For Callan’s Beginner Essentials:
Other Teachers’ Commentary:
“I am really appreciating your book. It builds on some basics in a gradual way. The pictures are simple and therein lies the genius of the pictures. The students can easily pick up on the item to be focused on. There’s no confusion–a greater possibility for success.”
—Eleanor Hyodo, Literacy Teacher, Ottawa, Canada
“I use “Canadian Holidays” and “Conversation Surveys” a lot and would certainly recommend them to other low beginner level teachers. They are awesome!”
—June McKeith, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
“I tried out your sample jigsaw on Global Warming today with two classes of teenagers (high school, 16 year olds.) It was just such a happy coincidence that this should be the sample that you put on your site and that I was in the middle of that chapter with them. Those kids usually quite hard to get to work and to keep on task (English as a foreign language is part of the mandatory curriculum here in France, and some kids hate it by the time they reach high-school), but today it went incredibly well. There was a little bit of noise, as expected, but they were at work and cooperating a good 90 percent of the time. I was delighted! Next week I’ll give them the Earth Day jigsaw to close the chapter. Et voila!”
—Erwan Kergall, Martinique, France
Testimonial for Callan’s Holiday Jigsaws 2:
Dear Nancy,
Last January I began to teach a pre-literate and low beginner class of ESL here in Saskatoon. One of the pre-literate boys who had not been very engaged thus far really began to work when we tried the Intermediate Valentine’s Jigsaw which we adapted for the literacy/beginner level by adding pictures after the underlined words. This young man only had two lines to learn but he worked very hard to do so. This fall, six and half months later, he and others were involved in a language proficiency test. I was observing the testing, and the test administrator was asking them to write down words that were being spoken. As the test became more difficult, this young man became discouraged since he could not write down the words being spoken. He looks over at me and, from six and half months ago, recites his lines from the Valentine’s day jigsaw to show to me and the tester, that he had been learning. Wow! I was totally amazed. Whether pre-beginner or intermediate, your jigsaw activities engage all the learners, help them acquire language cooperatively, and give the students a sense of self-satisfaction that has a lasting impact on them. Thanks so much for all your hard work creating these activities. They are truly invaluable.
Sincerely,
Elaine M. —Saskatchewan
“My students and I adore your books and activities, so on their behalf I would like to thank you for the relevant, fun and professionally presented materials here and for your books.”
—Stella Baker
“So far I’ve found the books to be really successful in the classroom and have adapted many of my own materials to fit this format.”
—Rachel Spence
“I love the whole series and use your jigsaws weekly.”
—Laura Butt, Saskatchewan
“It’s a very good book. [Callan’s Beginner Canada Jigsaws] made me proud to be a Canadian. I learned a few things. I could certainly see the amount of work that went into it and the pedagogical complexity behind it. You really deserve a lot of credit.”
—Barry Link, Former Editor, Vancouver Courier
If you have a story of how jigsaws have helped your ESL teaching please email your story to Nancy Callan.