Here are some ideas on TPR for our Eric, who shows us how to take our TPR game up a level. This article also appeared on the moretprs list recently:
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/moretprs/conversations/messages/145543
Eric shares:
Hi Ben –
Noting the recent interest in TPR, I will share with you what I wrote about TPR in a personal correspondence to Haiyun Lu earlier this year:
Introduction:
TPRS grew out of TPR, duh, and a lot of that TPR stuff could enhance and/or supplement our TPRS! But I’ve noticed in many TPRS teachers the same thing: the idea that picking a gesture for a structure is “TPR” and lack of training in any other uses of TPR. I am no expert. I’ve only read about it and then tried it out in my classroom. I was lucky to first read about TPR in the Realidades and Paso a Paso supplements by Karen Rowan where she includes lesson plans for TPR. I have also read “TPR More than Commands,” Michael Miller’s description of the 3-Ring Circus, and Carol Gaab’s Cuentame curriculum which has instructions for TPR. I do find it is a great way to start the year with any level and especially great with younger grades.
Of the below TPR Template I took mostly from Karen Rowan’s materials I do Model, Remove Model, Trick, Eyes Closed Comprehension Checks, Novel Commands, and some extended TPR in which I give a few kids or groups of kids a series of instructions. It’s fun to have kids be objects. With a few body parts, a few adverbs, a few good action verbs, a few places in the classroom, and “like a . . .” you can have a blast with novel commands. And you can always do some circling to get more reps.
TPR Template:
The TPR template is over from the earliest days of the forum:
https://benslavic.com/blog/forum/specific-questions/tpr-how-to-do-it/
The following process would be repeated for each new group of about 3 words. Remember, like the 3 steps of TPRS, these steps are fluid, i.e. you don’t have to do them in this order and you don’t even have to do them all. This is not “classical TPR.” Here you want to introduce the verbs in their 3rd person singular form and not as commands.
1. Gestures
a. Model
b. Delay Model
c. Remove Model
d. Trick*
2. Assess/Comprehension Check
a. Chain Commands**
b. Fist Game***
c. Barometer Check
3. Novel Commands**** (Individual-, Group-, Class-level)
4. Optional: Extended TPR (like Extended PQA – it leads into mini storytelling or extensive story asking)
Optional: 3-Ring Circus, Partner Quickshare, Illustrated Picture Dictionaries with younger elementary grades
* Like Simon Says, you say an action or a series of actions that the students act out, but the teacher often does a different action.
** The students close their eyes. You say 3 words/phrases. Then, you say “Go” and the students keep their eyes closed and act out what they can. They then wait for the teacher to tell them to open their eyes. You then call on someone who did it all right to demonstrate for the group (or the teacher models).
*** Like the Chain Commands, except eyes are open and participation is voluntary. The students make a fist. You say 3 words/phrases in a row and the students that could act it all out keep their hand in a fist. If they can’t, then they open their hand. Kids with a fist can then model.
**** This is the most fun step by far! String the words together, especially in nonsensical ways, e.g. the class puts it’s head on the floor. Hint: Be sure to teach “like a” very early on, because then you can use cognates and say things like “stands like an elephant,” and “cries like a serpent.”
Novel Commands:
Novel commands are the BEST. And I remember getting tongue tied. You get better with practice. No worries if there are moments of silence while you’re thinking. I used to plan out a few things (I made index cards) to say for each TPR word. Once you have the below, you can get a lot out of the novel commands:
•body parts – (head, foot, hand)
•adverbs – (rapidly, slowly)
•like a . . . (animals)
•action verbs (dances, looks at, walks, eats, touches etc.)
•classroom places (floor, ceiling, door)
•sizes (small, big)
•cognates (foods)
Some ideas:
•your hand dances
•the floor dances
•dance on the floor
•your hand dances on the floor
•your head dances rapidly and your hands dance slowly
•dance like an elephant
•a big head dances
The combinations are endless!!!
I have a video from last year of TPR with 6th graders.
That link brings you to my playlist and a video of 3-ring circus is #11.
Eric