This is a rough outline of a typical TweedleWink class. Each lesson is broken down into 8 parts:
- Vision
- Vocabulary
- Culture
- Music
- Reading
- Math
- Science
- Art
The class format is reminiscent to the Montessori style – new materials are introduced to the children on a mat.
What Happens in a TweedleWink Class
Class begins with the “I love you” song. It is about a parent’s love for their child and how a child that feels loved can do anything.
Part 1: Vision
- Visual stimulation with a flashing black and white image, e.g. a black and white outline of a boat.
- Teacher introduces an object which she moves around for the children to follow with their eyes.
- Eye pupils are stimulated with a penlight – three times in each eye.
Part 2: Vocabulary
- Children are introduced to words from four different categories. Each category contains ten words. Each word is accompanied with a picture.
- The session is multi-sensorial. First, the children are shown flash cards on the TV screen. Then they given an activity related to those words where they can touch objects related to the words. E.g. if the category is animals, they are shown animal figurines.
Part 3: Culture
- The children are introduced to a new country each week. They are given a card with the map of the country so they can trace the outline. They then find the country on the world map and mark it with a sticker.
- Flash cards relating to that country are shown.
- The national anthem for the country is played.
- The children are taught the words for hello, please, thank you, and goodbye in the national language.
- The children are taught to count from one to ten in the national language.
- A children’s song from that country is played.
- The children are given the opportunity to play on a fit ball while the children’s song and national anthem are playing.
Part 4: Music
- The children are introduced to one of the musical notes. They listen to the sound of that note from tuning forks. They listen to the note, then they feel the vibrations created by that note.
- A classical composer is introduced. A piece of music written by that composer is played. The children are given a physical activity to do while the music is playing.
- The children are given rhythm sticks and have to copy the rhythm played.
Part 5: Reading
- The children are introduced to a letter sound.
- They are shown words containing that letter sound and taught to read them using phonics.
- They learn to write the letter with a song.
- They are shown objects beginning with that letter on the mat.
- They are taught to read a sentence.
- A piece of literature is read out loud.
Part 6: Math
- Each week, a new Math concept is introduced. First, they begin by counting from one to one hundred (ten new numbers each week). Then addition: +1, +2, +3, +4, etc. Then subtraction: -1, -2, -3, -4, etc. Then multiplication: x1, x2, x3, x4, etc. Then division: /1, /2, /3, /4, etc.
- The children listen to a Math song that teaches them the new Math concept taught in that lesson.
- The children are given a physical activity relating to the new Math concept.
Part 7: Science
- Different science concepts are taught each week. It could be ten elements from the periodic table, how the water cycle works, parts of a tree, etc.
- It is followed by a related hands-on activity on the mat.
Part 8: Art
- A new artist is introduced each week.
- Ten pieces of art painted by the artist are shown and named.
- The children are given an art activity to do, e.g. colouring.
The lesson concludes with the TweedleWink thank you song.
Sample Lessons from TweedleWink
This video shows some of the flashcards and topics covered in a typical class at TweedleWink. A few lesson plan outlines and resource materials for home learning are available here: