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I bought Odonata Leveled Readers after reading Chalk Academy's review. The first four sets come with pronunciation CDs, which is a huge plus. The voice of the speaker is pleasant (not grating/cloying) and very clear.
Odonata readers teach 12-14 new characters at once instead of one new character at a time (SageBooks). Brooks was at first resistant and wanted to "read SageBooks everyday" instead. The second time we read Odonata Book 1.1, he realized that the book was not too much beyond him and started paying attention.
During repetitions within the book, I establish meaning and check comprehension by:
I plan to go over each book in 3-5 sessions, depending on their comprehension (prior exposure/knowledge to characters and vocabulary, etc.)
We have been doing Mandarin six days out of the week. (They get a break from me on the day their teacher comes.) We rotate between BetterChinese (8-page picture books), SageBooks (Almost done with Book 1.1), and Odonata as I see appropriate. We’ve done one TPRS circling so far. Sometimes I read a Chinese picture book to them instead. Sometimes we go over flashcards, sing/learn a Chinese song/poem, or do a game/activity in Chinese. I usually save the game/activity for a "fun" break/ending when Brooks is getting antsy or uncooperative.
When Brooks is off doing his own thing (sometimes Chinese-related, sometimes hula-hooping a few meters away while listening), I focus on River who needs more Chinese repetitions anyway. Thankfully, River still doesn't find the books childish*.
* I told him that my reading level is at Chinese children's books (really a bit worse because I probably only have ~20% of a native Chinese kid's vocabulary).
☆ 07/100 moments in multiples of 50 words
My tentative lesson map:
( Read more... )
List of the 40 book titles: ( Read more... )
Odonata readers teach 12-14 new characters at once instead of one new character at a time (SageBooks). Brooks was at first resistant and wanted to "read SageBooks everyday" instead. The second time we read Odonata Book 1.1, he realized that the book was not too much beyond him and started paying attention.
During repetitions within the book, I establish meaning and check comprehension by:
1) Reading the first sentence in Mandarin (repeating after the CD)
2) Translating the first sentence into English, pointing at the corresponding Chinese words as I say the English translation
3) Reading the second sentence in Mandarin
4) Point to the second sentence and ask, "英文怎么说" (How do you say it in English?)
5) If they hesitate, repeat steps 1-2. Point out words and tell them what it means.
I plan to go over each book in 3-5 sessions, depending on their comprehension (prior exposure/knowledge to characters and vocabulary, etc.)
We have been doing Mandarin six days out of the week. (They get a break from me on the day their teacher comes.) We rotate between BetterChinese (8-page picture books), SageBooks (Almost done with Book 1.1), and Odonata as I see appropriate. We’ve done one TPRS circling so far. Sometimes I read a Chinese picture book to them instead. Sometimes we go over flashcards, sing/learn a Chinese song/poem, or do a game/activity in Chinese. I usually save the game/activity for a "fun" break/ending when Brooks is getting antsy or uncooperative.
When Brooks is off doing his own thing (sometimes Chinese-related, sometimes hula-hooping a few meters away while listening), I focus on River who needs more Chinese repetitions anyway. Thankfully, River still doesn't find the books childish*.
* I told him that my reading level is at Chinese children's books (really a bit worse because I probably only have ~20% of a native Chinese kid's vocabulary).
☆ 07/100 moments in multiples of 50 words
My tentative lesson map:
( Read more... )
List of the 40 book titles: ( Read more... )
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