New Voices Coursebook – 4

Book excerpt: 1. It is a series of English Coursebooks, Workbooks and Literature Readers for classes 1 to 8. 2. Wall of Fame : At the beginning of the book is a gallery of famous authors and characters that the child will meet inside. 3. The use of Graphic Organisers, Timelines and Graphic retelling of stories help develop critical thinking and study skills in learners—two vital tools for learning. 4. Based on the NCF, the series guides learners through the seven stages of a brain-based approach to learning i.e. Pre-exposure, Preparation, Initiation & Acquisition, Elaboration, Incubation & memory encoding, verification & Confidence check, celebration & Integration. 5. The 5Ps address the above stages as follows : Ponder: aids the learners in pre-acquisition of concepts by setting the context, while preparing them to read the text with the aid of the glossary and in-text questions. Prepare: immerses the learners into the context and initiates holistic learning. It helps in the acquisition of newer perspectives through task-based activities. Practise: lays out the canvas for the stage of elaboration, in which the learners analyse and evaluate the text while applying their understanding of it. Perfect: aids memory encoding through drilling of vocabulary and grammar topics. It helps with incubation of concepts. Perform: functions as a confidence check for learners and ensures verification of their performative skills. This stage of summing up allows a functional integration of acquired concepts, leading to a celebration of learning. 6. Cross-curricular (CC) links weave references from other subjects through the chapters. 7. Task-Based Learning (TBL) activities present learners with real-life situations within the classroom. 8. Life Skills (LS) are enhanced through challenging texts and value-based concept checking questions (CCQs). 9. Tense Timelines (5-8): On the last page of the book is a graphic representation of Tenses. 10. Full page Illustrations and Double-spreads in lower classes make learning fun and interesting.