So I've finally worked out how to teach Year 4s successfully and to get them fully engaged every lesson in my own style. They're at such a spongey and excitable age, it was hard to work out what was the best balance for engaging the students and maximise learning within a short amount of time. I have the students twice a week for 30 minutes.
Because I have full autonomy over the program in Grade 4, I have been experimenting with integrating AIM (Accelerated Integrated Method) with my usual class game activities, and TPRS.
Essentially AIM is Gesture method, but a formalised curriculum, and provides structured direction for the students to learn a full length play. I don't have access to any of these materials except what I see online, I am having a "pedagogy mashup", and throwing all these different methods into the pot, and seeing what happens.
Overall, I can perceive it to be enormously successful, especially considering I have only used it in the past 3 weeks, the Year 4s are beginning to experiment and use the language they are getting to know. They have very few pronunciation mistakes, and their comprehension is increasing. Their excited to speak, and weaker students are getting more confident (although slow going).
The current unit I have developed using International Baccalaureate PYP and the Australian Curriculum in combination is based on "How We Express Ourselves", and the students are exploring an Indonesian folk story, "Si Kancil dan Buaya". I have written a very simple script which I will eventually come back and share once I have really worked out the kinks this term.
I have found Bu Cathy's Belajar Menajar blog an inspiration for getting practical tips on how to get started on teaching TPRS. I am a big fan of Ibu Cathy, and think there is just SO MUCH to learn from her.