Soledad Grosso,
Using sounds is an excellent way of teaching, because not all Students respond positively to written words.
Some Students are thinkers, some are doers; some are writers; some are readers; some are musicians; some are artists; some are actors; some are dancers; some are leaders; and some are followers.
And there are many Students who are listeners.
If you have a Lesson which incorporates several aspects of these mental processes, you have a much better chance of successfully triggering messages to the brain of the Student. By stimulating different parts of the brain with the same message, but delivered in a variety of different forms, the Teacher will have a much greater chance of success, compared to repeatedly delivering the message in the same boring fashion, again and again.
To put it very simnply --- as a Student, which Lesson do you prefer?
A Lesson that has Colour, Movement, Light, Dark, Voices, Music, Sizes, Shapes, Actions, Words, Pictures, etc.
OR
A Lesson that has one format, which is Repeated, Repeated, Repeated, Repeated, Repeated, Repeated, etc.
I know what I prefer, and I know what my Students prefer.
At the beginning of the year, in the first Lesson, I blindfold a volunteer Student. I ask the Class to remain silent. (Before beginning, take careful note of Health and Safety).
Then I ask the Volunteer to say the first word that comes into his/her head, when I say: "Now!"
One-at-a-time, I put a variety of different articles into the Volunteers hand, and say: "Now!"
The Student feels and says: "Mobile; Cassette; Coin; Pen; etc".
I make a variety of sounds, and say: "Now!"
The Student listens and says: "Keys; Coins; Bell; Whistle: etc".
I give the Student a variety of foods, and say: "Now!"
The Student tastes and says: "Sugar; Coffee; Chocolate; Orange Juice: etc".
I blow on the Student �s hand --- "Wind!"
I light a match, way below the Student �s hand --- "Fire!"
I spray perfume on my hand and let him smell it --- "Smell - Perfume!"
I shine a torch on the Student �s covered eyes --- "Light!"
I do all these things to prove that WE LEARN WITH OUR WHOLE BODY.
Three �Sound Games �
1) Behind a screen, (or with a Recorder), the Teacher makes 10 Sounds. Students must write the name of the Sound.
2) (With a Recorder), the Teacher makes 10 Animal Sounds. Students must write the name of the Animal.
3) (With a Recorder), the Teacher makes a series of Sounds, without pause --- "Footsteps; Door; Stairs; Conversation; Drinks; Scream; Running Footsteps; Car; Screech of Brakes; Crash". Students must write a story, based on the Sounds. (Once Teacher has the Recording, it can be used for the next Class.)
I hope that I have helped.
Les
