It can be useful to have a flip chart in your ‘speaking and listening corner’. There are various things you will repeat each day as a teacher or during a particular lesson, and these pointers can be listed on a page in a flip chart ready for access at any time. See the examples below of what I use…
Example A: When examining a new word of the day each morning, you could look at a particular page in your flipchart where you might have recorded items for the children to explore. Such as…
1. Look up the word in a dictionary,
2. Record word, meaning and sentence in the pupils’ logbooks,
3. Pupils selected to record the word in the class dictionary and word of the day poster.
4. Examine word (any synonyms, antonyms, idioms, tongue twisters associated with the word of the day,
5. Reinforce using games such as the vocabulary block (see next post), ‘Tip of the Tongue’ meeting, use throughout the day or in homework.
Example B:Use a flipchart to display a visual prompt for during ‘object discussion’ activities to ensure pupils include various types of descriptions e.g. size, function, category, texture, colour, popularity, where it can be found etc. These pointers can be very helpful to pupils who can find it very difficult to give full descriptions.
Example C: These points could be displayed on a flipchart and discussed with pupils prior to each lesson using debates.
- An important thing for pupils to learn when debating is to express their own opinion with respect and not to insult when making their points. A strong argument can be more effectual than running down the opposing team.
- Turn taking: Taking turns is important for an successful speaker listener relationship
- The floor: The person who is speaking is the person who ‘holds the floor’.
4. Non-verbal behaviours’: These are the other ways we use to communicate besides words.
- Use of voice: Use intonation and pauses to convey meaning
- Volume: The voice should be loud enough so the audience can hear the message being delivered. Varying volume helps create emphasis on certain points or when trying to persuade the audience.
- Pitch: Use the rise and fall of the voice
- Pronunciation: Diction, grammar and word usage (no um’s and ah’s)
- Pauses: Used between phrases, ideas or for holding attention
- Eye contact: Eye contact between speakers and audience, not overly dependent on notes
Example D: When doing activities using the ‘parts of speech’, you can use the flipchart as a reminder to pupils what examples of nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs are etc.
Example E: When doing barrier game activities the flip chart can be useful to discuss and record Barrier Games Language such as verbs, adjectives, prepositions and concepts.
This sheet on Barrier Games Language can be displayed each time on the flip chart when doing barrier games.
There are many more lessons we do as teachers from day to day, repeating learning outcomes, vocabulary e.g. time connectives etc. which can all be put on a flip chart for easy and quick reference and left on display for the pupils during their activities.
If anyone has any other ideas for the use of a flip chart in the classroom, please add your comments below to share with others!
Let's get those kids talking! 