roles

Planners
English Blast parents are responsible as a
group for planning each EB term (about
twelve weeks). Planners:

		brainstorm ideas with children
		select which ideas to turn into Units
		of Inquiry for the next term
		determine who will teach what units,
		the general focus of the unit and the number of weeks for a unit
		decide which parents will work with
		which age groups during Language Skills
		decide which tasks team teachers
		will delegate to other parents during their units of inquiry

Teachers
English Blast parents share teaching
responsibilities and participate in creating
and team-teaching Units of Inquiry.
Parents also teach Language Skills.
Pairing native English speakers with non-
native speakers for team teaching often
works well. Prior knowledge of a subject
area is not necessary in order to create a
Unit of Inquiry. English Blast teachers:

		collaborate to design units of inquiry
		provide all parents with a simple
		plan of the unit
		delegate tasks to other parents
		prepare materials for teaching
		lead each class during the Unit of
		Inquiry
		teach Language Skills
		model a rich use of language
		praise and encourage the children

Learning Guides
All English Blast parents participate in each class and at home as learning guides.
They:

		guide children at home in doing
		homework and research
		help children discover topics for
		research
		assist with team tasks during class
		act as prompts to help children solve
		problems or generate ideas

Model Learners
All parents participate in all units as active
and enthusiastic learners. They:

		participate in all units as interested
		and motivated learners
		model how to query and be inquirers
		show children curiosity
		bring enthusiasm to all units
		encompassing a wide range of topics
		model good learning by avoiding
		chatting with other parents or engaging in other distracting activity during the class

Evaluators
All parents evaluate the program
periodically. They:

		determine what is working in the
		program and what needs to be changed
		help discover which teaching
		methods are more successful than others
		decide age groups for Language
		Skills and determine effectiveness of these groups
		gauge how much homework is
		appropriate
		discuss how parents are coping with
		the work load of planning, teaching, guidance and adjust as necessary

Learners
All English Blast children are learners. They:

		strive to develop English-language
		skills—reading, writing, speaking and understanding
		strive to acquire knowledge of global
		and local importance through themed units of inquiry

Idea Generators/Thinkers
English Blast children are idea generators/
thinkers. They:

		brainstorm themed unit ideas
		take responsibility for work relating to
		presentations
		complete Unit of Inquiry homework
		actively participate in class work

English-language Communicators
All English Blast classes are conducted entirely in English. As English-language
communicators, the children:

		share ideas
		question meaningfully
		discuss ideas with their peers and
		English Blast parents
		interact positively with others
		encourage others
		present information to others

Questioners/Inquirers
English Blast children are encouraged to develop critical thinking skills and become
thoughtful questioners and inquirers.
Children are encouraged to:

		wonder why
		develop curiosity
		conduct interviews to gain information
		conduct research by employing a
		variety of methods

Teachers
English Blast children are teachers.
Children as teachers learn to:

		give presentations, both formal and
		informal
		practice storytelling and recount
		experiences
		present book reviews and other forms
		of critical writing
		teach each other through drama
		instruct others in the class during
		Units of Inquiry