Elementary Schools

Elementary School Visits

At elementary schools, you find the odd combination of an ALT who wants to teach and a class that wants to learn. Thus, the possibilities are limitless.

Preparation

Wear loose, comfortable clothes. Call the school or have someone call for you to find out what your timetable will be, what grades you will teach, how many students and what space will be available. Whenever possible, the younger kids will be better suited to the outdoors or the gym - somewhere where they have room to move_.

Lesson Plans

Be sure to suit your lesson plan to the number and age of your students. There is nothing worse than a roaring game of Fruit Basket with 5 players. If you are under time never be afraid to review the English you have already taught. I really only go for immediate effect with the kids and not any long-term understanding of English. Contact the Shiogama ALT if you have questions about long-term teaching as it is a regular part of that ALT’s schedule and is monitored by the prefecture. I only see a class about once or twice a year, so I just try to make for a fun lesson. The following are some classic lesson plans that I have used and reused many times.

Tips for the Trade

The best resource you have is the memory of any childhood game that you played. Just adapt it to an English lesson. I play “Duck, Duck – Goose!” using “Good morning, good morning – good afternoon!” If you don’t know that game, ask around and get informed – it’s a winner every time. Always remember to do at least a slight self-intro at the beginning of class. If they don’t see you very often, they will need to be reminded of your name and what to call you. Be prepared to sign your name and feel like a celebrity in case they start asking for autographs (I am serious – it has happened to me many a time).

Numbers and Time

	Teach the students numbers 1-12
	Write the numbers at random all over the chalkboard in two or three different colors. Divide the students into two or three teams and teach them the names of the different colors. Have one representative from each team come up to the chalkboard and when you shout a number and color, they have to race to circle it first (for example: Blue-4). Award a point to the fastest team.
	Follow this up by teaching the word “o’clock.” Only using times on the hour, ask the students what time it is according to the clock you draw on the chalkboard.
	Move the desks or go outside and play “What Time is it, Mr. Wolf?” wherein you are the wolf and you stand with your back to the students at the opposite end of the playing field. They yell in unison “What time is it, Mr. Wolf?” You say, for example, “3 o’clock.” They can take three steps. After a while of this and when the students are close enough, you yell LUNCH TIME! and run after them. Whoever you touch is your lunch and then they become wolves and help you catch the others. With much younger children, the “Mr. Wolf” can be difficult, so I use oukami-san ima nan ji desu ka? That’s “What time is it, Mr. Wolf?” in Japanese.

Body Parts

	Teach the students “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes.” Even if they have trouble at first, keep repeating the words over and over. Explain what the word “and” means and tie it together with a diagram on the chalkboard. They will love your exaggerated drawings of the body parts. Say it over and over, then sing it slowly. Go faster and faster and even if you are the only one singing they will think it’s fun to do the actions fast.
	Next, teach “in” and “out” and “hand” and “foot” and “right” and “left.” Play “Simon Says” using these words.
	This naturally progresses into singing and dancing the “Hokey Pokey.” Expand on the Hokey Pokey by using hips and backside. They love the “shake it all about” part with these body parts. Often, you are the only one singing but they are having a great time and so it never seems to matter much. It is a great closer and it exhausts them thoroughly – and you too!