1st Edition

Jumpstart! Talk for Learning Games and activities for ages 7-12

By Lyn Dawes, John Foster Copyright 2016
    178 Pages
    by Routledge

    178 Pages
    by Routledge

    Jumpstart! Talk for Learning presents a collection of multi-sensory games and activities that will jumpstart children’s use of effective talk in the classroom. This book offers practical and engaging ideas ranging from brief games to extended lesson suggestions. It offers a basis for creating your own spoken language activities to match topics you are teaching and individual needs of your class.

    Specifically written to help teachers with the direct teaching of talk skills required by the National Curriculum, activities in the book encourage children to:

    • participate in group and class discussions

    • use exploratory talk and share a range of points of view

    • use talk imaginatively to develop understanding

    • develop individual presentational talk

    • take part in active drama sessions

    Jumpstart! Talk for Learning includes a range of classroom activities that can be used in literacy lessons and integrated across the curriculum. This essential resource will help teachers develop children’s use of talk to understand one another and get things done together.

     

    Introduction

    The importance of talk in the classroom. Why classroom talk can be a part of a productive learning environment.

    How understanding is developed through speculating, hypothesising, imagining and exploring ideas.

    The importance of listening and responding to what others say. Developing children’s skills so that they become active listeners.


    Section 1

    Talking to convey information:

    Informative talks

    Recounting experiences

    Reporting events

    Researching and reporting

    Explanations

    Instructions and directions.

    Section 2

    Expressing opinions and arguments:

    Expressing opinions

    Points of view

    Developing arguments

    Discussion

    Preparing speeches

    Debating

    Persuading

    Section 3

    Using talk imaginatively to develop understanding

    Telling and retelling stories

    Learning and presenting poems

    Hot seating and thought tracking

    Role play

    Improvisation

    Assessing Speaking and Listening

    Assessing the content, structure, language and delivery of talks and speeches

    Assessment of group discussions

    Assessment of storytelling and poetry presentations

    Assessing listening skills

    Biography

    Lyn Dawes is a consultant in Spoken Language in the Primary Years, previously Senior Lecturer in Education at the University of Northampton, UK and visiting lecturer at the University of Cambridge, UK.

    John Foster taught English for 20 years before becoming a full-time writer. He has written over 100 books for classroom use and is a highly regarded children’s poet.

    "Perfect for a staffroom library, this book offers a multitude of stimulating ideas and is bound to spark off discussion among teaching staff." - Sarah Brew, Parents in Touch