My husband and I recently took over an after school care business. The previous owner had zero curriculum for the kids, and was rubbing herself down to the wire literally having separate activities for multiple kids, all different books, etc. The English teachers, 6 of them, that came all on different days had no guidelines and no connections/progression between lessons- they just did randomly whatever they thought of or googled to print that day. And we came in right as the previous owner was pulling her hair out about Eiken Junior testing. Absolute chaos.
Now, I’m the only teacher every day, so I can actually make my lessons bulls on each other. But the kids we have right now are SUCH a mixed bag that deciding something everyone can do together is proving…difficult…to say the least. I don’t have time to divide into, let’s say, three different classes.
For arguments sake, let me set these guidelines: 2, 50 minute lessons each day. Every kids participates in both. Usually one lesson for conversation and games, one for printouts. If anyone has ANY suggestions about how to have at most one or two textbooks for kids from 1st to around 4th grade? Also, new people will probably come in throughout the year randomly, not sure yet how often. I’ve never taught this way before, so I’m a bit at a loss. Any help would be appreciated!!! Thank you!!!
6 comments
Maybe ditch the textbooks themselves but teach the lesson content within. I mean structure lessons based on an established curriculum, but don’t slam them with a textbook that some kids breeze through while others can’t read.
With printouts or worksheets you can customize stuff. However instead of giving everyone something different I think it might be better to prepare an extra ‘challenge’ worksheet or two. The advanced kids will get to them naturally and that’s the point. I wouldn’t treat anyone differently because of different levels. Just sneakily accommodate it.
I think for the most part kids that are more advanced are kind of happy being there and helping the kids who aren’t quite as far into their studies.
Personally I think I’d go back to basics, but in a novel way that isn’t too obvious, to make sure everyone has the foundations right. Or I’d set the lesson up so that part of it covers basics (you can call this review for advanced learners) and slightly more challenging stuff for the advanced kids (you can call this challenge time or something).
But maybe my advice is not so good. I don’t have a degree in education. 😅
Do a gap analysis. In this context, I mean you need to take the materials you have (textbooks) and evaluate where each kid is compared to a standard you need to define.
From there, you will get an idea of where each kid is versus this standard. You may need to move the standard up or down after you analyze each kid. 😉
If the kids are in different classes, decide if you want them to eventually hit the same level or if you simply want to make “advanced” levels. It may be easier to make an advanced level but that will only work if the kids are having lessons at different times.
HOWEVER, if the kids are together, you need to start drawing out a baseline and making a path to get the class towards your standard.
Example: If your textbook is developing basic phonics recognition, try making a standard of “All children can identify short vowels and basic consonant sounds (1 sound per letter) and can use these to construct CVC words.”
From there, you can develop the actual games and activities you will use to hit that goal.
It REALLY sucks because you almost always have to drag the lower level kids up (and they are usually lower level due to a lack of interest) and try to keep the advanced kids from getting bored while things normalize.
Which situation are you in now? # of kids and time slots?
That’s babysitting not teaching.
Divide them up by level and hold separate classes. You should be charging enough to cover your labor with just two kids in a room. If you can’t, remove any performance clause from your contracts and continue on babysitting.
Break up the lessons with super simple songs !
How many kids?
Charge more and get in another teacher so there are two in the classroom. Kids won’t learn much more than regular efl lessons without the modelling that having two teachers team teaching will bring.
You’ll soon see your kids bored out of their minds with plain efl lessons everyday. Games or not. Think less about how you break up the day, more about how you design the week.
Crafts, CLIL, going to the park all can be made meaningful in ‘after school’ settings with the right staff.
Smaller formal ‘lessons’ with a second teacher – class divided then large group activities for the remainder.
This sounds exactly like a job I had in Nagoya. No curriculum. No lesson plans. No syllabus. Literally nothing. Lasted 6 months before my brain literally felt like it was cracking. No advice. I just wish you the best.