Younger Kids (6-8 years old)

Document written by Pascale DAstous, BA (ESL Education), teacher at SOS-tudes Outaouais.

In a perfect world, these would be split into two groups: 1) kindergarten and grade 1, and 2)
grades 2 and 3. This isnt always feasible, though, so do your best to adapt to your students
varying levels.

The focus at this level is mostly vocabulary, but if the students seem ready, activities where they
have to use simple sentences can be included. Written exercises could also be used. In the
example below, I have done about two classes on each category, but more classes might be
necessary depending on your students and on the number of words you want to include. If using
the Magic Bag every class, the idea is to switch vocabulary categories by phasing out the objects
of one category while gradually adding the ones of the next category.


Program content
Greetings
Polite expressions
Vocabulary: colours, numbers, animals, clothes, body parts, food, school objects, etc.
Special day vocabulary if during the course: Halloween (as in the example below),
Christmas, Valentines Day, etc.
Prepositions of place: in, on, under, next to
Simple uses of verbs to be and to have
Action verbs: walk, jump, sit, stand up, turn, etc.

Blueprint of a class
For the younger ones:
Greet them at the beginning
Have them describe their clothes
Story related to the vocabulary for the class
Song related to the vocabulary for the class
Magic Bag game (see below)
Guess my Picture or other games that use lessons vocabulary
Colouring: picture(s) of some of the vocabulary of the day (circulate and have the
students tell you what it is and what colours they are using)

For the older ones:
Depending on the students interest level, you might want to skip the song, story and
colouring or do them only occasionally. They would need to be replaced by other games
and activities that practice the vocabulary.

Magic Bag game:
Put some objects (based on theme of the day) in a bag and have students take turns picking an
object and naming it. Once the bag is empty, students take turns asking for objects (___, please; I
want the ____, please; Can/May I have the ____, please?; Thank you.)

Example of an eight-week lesson plan
Adapt as needed you know your students best!

Class 1
-Greet students as they come in (Hello, How are you?). As a group, go over possible replies if
necessary.
-Have students introduce themselves (name, age, school, hobbies, birthday, etc.); ask questions
to help if needed.
-Song: Where is Thumbkin? (for greeting vocabulary)
-Have students describe their clothes (Im wearing...); make them include colours.
-Vocabulary for the class: colours and numbers (1-10)
Possible activities: Magic Bag, board game, Guess my Picture, point to the object...

Class 2
-Greetings
-Describe their clothes (What are you wearing? Im wearing...)
-Song: Where is Thumbkin?
-Vocabulary for the class: colours, numbers, school objects
Possible activities: Magic Bag, Guess my Picture, point or find the object, Whats
Missing? (The students study a series of objects then close their eyes while one object or
more is taken away. They have to figure out what is missing.)

Class 3
-Greetings
-What are you wearing?
-Activity that reviews colours and numbers
-Vocabulary for the class: school objects and animals
Possible activities: Magic Bag, Guess my Picture, find the pairs, board game...
-Can also start to introduce some action verbs by having the students follow your commands in
between activities or if you feel like they need to move around a little.

Class 4
-Greetings
-What are you wearing?
-Vocabulary for the class: animals and food (fruit and veggies)
Possible activities: Magic Bag, board game, find the pairs, mimes, Guess my Word
(modified Hangman)

Class 5
-Greetings
-What are you wearing?
-Animals and food review: Magic Bag, Guess my Picture, drawing...
-Vocabulary for the class: prepositions of place (in, on, under, next to)
Possible activities: drawing exercise, place an object where I say...

Class 6 (assuming Halloween is nearby)
-Greetings
-What are you wearing?
-Vocabulary for the class: Halloween things and body parts
Possible activities: Magic Bag, board game, Guess my Picture, find the pairs
-For body parts: song (Head and Shoulders), Simon Says
-Review of prepositions of place

Class 7 (Halloween theme continued)
-Greetings
-What are you wearing?
-Song: Head and Shoulders
-Halloween story
-Halloween vocabulary: Magic Bag, Guess my Picture, mimes, board game...
-Prepositions of place: drawing exercise, treasure hunt, Wheres the Number/Picture?

Class 8
-Greetings
-What are you wearing?
-Song: Head and Shoulders
-Vocabulary for the class: review of what has been seen
Possible activities: Magic Bag, drawing, board game, Guess my Picture, find the pairs...