After moving to Kang Le Elementary, I started to create new Classkick assignments for use with the Hanlin Here We Go series. I hope to replicate the previous success at Hot Spring. New Hanlin Here We Go assignments are available below. They contain a mix of old exercises from KangHsian where applicable and new ones that specifically fit the Hanlin textbook content. Click on links below. Good luck and good teaching.
I started using Classkick, a kind of learning management system (LMS) like Sesame or Seesaw, at the beginning of the fall semester (year 111-1). Generally I don't like to use LMS with elementary school children because it adds another layer of learning : learning how to log in, learn this new LMS name and icon, and not confuse it with so many others that the kids already use, etc. I skeptically set up an account and started creating online assignments the summer before school started. Luckily, my LET also knew about Classkick, so I shared assignments with her and asked her to try it out. I tend to use Classkick in conjunction with workbooks. I collect and grade workbooks while kids are occupied on Classkick. But, I can also easily monitor kids' progress on the Classkick assignments.
After one semester I think that Classkick definitely provides useful practice for the students and may even have a beneficial effect on their productive language (speaking and writing) abilities. My LET co-teacher reports that remedial students in her class noticeably improve in spelling, grammar and sentence mechanics. I have seen some particular students in my class make noticeable gains in the same areas, although not every student shows improvement on speaking and writing sections of the 月考.
Classkick supports students' learning by serving as an opportunity for focused, self-directed learning. The students quickly zone in on their assignment pages and work with an unusual quiet diligence, as if Classkick is able to hack the tech-zombie power of iPads and use it for good instead of evil. The "view work" interface (akin to "teacher's view" in Nearpod) is easy to use and students readily notice my intervention and make quick corrections in class. Once students see that some classmates are moving rapidly, their natural competitiveness switches on, and they start trying to catch up. I also patrol the rows of desks to check for inappropriate iPad use, but Classkick is surprisingly good at keeping students engaged.
Since I am feeling fairly confident in the utility of Classkick, I've decided to share some of the assignments that I created so far. Open up a free Classkick account and then click the links to access my shared assignments. Right now we are using Hess Story.com, but in the future I will be making more assignments with content for KangHsian Wonder World.
Learn more about Classkick. Here's a promotional video on Youtube.
