Weekly Five: At-Home Activities

First I’ll start with saying I hope everyone is staying safe & healthy in this surreal and new time for all of us. I’ll write a post about leaving Uganda soon, but for now I’m jumping into some more educational posts.

Last week on Instragram, I started showing easy, at-home activities you can assign your students or do with your kiddos during this time of COVID-19. I plan on continuing this each week from Monday-Friday during this season. Activities will range from young learners to adult ESL, and will all be low-resource, easy prep. Follow on Instagram @theeslgirl

Here’s an overview of last week’s activities: 

1. Pyramid Spelling

Pyramid Spelling is a low-prep & fun way to practice spelling words. This is an alternative to writing words multiple times. You simply make a pyramid with the word, writing the first letter at the top, and then adding a letter each line. Add some colors or do it with chalk outside & you have an art / spelling activity!

2. Sight-Word SLAP!

This comes from a great teacher, @sparklinginsecond, and she has her students slap a sight word on the wall before leaving her class. That’s easily doable in your homes. Just add a sticky note with a word or two near a door & change them out each week. You might want to take the slapping part out during COVID-19, but instead they just have to say it each time they enter or exit a room. 

3. Word Pictures

Make a picture WITH the word. This is a great way for language learning and vocabulary. Drawing picture that’s representative of the meaning, plus adding the word into the picture will help students recall the word and make visual connections. I did this with my own language learning in Uganda while trying to learn basic Luganda:

4. readtheory.org 

A FREE reading website that gives students texts in their reading Lexile level, and then adjusts according to how they answer a few questions. It truly is a great way for students to practice reading skills. 

5. Friday Five 

On a Friday, why not have your students spend some time reflecting on what they have learned or enjoyed that week. It gives you a chance (as teacher or parent) to see how your kids are feeling or doing as well. I made a form with five reflective questions. I also made blank templates if you want to make your own questions. But this activity totally does not need a printed paper – feel free to do it on any scratch paper or just have a conversation. Free download HERE.

Again, I hope you’re all doing okay in the midst of this season. Stay safe & stay home 🙂

Happy teaching and home-schooling!