Enhancing communication through gestures Pam Haynes S.D. #42 (Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows)

Enhancing Enhancing communication communication

through gesturesthrough gestures

Enhancing Enhancing communication communication

through gesturesthrough gesturesPam HaynesPam Haynes

S.D. #42 (Maple Ridge – Pitt S.D. #42 (Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows)Meadows)

Verbs are an important part of language

• Every sentence needs a verb.

• How do we teach verbs in a meaningful and fun way?

Using gestures to teach language

• It’s kinesthetic.• It’s effective.• It’s fun.• It’s easy.• It provides an important

foundation for language learning.

Recommended progression

• Present and practise gestures– One word

• Practise gestures with subject pronouns

- Two words

• Practise combining subject and verb with logical ending– Three words

Step OnePresent and practise

gestures

• regarde• écoute• écrit• lit• dit

• parle• ouvre• ferme• bouge• ne bouge pas

Practise options• In groups of 2 – 3• Beat the clock• Use student-made flashcards• Word – gesture• Gesture – word• Affirmative – negative• Third person – infinitive

Essayons des gestes!

Step TwoPractice with subject

pronouns

• Je• Tu• Il• Elle• On

• Je regarde• Tu fermes• Il lit• Elle parle• On bouge

Step threeAdd logical endings

Des mots-amis• le hamburger• la pizza• la radio• la télévision

Des mots français• le livre• le cahier• la porte• la fenêtre

Step threeAdd logical endings

Use adverbs• bien• mal• beaucoup• vite

Use place names• à la bibliothèque• au bureau• dans la salle de classe• à l’école

Practise suggestions• Groups of 2 (A,B)• 30 seconds (A parle, B compte)• Switch roles (B parle, A compte)• Record scores: look for improvement• Use for assessment• Keep the subject pronoun the same

(je)

Regardons nos élèves• Video of Grade 5 Core French

students at Blackburn Elementary, SD#42, Maple Ridge

Et maintenant practiquons!

Variation:Dice and card game

• Draw a verb card and roll die.• Number on die = number of sentences.• One point for each correct sentence.

Play to 20.• Rolling a “3” means making three

sentences with the verb on the verb card.– Je mange vite.– Il mange un sandwich.– Tu manges la pizza.

Blend with other resources and approaches

• Games • Plays • Songs• Book projects• Journal writing

Assessment Options• Test aural – teacher gestures, students

select the word from a word list• Students play and assess each other.• Play “Je suis super!” with the teacher.

Teacher counts the number of correct sentences in 30 seconds, just as practiced.

ReflectionIn pairs or threes:• How do gestures enhance

communication?• How can you see using gestures in

your classroom?