Kids' World
Encouraging Classroom Language Use
Part 2
Part 1: Page 1 | Page 2
Part 2: Page 1 | Page 2
Leadership
Key Idea
Perhaps the more accurate phrase should be "Being in Charge," or "Bossing
Your Classmates Around." It's been my experience that nothing excites a child more
than power (except, perhaps, causing pain). Minor adjustments to almost any activity can
open it up to letting students have more control over certain aspects.
Process
After the second or third time the class has done the activity (and so is comfortable,
perhaps even a little bored with it), review the directions up, down, left, right, and
stop. Then, as quizzer, communicate that you will not move the hole unless they tell
you. (Be sure to clarify whose perspective will be used for left and right.) This makes
the activity more fun for both A and B as one gets to choose the card while the other
gets to give orders.
Manners and Values
Key Idea
If nothing else, students leave the class knowing "Thank you" and "Please."
As much as the subject of the class, teachers embody certain values, and it's always been
important to me–especially with the current problems of bullying and classroom
collapse–to emphasize respect for each other as well as the teacher and fair play.
Students also do better knowing they are in a safe and just environment. (For a discussion
of rules and classroom policy, see Effective Classroom Rules.
Process
The first A successfully requests a peephole screen from the teacher and has it in hand,
but the teacher does not let go. A tugs and tugs, and is rewarded with a dark look or
raised eyebrows from the teacher. A remembers–or is prompted by those behind him–to
say, "Thank you!" The teacher says, "You're welcome," and lets go of
the peephole screen.
During excited quizzing, A's partner B is unable to guess the picture. A forgets himself and
cries out, "Baka! (Stupid!)" The classroom goes silent as the teacher immediately
stops all other activity, walks up to A, and says sternly, "We don't say baka in class.
No baka. Tell B you're sorry." A tells B, "I'm sorry." B replies, "That's
okay." They shake hands. (This may be prompted as necessary).
Part 1: Page 1 | Page 2
Part 2: Page 1 | Page 2
Michele Louwerse
A native of Hawaii, Michele Louwerse has taught at the Chinese University of Hong
Kong and organized summer English camps and teacher training workshops in Hong
Kong and Guangdong (Canton), China. After earning an M.Ed. in Secondary English
Education at New York University, she taught at the Nagoya (Japan) YMCA English
School for five years, including two years as head coordinator, and specialized
in classes for children aged 4-6 years. She is currently working at the National
Council of YMCAs of Japan.
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