The Story
"Where Did The Dinos Go?" is an engaging and humorous ESL book that takes young readers on a whimsical journey of imagination and discovery. The story revolves around the Dog family, particularly the inquisitive Dora Dog, the youngest and most curious member. One day, Dora poses a baffling question to her father, Daddy Dog: "Where did the dinosaurs go?" Daddy Dog, unsure of the answer himself, cleverly turns to Danny Dog, the family's dinosaur enthusiast, for an explanation.
As each member of the Dog family - including the knowledgeable Danny, the opinionated older sister Donna, and the ever-curious Dora, along with Daddy Dog - weighs in, the book explores a series of amusing and fantastical theories about the dinosaurs' disappearance. Their imaginative ideas range from the dinosaurs escaping to a ballet world, living in a toy world, hiding in a donut world, traveling to countries like America and Italy, to the hilarious notion that they might be masquerading among us as ducks and dolphins.
Throughout the story, vibrant and comical illustrations bring to life the family's imaginative theories, perfectly capturing the essence of a child's creativity and sense of wonder. The playful narrative, combined with the book's whimsical illustrations, provides a delightful reading experience that encourages young learners to explore the English language while indulging in their own imaginations.
"Where Did The Dinos Go?" is more than just a story about a family's humorous quest for answers; it's a celebration of curiosity, the joy of learning, and the boundless possibilities of the imagination. It's an ideal read for young ESL learners, offering them an entertaining and engaging way to develop their language skills while nurturing their creative thinking.
Week 6 Example
Included here are samples from the weekly learning materials: a section of the book in PDF format, one of the five videos, and its accompanying worksheet. These are examples from the full set, which typically includes three videos with three corresponding worksheets (and answer sheets), plus additional videos for vocabulary and the book section.
In this ESL lesson example, spaced repetition, grammar scaffolding, and Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) are seamlessly integrated into videos, story segments, and worksheets, creating a dynamic and comprehensive learning experience. The lesson revisits existing vocabulary related to nationalities, "comes from", and food, while introducing new terms about weather and locations.
The worksheets are tailored to align with Vygotsky's ZPD, offering a balanced mix of guided and independent tasks that cater to the students' current proficiency levels. As students interact with these materials, they are encouraged to apply the new vocabulary and grammatical patterns, gradually moving from structured activities to more independent language use. This multifaceted approach not only enhances language acquisition but also boosts the students' confidence, accommodating different learning styles and ensuring a well-rounded educational experience.