“It's so versatile and fun. Children take control of their own learning!”
Why use the Blox Zone?
For languages in particular, the Blox Zone offers the junior learner a positive and valuable start in learning a second or subsequent language. Children using the curriculum will develop communicative skills and fluency at their own individual pace, and in a fun way.
The blox themselves are a tool for learning a language and developing language learning skills. When using the blox with the various activities in this manual and/or linking the blox with our digital resources, learners are given multiple opportunities to use all the language senses: to read, write, listen and speak the language they are learning. The senses are even further helped with numerous illustrations for a visual reinforcement of the words and phrases. The overall programme has three distinct modules:
Module 1: ‘Lift Off!’
Module 2: ‘In My Stride!’
Module 3: ‘Whiz-bang, I get it!’
The above modules were given informal titles to emphasise the fun nature of the product. Each module contains five units. These units are titled a little more formally, in keeping with the topics at hand. See the curriculum sequence section for a detailed breakdown of the programme.
Can you tell me more about the actual blox?
Each high quality wooden block consists of the following dimensions: 10cm x 5cm x 2.4cm. The 10cm x 5cm face is designed to accommodate the word/phrase and where necessary, an accompanying illustration. The opposite 10cm by 5cm side is a blackboard face offering a wide variety of opportunities to practice writing and spelling, project work and art. The sample you see below is a model Circus Maximus from ancient Rome. Note the turned up blocks from the French alphabet, numbers and on the blackboard side artwork illustrating a race horse and chariot from Roman times.
It is important to note the order of progression as this is key in the child’s language learning experience. Language learned from previous topics is constantly recycled in various contexts. Each unit encompasses its own vocabulary and demonstrates how pre-learned content is re-used and recycled.
It is important to note that the vocabulary for each unit is not exhaustive, as this could prove difficult for learners of this age group.
The curriculum is, however, extensive enough for the junior learner to foster use of the language in their own environment on a day-to-day basis.
We recommend that you teach 6 – 8 blox in each session with the child.
This gives ample opportunity for the child to learn. The more you practice with the child, the more effective and quicker the understanding. For example, you might run through a whole unit over several sessions. Mix them up so that you present a different 6 – 8 blox as you run through the unit again. This will help to reinforce the learning while also reducing the risk of appearing repetitive.
You will find a host of games and activities in addition to a range of print resources, which together, offer hours and hours of further learning and enjoyment.
As a blended programme, the audio resources complementing the Blox Zone are critical learning resources. Certainly in the early sessions with the child, it may be a good idea to playback the translation included in the programme to help the learner make associations.
We strongly recommend that you take advantage of these resources as an essential part of the learning process. It is all part of the same programme we developed. As our case studies demonstrated, retention over a period of time is maximised if the kids learn, practice and revise using the full range of available sources.
