Learning Blocks

Building anything requires a deliberate consistent effort. In other words, it takes some time to actually build understanding on any subject.

It is not a surprise then that a child goes through a period of time, to acquire knowledge and understanding in various subjects. This is because every new knowledge is building on a previous understanding.

Skipping any process in the academic milestones, is detrimental to the mental development of any child. This is the reason why most kids struggle in their present classes. While it is expected that they should have certain knowledge having spent some time in school, the reverse most times is the case, as we keep having students who are struggling.

How do we solve this problem then? It brings me back to the topic: let every new understanding build on the previous, that way, a child goes through a clear process of acquiring knowledge gradually until full understanding is established.

I would like to use the example of teaching grammar across the grades:

Year 1: A noun as a naming word, with examples and how to use them.

Proper and common nouns, with examples on how to use them

Year 2: Types of Nouns: Countable, uncountable, abstract and collective, nouns with examples

Singular and plural nouns, with their rules.

Year3:  Forming sentences with types of Nouns.

Replacing nouns with pronouns.

Using adjectives to describe nouns, with examples in sentences.

Year 4: Using comparison of adjectives to describe nouns with examples

Introduction to noun phrase

Year 5. Adding suffixes to root  words to form abstract nouns ending with  ‘ness’,  ‘ment’, ‘tion’

Forming abstract nouns from verbs: (correct, invent, teach,)

Year 6: Relating nouns with other parts of speech.

John(noun) is a good(adjective) boy. He lives (verb) with his(pronoun) family in a small town. John responds quickly(adverb) when given a task. This is because (conjunction) he doesn’t like to fail. He finds his way into (preposition) people’s heart by making them happy. oh!(interjection) what a unique boy he is.

Differentiating nouns from other parts of speech.

I strongly believe that working any learner through these stages of understanding the subject of a noun, would reduce the challenges in understanding the topic.

 

 

 

 

Teach the Concept

Meeting learners' need is a strong motivator in achieving set out goals in teaching. As a result, teachers should be intentional in delivering their content to ensure that every learner’s need is met at the end of the day.

This is why a focus on the various concepts of topics should be drilled in learners. Until your students understand a given concept, they have not really gotten it, and cannot apply it.

Teaching some topics on parts of speech, like nouns, adjectives and verbs, would require that learners grasp an understanding of the major concepts of these topics, to be able to use them effectively.

A noun is not to be taught as the name of a person, animal, place or thing, but as a ‘naming word ‘ that is, a word that names a person, animal, place, or thing. The same way an adjective should be viewed as a describing word, and a verb, a doing word.

Once the concept is established, it is easier for learners to identify these parts of speech in writing and would be able to use them correctly.

The next step is how to achieve this. I would suggest that this is taught in three steps:

1.      1. Teach the concept

2.      2. Create activities that help learners identify the  concepts

3.     3.  Use the concept in speaking or writing

If your objective at the end of the day is to make your students apply knowledge, then you must teach the concept, and allow them relate them to real life.