A Glance at our English and Art Lessons

I'd like to start this post with an update of what we are working on in the fourth and fifth grade English classes. The fourth graders are in the middle of their "Members of a family" unit. They are learning the English words for each family member. I showed them a powerpoint with pictures of my mom, dad, brother, and a few aunts, uncles and cousins. They recently finished their "I like ____" unit which introduced them to various hobbies and interests. I tried to incorporate this to review what they've learned while supporting what they are currently learning. When I showed my powerpoint, I introduced each member "This is my uncle, his name is John. John likes hunting." Then I had them partner up and describle one member of their family.


Last week Karin saw me painting with one of my students and asked if I would pick up the fourth grade art classes as well. I jumped at this opportunity so now I am teaching six classes. I've decided to use this opportunity to integrate some English practice into the Art classes. Monday I taught the students how to draw a self-portrait. I'm going to have them draw a portrait for each member of the family. In English class they will use the portraits to introduce their family members to each other, "This is my sister. her name is Beearta. Beearta likes to play soccer." 


On Monday Karin also informed me that Martin Widmark (famous Swedish author) and Louise Hoffsten (famous Swedish musician and co-author of the book Dar Orgiernas Dansar) will be visiting the school on April 9. Sara has been reading Dar Orgiernas Dansar in Svenska class with the fourth graders and the whimsical illustrations are very beautiful. I thought it would be fun for the students to paint something reminiscent of the book's art style to share with the authors when they visit. One of the class's favorite pages in the book has a beautiful illustration of an enormous and powerful tree. This inspired me to have the student's paint elaborate trees to show the authors. They will glue the portraits they've been drawing to their trees to make their own family trees!

In the fifth grade English classes we are working on group presentations. Working in groups of 3-4, the students will organize and deliver a presentation on a favorite hobby or activity. The presentation must compare and contrast how the activity is used in Sweden and how it is used in America. Every group member must have a speaking role in the presentation and it must be completely in English. Björn's students are used to working with "task lists" so below is the task list I designed for this project:

1. Brainstorm a list of at least 3 activities with your group.
2. Vote to chose an activity.
3. Talk together about what you know about your activity in Sweden (take notes in your note book).
4. Generate a list of questions you want to know about the activity in America.
5. Interview Nikki to learn about your activity in America (take notes in your notebook)
6. Choose at least 3 similarities and 2 differences and organize your presentation.
7. Present to another group using the Peer Review sheet.

I chose this project because it gives the students a chance to use English in an authentic situation. It also promotes engagement by allowing the students to learn English by using it to discuss an describe the things they love to do. This assignment allows them to practice speaking English with each other and practice speaking English to a native speaker during their interviews with me. Additionally this gives me a chance to talk with my students in a small group setting so I can assess their level of fluency. This presentation also has a cultural connection, because they are comparing the American and Swedish cultures in regards to their chosen activity. 


We'll finish this by next Wednesday, then we will turn our focus to lessons that feature whole group discussion. The kids love talking to me and it really strengthens their english. I will bring in a box and everyday they can write a topic on slips of paper and put it in the box. I will draw topics and we will discuss what that is like in America. They have already asked many questions about graduation, holidays, college, etc.

The students keep talking to Björn in Svenska and when he asks them to repeat in Engelska (English) they say things like, "This is the best week of English ever" and "We don't want you to ever leave" and "Can you stay and be a teacher here?" They really love having me here and I love being here! I even love the way they say my name. My name is confusing to them because they aren't used to the short "i" sound. They also have trouble because in Sweden you never find girls names that end with a long "e" sound. They've sort of invented their own pronunciation. So when I come in every morning I hear them down the hall, "Neeka! Neeka! Komma Neeka!" I've come to love the sound of them mispronouncing my name.