The Forum Journal · Grade 1–2

16-Session Workbook

Grade 1 and Grade 2 learn together in one class. One page gets prepared before each class. Look at the picture and sentence frame first, learn the words, fill in the blanks, then speak in class. Use it in class, then open it again once at home.

Every session gets a short KakaoTalk update. Sessions 1, 8 and 16 also include a growth recording; Sessions 8 and 16 come with a full growth report and a short presentation.

Children who are newer to English can complete just the first blank of each sentence frame. Children who are a little further along add the reason or comparison clause too — look for the Tier note under each frame.

Session 1

My Neighborhood

Growth Record

"I see a ___. It is ___ and ___."

Tier: newer learners can stop at "I see a ___." Further-along learners add both describing words.

Before class: think of one thing you see near your home, and be ready to say its name.

This week's 10 words
housea building people live instreeta road with houses along itparkan outdoor place with grass to play inschoola place where you learnstorea place that sells thingslibrarya place full of books to borrowbusyfull of people or activityquietwith little noisefarnot closenearclose by
Writing practice

I see a  . It is   and  .

At home: On the way home, ask your child to name one thing they see, using "I see a ___."

Session 2

Inside My Backpack

"I see a ___. It is ___ and ___."

Before class: think of one thing in your backpack, and be ready to say its name.

This week's 10 words
backpacka bag you carry on your backbookpages with words to readpencil casea small bag for pencils and penserasersomething that removes pencil marksrulera straight tool for measuringnotebooka book for writing inwater bottlea bottle for carrying waterheavyweighs a lotlightdoes not weigh muchmessynot neat; untidy
Writing practice

I see a  . It is   and  .

At home: Ask them to describe something in their backpack in English.

Session 2 Vocabulary Check

Sessions 1–2

Read the meaning, then write the matching word on the blank.

Session 1 · My Neighborhood

a building people live in
a road with houses along it
an outdoor place with grass to play in
a place where you learn
close by
not close

Session 2 · Inside My Backpack

a bag you carry on your back
a straight tool for measuring
weighs a lot
not neat; untidy
Session 3

Favorite Clothes

"I see a ___. It is ___ and ___."

Before class: think of one piece of clothing you like, and be ready to say its name.

This week's 10 words
shirta piece of clothing for your top halfpantsclothing that covers your legsdressa one-piece piece of clothingjacketa piece of clothing worn over a shirtshoeswhat you wear on your feetcolorfulfull of bright colorscomfortablepleasant to wear or usefavoriteliked the mostsoftgentle to touch, not hardnewnot used before
Writing practice

I see a  . It is   and  .

At home: Ask them to say one English sentence about what they're wearing today.

Session 4

Pets and Favorite Animals

"I see a ___. It is ___ and ___."

Before class: think of your favorite animal, and be ready to say its name.

This week's 10 words
doga common pet animal that barkscata common pet animal that meowsfishan animal that lives and swims in waterbirdan animal that flies and has feathersrabbita small animal with long earspetan animal you keep and care forcutepleasant and sweet to look atfriendlykind and easy to likecareto look after somethingloveto like very much
Writing practice

I see a  . It is   and  .

At home: Ask them to introduce their favorite animal in English.

Session 5

Summer vs Winter

"A is ___, but B is ___. I like ___ more."

Tier: newer learners can stop at "I like ___ more." Further-along learners complete the full comparison.

Before class: think about whether you like summer or winter more.

This week's 10 words
summerthe hottest season of the yearwinterthe coldest season of the yearhothaving a high temperaturecoldhaving a low temperatureswimto move through waterbeachsand next to the seasnowsoft white flakes that fall in wintersunnybright with sunshinepreferto like one thing more than anothermorea greater amount
Writing practice

  is  , but   is  . I like   more.

At home: Ask in English whether they like summer or winter more.

Session 6

School Lunch vs Home Cooking

"A is ___, but B is ___. I like ___ more."

Before class: think about whether you like school lunch or home cooking more.

This week's 10 words
school lunchthe meal served at schoolhome cookingfood made at hometastygood to eathealthygood for your bodysimpleeasy, not complicatedpreferto like one thing more than anothermealfood eaten at one timefavoriteliked the mosttryto taste or test something newbettermore good than another
Writing practice

  is  , but   is  . I like   more.

At home: Ask which was tastier today — the school lunch or home cooking.

Session 6 Vocabulary Check

Sessions 3–6

Read the meaning, then write the matching word on the blank.

Session 3 · Favorite Clothes

clothing that covers your legs
a piece of clothing worn over a shirt
full of bright colors
gentle to touch, not hard

Session 4 · Pets and Favorite Animals

a small animal with long ears
an animal you keep and care for
pleasant and sweet to look at
to look after something

Session 5 · Summer vs Winter

the hottest season of the year
to move through water
to like one thing more than another

Session 6 · School Lunch vs Home Cooking

good for your body
easy, not complicated
more good than another
Session 7

Soccer vs Reading

"A is ___, but B is ___. I like ___ more."

Before class: think about whether you like soccer or reading more.

This week's 10 words
soccera sport played by kicking a ballreadinglooking at and understanding wordsactivefull of energy and movementquietwith little noiseteama group that plays togetherexcitingmaking you feel very interestedcalmquiet and peacefulexerciseactivity that keeps your body healthyfunenjoyablerelaxto rest and feel calm
Writing practice

  is  , but   is  . I like   more.

At home: Ask them to say in English whether they like soccer or reading more.

Session 8

Introducing My Favorite Thing

PresentationGrowth RecordParent Report

Speak for about 30 seconds using the comparing frame, then answer one question from the teacher.

Tier: newer learners name their favorite and point to a picture; further-along learners add "because ___."

Before class: decide your favorite thing from this block, and practice saying why once at home.

This week's 10 words
compareto see how two things differpreferto like one thing more than anotherbecausefor the reason thatreasonwhy something happensfavoriteliked the mostexplainto make something clearquestionsomething you askanswera reply to a questionconfidentsure of yourselfproudpleased about something you did
Writing practice

I like   more than   because  .

At home: Listen once more to their practice introducing their favorite thing.

Session 9

My Favorite Book or Story

"I like ___ because ___."

Tier: newer learners can stop at "I like ___." Further-along learners add "because ___."

Before class: think of your favorite book or story, and why you like it.

This week's 10 words
storyan account of events, real or made upbookpages with words to readcharactera person in a storyadventurean exciting journey or experiencefunnymaking you laughexcitingmaking you feel very interestedfavoriteliked the mostbecausefor the reason thatreadto look at and understand wordsenjoyto get pleasure from
Writing practice

I like   because  .

At home: Listen to a short telling of their favorite book, in English.

Session 10

My Favorite Holiday

"I like ___ because ___."

Before class: think of your favorite holiday, and why you like it.

This week's 10 words
holidaya special day for celebratingcelebrateto do something special for an eventfamilythe people you're related totraditionsomething a family or culture always doesfoodwhat people eatgiftsomething given to someonefavoriteliked the mostbecausefor the reason thatspecialnot ordinary; importanthappyfeeling good
Writing practice

I like   because  .

At home: Ask in English what their favorite holiday is.

Session 10 Vocabulary Check

Sessions 7–10

Read the meaning, then write the matching word on the blank.

Session 7 · Soccer vs Reading

full of energy and movement
a group that plays together
activity that keeps your body healthy

Session 8 · Introducing My Favorite Thing

to see how two things differ
why something happens
sure of yourself

Session 9 · My Favorite Book or Story

an account of events, real or made up
a person in a story
an exciting journey or experience

Session 10 · My Favorite Holiday

something a family or culture always does
something given to someone
not ordinary; important
Session 11

My Favorite Subject

"I like ___ because ___."

Before class: think of your favorite school subject, and why you like it.

This week's 10 words
subjecta topic you study at schoolmaththe subject of numberssciencethe subject of how things workartthe subject of drawing and making thingsmusicthe subject of songs and soundEnglishthe subject of the English languagefavoriteliked the mostbecausefor the reason thateasysimple to doharddifficult to do
Writing practice

I like   because  .

At home: Ask what their favorite subject is, and why, in English.

Session 12

My Favorite Weekend Activity

"I like ___ because ___."

Before class: think of what you want to do this weekend, and why.

This week's 10 words
weekendSaturday and Sundayactivitysomething you do for fun or exerciseplayto have fun doing somethingrelaxto rest and feel calmmoviea film you watchgamesomething fun you playfavoriteliked the mostbecausefor the reason thatfunenjoyablefriendsomeone you like and spend time with
Writing practice

I like   because  .

At home: Ask them to say in English what they want to do this weekend.

Session 13

The Place I Most Want to Visit

Giving a reason, then answering a follow-up question

Tier: newer learners answer the teacher's question with one word; further-along learners answer in a full sentence.

Before class: think of one place you want to visit, and why.

This week's 10 words
placea location, somewheretravelto go from one place to anothercountrya nation with its own land and governmentbeachsand next to the seamountaina very tall, steep hillcitya large townwantto wish to have or dobecausefor the reason thatfarnot closeexcitingmaking you feel very interested
Writing practice

I want to go to   because  .

(For a follow-up question) If the teacher asks "Why?", I can say:  .

At home: Ask in English where they want to go, and why.

Session 14

The Animal I Most Want to Have

Giving a reason, then answering a follow-up question

Before class: think of one animal you want to have, and why.

This week's 10 words
petan animal you keep and care fordoga common pet animal that barkscata common pet animal that meowsrabbita small animal with long earsbirdan animal that flies and has feathersfishan animal that lives and swims in waterwantto wish to have or dobecausefor the reason thatcareto look after somethingcutepleasant and sweet to look at
Writing practice

I want to have a   because  .

(For a follow-up question) If the teacher asks "Why?", I can say:  .

At home: Ask in English what animal they want to have, and why.

Session 14 Vocabulary Check

Sessions 11–14

Read the meaning, then write the matching word on the blank.

Session 11 · My Favorite Subject

a topic you study at school
simple to do
difficult to do

Session 12 · My Favorite Weekend Activity

something you do for fun or exercise
Saturday and Sunday
someone you like and spend time with

Session 13 · The Place I Most Want to Visit

a nation with its own land and government
a very tall, steep hill
to go from one place to another

Session 14 · The Animal I Most Want to Have

an animal you keep and care for
a small animal with long ears
to look after something
Session 15

The Thing I Most Want to Try

Presentation prep — checking your sentence frames

Before class: practice saying your Session 16 presentation out loud once at home.

This week's 10 words
practiceto do something again to get betterprepareto get readyrememberto keep in your mindspeak clearlyto talk so others can understand easilyconfidentsure of yourselfquestionsomething you askanswera reply to a questiontryto taste or test something newreadyprepared to do somethingcalmquiet and peaceful
Presentation outline practice

What I'll introduce:  

Reason:  

Closing sentence:  

At home: Listen to their presentation practice once, and clap for them.

Session 16

What I Want to Do, and Why

PresentationGrowth RecordParent Report

Presentation, then answering one question from the teacher

Tier: newer learners present 2 connected sentences; further-along learners present 3–4.

This week's 10 words
favoriteliked the mostbecausefor the reason thatreasonwhy something happensexplainto make something clearquestionsomething you askanswera reply to a questionconfidentsure of yourselfproudpleased about something you didfinishto complete somethingfriendsomeone you like and spend time with
Final presentation writing practice

My favorite thing is  . I like it because  .

At home: Ask them to show the family their finished presentation.

Writing Examples

One example for each sentence frame

These use different topics than your own sentences, just to show how each frame sounds.

Describing

"I see a ___. It is ___ and ___."

I see a slide. It is tall and colorful.

Comparing

"A is ___, but B is ___. I like ___ more."

A bike is fast, but a scooter is light. I like a scooter more.

Giving a reason

"I like ___ because ___."

I like lions because they are strong.

Wanting something

"I want to ___ because ___."

I want to learn to swim because it looks fun. If the teacher asks "Why?", I can say: swimming is good exercise too.

Answer Key (for teachers and parents)

Keep this page away from students.

Sessions 1–2 check

Session 1: house, street, park, school, near, far

Session 2: backpack, ruler, heavy, messy

Sessions 3–6 check

Session 3: pants, jacket, colorful, soft

Session 4: rabbit, pet, cute, care

Session 5: summer, swim, prefer

Session 6: healthy, simple, better

Sessions 7–10 check

Session 7: active, team, exercise

Session 8: compare, reason, confident

Session 9: story, character, adventure

Session 10: tradition, gift, special

Sessions 11–14 check

Session 11: subject, easy, hard

Session 12: activity, weekend, friend

Session 13: country, mountain, travel

Session 14: pet, rabbit, care