Book reviews

Story books and Picture Books are, by far,  one of the best tools we have as English Language Teachers.

I have decided to take some of my time to read more English - authentic- books and to write a short review or ideas that may come to my mind on how to use them in class.

Soon I'll be receiving this book by mail. It will be one of many that I'll be writing about here on TF.

Frisbee - Course book

I think I've never written about this book.. Well, I'm not really a fan of english course books for primary school. Most of them are restricted to a few short topics and activities. I really like it better to create my own lessons most of the times with my own materials and Ideas. However, this course book as caught my attention three years ago. Not by the book itself but by the audio CD that comes with it!

The songs and chants are really great! The kids learn them fast and they always ask me to repeat them. It is a combination of nice songs with comic and dramatic voices.

I do think it is worth buying the project just for the CD! The activity book is also good. If I was forced to pick a course book for my students this would certainly be my choice.

Here in Portugal we can order the book from Santillana's site www.santillana.pt . I guess in spain it's the same... I don't know about other countries but I can tell you that the original publisher is Riachmond.

Story books tip

Hello Dear English Teachers!
I want to give you a tip on some great story books I'm working with.

This collection from Express Publishing is really great! I've used this story with my kids last week and they really liked it. The lesson was different, and sometimes that is enough to make motivation pop up!

This is a very well thought collection of story books called "Story Time" They are especially for ESL students and there are different levels of stories. They can be used with students who are at the very beginning of the language learning or with more advanced students.

This particular story "Merry Christmas" is full of activities about the words in the story. It has got Christmas songs and even a drama text at the end.

If it is well explored it can provide you one or more lessons full of fun and meaning!
I'm just sorry I don't have the CD yet but I'm thinking I'll buy it!
No, I'm not getting money for this post...ahahaha, it's totally free publicity!

Go and check the site for yourselves:
http://www.expresspublishing.co.uk/eltreaders_results.php?Country=uk&Family=STORYTIME