1st Edition
Jumpstart! Talk for Learning Games and activities for ages 7-12
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