB
Amazon.jp: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B08HGLPZHB
Amazon.ca: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08HGLPZHB
