Here you can find some general tips and hints for the Patchwork Series of study-books.
JUST DO IT! – Sometimes just these three words are all that is needed before some activities, especially ‘Warm up’ and ‘Puzzle’. The students can usually figure out what to do, no need for any detailed explanations.
COLOR IS MAGIC – As these are monochrome books any addition of color is welcome. Encourage the students to use color wherever possible, not only on the illustrations, but also for underlining, highlighting, writing in the margin, etc. This can have good psychological benefits, giving the students a feeling of investment in the language.
THE MORE THE MERRIER – Have students collaborate where appropriate. It helps form bonds and strengthen confidence, and students may feel a little less uneasy when it comes to the speaking activities.
MEMORIES, LIKE THE CORNER OF MY MIND – Use the inside front and back covers as memo pages, it makes for easy reference. And encourage the use of color, shape, graphics, spidergrams, indeed anything that may be used as an aide memoire.
THE 3 Rs - Recycle, re-use, and reflect. Much of the content is recycled once, twice or even more, so the students can use and re-use the language items. There are also many chances for a little reflection, some thinking time, enabling students to better assimilate new language
