ELF Module 1 – Bodies

Introductory Group Working Skills

During ELF module 1 we set the tone for the sessions. This includes discussions about how to work in a group together with their peers. In 2019 this will include working through We Thinkers 1 from Social Thinking by Michelle Garcia Winner. We Thinker Module 1 covers the skills of:

1. Thinking Thoughts and Feeling Feelings
2. The Group Plan
3. Thinking with your eyes
4. Body in the group
5. Whole Body Listening.

On the website you can sign in and watch free training on these concepts.

Social Thinking Website

Learning Activities

The ELF lessons in Module 1 set the foundation for many concepts explored in ELF.

1. Name body parts/ Simon Says – this is a listening activity. The activity is extended from just “Simon Says touch your nose” to “Simon Says tap your knees” and “Simon Says wiggle your fingers”.
2. Distinguishing between a sound and a word. The students are asked to indicate body parts and no action for a sound. So nose is a word so they touch their nose, ?t? is a sound so no action.
3. Parts of the mouth – students explore the different parts of their mouth which are used to make sounds: teeth, lips, tongue.
4. Introduction to syllables – students jump out the syllables in words. We teach students to feel syllables by placing their hand under their jaw. Each time the jaw drops it is a syllable. Here is a game to practice syllables Syllable games
5.  Introduction to rhyming – students identify is a pair of words rhyme or not. Here is a game to practice Rhyming bingo
6. Handwriting -children complete tracing activities to develop correct pencil grip and control.
7. Handwriting – teachers read the book Casey Caterpillar to the students to provide a foundation for the formation of letters. We identify head, tail and body parts of letters.
8. Alphabet – say the alphabet in order, be aware of l m n o p clarity.
9. Language development – teachers read books to the students and discuss the content using Blanks Questions as a basis to extend language and vocabulary. Training in Blanks Questions is available at Blanks Questions Training
10. Days of the week – recite in order. Days of the week song
11. Write their name. The students initially trace the letter and learn where to place the letters on the red and blue lines. For many  students they have not been exposed to red and blue lines in Prep so this is a good introduction and will be built on in later sessions.
12. Sight words – students are exposed to and play games focusing on the Gold words from Magic Words

Details of how to form the letters and place them on the red and blue lines can be found here.