Hi everyone!
I had submitted an application about a month ago to a kindergarten, and had two interviews. I feel the interviews had gone well, and even got a tour of the school in the second interview. The principal invited me for a third interview. He said that in the third interview, they want to see how I interact with the children. They want me to teach a short 15 minute English lesson, and it will be via zoom. Despite not having extensive experience with kindergartners, (I’ve only taught two month-long zoom classes to kindergartners, and helped direct a school and a church play years ago. I have more experience with middle school and high school students) I feel okay about it. I already have a plan to use cards with pictures on them and colors (I will probably teach them the colors, fruits and vegetables, or maybe home and family terms such as “this is a house.”) I was wondering if you guys had any advice. I really want to do my best and give it my all because I truly want this job, and I enjoy working with children.
Thank you!
5 comments
Kindergartners lose attention completely within about five minutes. They also need to be active, you can’t have them sitting around for 15 minutes, they’ll get extremely bored.
For 15 minutes, plan about four activities (maybe you’ll only do three, but have a fourth just in case). Alternate between straight teaching and an activity. Keep it very simple. easy songs are great. Body parts —> Head, Shoulders, Knees, Toes is fantastic.
I teach in-class. I can’t even begin to imagine teaching kinders via zoom. It’s gotta be so hard to keep their attention.
Kinders over Zoom sounds so rough. But I assume these kids have had English lessons before?
Keep it super simple. Songs, flashcards, simple responses both verbal and physical. Many activities that only last a few minutes each. Some ideas:
Hello song with arm gestures
Feelings flashcards or just facial gestures. Ask the kids who’s happy today raise your hand, who’s sleepy today raise your hand etc.
Color flashcards (like, only five cards) Go through them together then ask “Do you like blue?” Kids raise their hand and say YES or wave their hand and say NO. I like to mess around here and ask “Do you like…*midori*?” and my kids all shout NO FOURCATS-SENSEI! NO JAPANESE! IT’S GREEN!”
Actions: Stand up, walk, run, jump, throw, eat, sleep,
Body parts then Head Shoulders Knees and Toes
Family flashcards then Finger Family song always a hit.
Read a book maybe?
I’ve been teaching two differnt schools kindergarten online for about 2 years now and I’ll echo what people have said as well. Simple songs with movement are great. I like the songs from Super Simple Songs not only because the songs are, well, simple but because they usually focus on one set of vocab or grammar rather than trying to make videos that kids will only click on.
One example I like for KG is their song “If you’re Happy”. Rather than focusing on just learning an English song and keep the harder “if you’re happy and you know it and you really wanna show it”, they make it “if you’re happy happy happy, clap your hands, clap your hands.” The focus is on 4 feelings and simple actions. If you like you can even use the videos. Or if not, you can access all their flashcards on their site as well since it’s all free.
Other things I can recommend that you can try to incorporate is using the background options. I often have the background change to something silly before class to get their attention. From vids of animals walking about, to the beach default all the way to games they know like Minecraft/Animal crossing.
If you’re feeling spicy, take advantage of the site Baamboozle. Their are tons of user made flash cards and such that you can use for quick games or slideshow activities or you can make your own.
A lot of good advice has already been given. It’s important to remember that the mini lesson is not only to see if you can come up with a fun lesson but it’s mainly to evaluate how you are with kids. Give lots of praise and positive feedback to the kids. Use big gestures when giving instructions. Keep smiling no matter how it’s going. Good luck.
Update: Thank you guys so much for all of your advice! I was able to incorporate it and the principal was impressed. Most importantly, the kids enjoyed it! 🙂
I appreciate you guys!!!!!