My English Book and Me: Kindergarten 1 and 2 Student Tips

EFL kindergarten text, EFL picture dictionary

My English Book and Me: Kindergarten 1 and 2 (the pink and orange texts)

About the texts: My English Book and Me: Kindergarten 1 and 2 are black and white picture dictionaries. Students learn lots of vocabulary and simple questions and answers. In class we study the vocabulary, questions, answers and phonics.

Homework:

Your teacher will write the homework in the table of contents. She will write the date next to 1 unit.

We suggest 1 unit a week. But if you would like 2 units a week, please tell us.

Please remember the vocabulary in the unit.

The teacher will CHECK whether your child remembers the vocabulary the following class.

The teacher will point at the pictures in the unit, asking “What’s this?”

If your child can answer correctly with little or no help, the teacher will put a check next to the picture.

If your child struggles / other children or the teacher helps, the teacher will circle the vocabulary.

If there are many circles (lots of unknown words) the teacher will write one more time next to the same unit in the table of contents. Please study the same unit.

If the child remembered the vocabulary well, then the teacher will write good / great… next to the unit and assign the following unit for homework.

Students work at their own pace.

Most students remember the words in 1 unit / week and progress quickly through the text. Other students need more time. On average, the text should be completed in 1 year or less.

We emphasize remembering the vocabulary. But what else can students do?

1. Color: color the pictures

2. Write: write the words under the pictures and / or write the numbers next to the words.

3. Speak: practice the simple conversation as you learn the words. Do you like carrots? Yes, I do. What’s your favorite vegetable? I like __________ .

4. Read the words. (some 5 year olds can read well)

How do we practice the words and conversation in class?

● Homework Check (as explained above)

●Flashcards：Our original flashcards show EVERY word in the texts. Students look at the picture and ask and answer the questions. In class, we will mix up the flashcards—-so students are either learning for the first time or reviewing.

● Bingo: Our original Bingo uses the same vocabulary as the texts

● Look　'n 　Match： Our original game uses the same vocabulary as the texts

● Flip　'n 　Look：Our original game uses the same vocabulary as the texts.

All of our materials re - enforce each other. Students become confident speakers BECAUSE they learn the same thing in different ways. It is not boring. When 1 level becomes easy (for example Bingo A) we level up to the next level (Bingo B using featuring more difficult vocabulary) Children challenge themselves because they enjoy leveling up and enjoy learning thoroughly.

Phonics:

In addition to practicing the vocabulary, questions and answers in the kindergarten texts, students learn phonics.

BEFORE writing (which begins with My English Book and Me: Elementary 1), students will learn to recognize all letters, know their sounds and be able to think of 3 or 4 words that begin with that letter.

Some students can even read BEFORE any writing begins.

A few final notes:

Your child is on the way to becoming bilingual.

It will be a long road but it can absolutely be done.

We have some diligent students who have continued from 4 years old to high school and are fluent English speakers, readers and writers.

The keys to becoming bilingual with one hour English classes per week are as follows:

Attend classes (twice a week if possible)

Work hard in class

Do homework

Read English Books

Watch English T.V.

Speak English at Home

Do all of the above and we guarantee your child will be confident in English.

If you would like the Japanese translation of this blog, click here.

For more information on our kindergarten lessons:

If you would like to join the mailing list, click here.