Through Gestures and Music into the World of Phonics Erasmus Project

Project Title

Through Gestures and Music into the World of Phonics

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for school education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2018

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Key Competences (incl. mathematics and literacy) – basic skills; Inclusion – equity

Project Summary

Through Gestures and Music into the world of phonics has developed, tested and implemented an innovative method of teaching phonics through signs, gestures (using British Sign Language), songs and movement to preschool and primary school children (3 to 4 years in the UK and 3 to 8 in the Czech Republic and Slovenia). It has also developed training materials and courses for Early Years practitioners and English language teachers. Project activities were targeted at early English language learning in Slovenia and the Czech Republic. In the UK the project also worked in settings with children with communication difficulties, including children whose first language is not English. However, the methods were used in additional ways than originally planned. Although using BSL signs, nurseries in Slovenia and the Czech Republic used the methods with children whose first language was not Czech or Slovenian (or English) as a bridge between languages. The methods were used with all children in settings and evaluation showed more generally that signing, music and movement help children with communication skills at a time when lockdowns and increased screen time has made this an important issue. In Slovenia, the project has included language teachers in formal education between the ages of 6 and 8.
The methodology teaches phonics stage 1 (phonological awareness) and stage 2 (Introduction to phonics) and includes listening walks, action songs, learning rhymes and learning the most common single letter and 20 sounds supported by gestures and music. Using gestures and music within the teaching of phonics for young children keeps them engaged and focused on the teacher to get information. This method of teaching improves confidence, memory, involvement and recall of sounds and letters.
The project has the following results
•Handbook: The guide introduces the method and and materials of how to implement early literacy skills and first phonic concepts to children through music, singing, signing and also books. The handbook is divided into two sections of theory and practice of GEM teaching concept (sections 1 and 2) followed by the examples from the implementation phase, including some of the activities and original songs. This includes short instructions for teachers of how to teach phonics to young children. The ideas of who the lessons can be structures and what to do during the lessons can be found on 20 lesson plans.
•GEM songs We have prepared 20 original Gem songs to introduce children with the first words of English writing system. The songs lead children to easily recognise the short simple familiar words with their simple pattern which later helps them to to transform individual sounds into words and the other way around.
•The GEM songs are accompanied by the song booklet. The song lyrics are also accompanied by engaging illustrations with the sign symbol and visual image of the song to capture the interest of children. The songs are adapted to teach children between the ages of 2 to 4 in the UK within the early years framework literacy curriculum or children between the ages of 2 to 8 who are learning English as a second language.
•GEM stories. Four originally written stories to introduce the relevant words to children. They are available in printed form and powerpoint
•The GEM vocabulary was prepared to purposefully teach children to start putting together their very first words and simple sentences and to link them with the print. We have prepared the vocabulary of 50 easy CVC words which don’t include any tricky blends and are very easy to remember. They are presented with the print, sign and illustration. Our songs, graphic and mini charts will all help you to reinforce the learning in a playful and meaningful way.
•Mini charts are a great tool to help children linking sounds and words with print. Our original mini charts combine delightful colour illustrations with graphics and printed words separately so that the children can play a matching game and practice rhyming, alliteration, letter sound matching and blending words Check out ideas from the lesson plans and activity videos as how to use them. They are available at our training programme. Our designer has produced 100 images for the mini charts (illustrations of gestures and first words/images and print separately which aid learning) Let me know if it needs explaining.
•Training programme: we have produced a 10 unit training programme with the aim to help the teachers to introduce GEM into their settings. It has the following units: What is GEM, About languages, Literacy in early years, GEM songs, Phonological awareness, Rhythm and rhyme, Alliteration, Phonemic awareness, GEM vocabulary and mini charts, Teaching instructions and lesson plans.
All materials are available through our project website and ELearning platform

Project Website

http://gem-erasmusplus.com/

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 108438 Eur

Project Coordinator

Language in Your Hands Ltd & Country: UK

Project Partners

• SCHOLA EMPIRICA
• GIMNAZIJA FRANCA MIKLOSICA LJUTOMER