Props to You: Engaging Students with Teaching Props

Props can be an extremely effective way of engaging students and making lessons memorable in online English teaching, adding real-world context to lessons while helping students grasp and retain vocabulary more quickly. This article will discuss their importance, the different types of free teaching props you can use, and how best to incorporate them into your classes.

Why are props important when teaching English online?

Props play an essential role in online English teaching as they enhance lessons by making them more captivating and enjoyable for young learners. They help students comprehend and retain new words and concepts more easily while serving as visual aids. By sparking interest, teaching props encourage a love of learning. For young students in particular, props can transform a typical lesson into an adventure that sparks curiosity while creating lasting memories.

Understanding Online Teaching Props (Online TPEs)

Props used for online teaching—often referred to as teaching props—include any objects, digital or physical, that bolster an instructor's teaching process in an online environment. They could range from common household objects like books or DVDs to images and animations on screens. It is essential, however, to remember that props should always enhance a learning experience, not replace it or serve as filler.

What type of free props can I use for online English teaching?

DIY props, printable props and digital props are three main forms of free props you can utilize. DIY props can be constructed from everyday household items for an economical option; printable ones are easily found online through websites offering free stock images; while digital ones, created using tools like Google Slides or Manycam, are particularly beneficial in an online teaching environment as they can easily be shared and modified live on screen.

Types of Free Props

DIY Teaching Props

Your home can be an endless source of teaching props. A pair of socks can be turned into puppets for dialogue practice. Colored papers can be cut into shapes for teaching geometry or crafting an inexpensive board game. Old magazines are perfect for collage activities that reinforce vocabulary or themes.

Printable Teaching Props

Internet resources provide an abundance of printable teaching props. Sites such as Pixabay or Unsplash offer free stock images that can be printed as flashcards, posters, or story prompts.

Digital Teaching Props

Digital teaching props are easy to integrate into any lesson plan. Google Slides makes creating presentations with moving elements simple, while Manycam allows teachers to overlay live graphics and animations during lessons for added engagement.

Can you suggest any DIY prop ideas I can make at home?

Your home can be an endless source of teaching props. A pair of socks can easily transform into puppets for dialogue lessons. Colored papers can be cut into various shapes to teach geometry or craft an inexpensive DIY board game. And old magazines provide ample material for collage activities designed to teach vocabulary or themes.

How to Create DIY and Free Props

Use of Preexisting Household Items

Look around your home for everyday objects that can serve as teaching props. Containers are excellent for teaching math concepts, prepositions, or adjectives. Paper can be turned into a DIY whiteboard. Clothing items help introduce vocabulary about seasons or weather, while coins and bills are useful for lessons on money, counting, and comparisons. Food items can also introduce lessons on healthy eating, sequencing, colors, and sizes.

Utilising Pinterest for DIY Projects

Pinterest is a great resource for DIY teaching props. Search specific keywords or browse educational boards to find creative inspiration.

Exploiting Everyday Objects Creatively

Reduce reliance on traditional teaching materials by making use of nontraditional ones instead. A spatula could serve as an easy pointer, while a hat could serve as a prop during role-play, and using a mirror could allow for the exploration of reflections and opposites.

Generating Props to Complement Teaching Instructions

Before creating props for lessons, carefully consider their objectives. Your props should serve a purpose and enhance learning experiences rather than detracting from them.

Five Free Props Found at Home

As was mentioned previously, some of the best props are items found around your own home - containers, paper, clothing, money and food are all fantastic options that can be utilized in various lessons.

What should I keep in mind when using props in my online English classes?

Props can be an invaluable addition to a lesson, but they shouldn't overtake it. Remember that their purpose is simply to support and augment teaching; not replace it! Don't hesitate to be creative when using or creating props; keep the focus on meeting learning objectives instead!

Props can transform your online English lessons, making them more engaging, fun, and memorable for both you and your students. Although incorporating teaching props requires creativity and planning, the benefits far outweigh the effort. So go ahead—experiment with free teaching props and make your classes come alive!