Grade 4 - Content Book (Mini)

Conversations

Thanks to globalization and the emergence of technologies, international boundaries have become blurred. English, to a high degree, is a commonly understood medium of communication. It is one of the key tools that students need to perform well today and in the future. According to a global study, while recruiting, 98.5% of employers implicitly or explicitly assess a candidate’s English communication skills! There is therefore a growing demand for English communication skills, because it empowers people and enables them to lead a better life.

Functional communication skills, involving aspects of LSRW (listening, speaking, reading and writing), are central to knowledge acquisition, children’s intellectual, social and emotional growth, and life-long learning.

Specifically, strong listening and speaking skills are not only vital in the overall language learning process, but also lead to better reading and writing skills. Yet, these foundational skills tend to be neglected in schools due to the high pupil-teacher ratio, lack of oral language-focused assessment, and most importantly, a lack of systematic and allocated practice time for these skills within the classroom.

Aligned with NEP 2020, NCERT learning outcomes and standardized to CEFR (Common European Framework for Reference) levels, Uolo Speak is a hybrid learning program that focuses on building, applying, practising, and assessing these core language skills.

First, through this book as one of the components of the program, the English classroom becomes an avenue to hone functional speaking skills in real time. The teacher-led activities give learners the opportunity to undertake high-quality, level-appropriate, and experiential activities that help to build confidence and expression in English.

Second, the mobile interface of the product ensures consistent practice of functional LSRW skills. These exercises go beyond traditional question types and employ cutting-edge technology to enable learning and generate instant feedback. For instance, learners practise speaking with Al (artificial intelligence), as if conversing with a real person!

Third, Uolo Speak assessment can be conducted by the school in sync with their academic calendars. The assessment is evaluated by Uolo’s English specialists to give performance report and feedback.

Finally, the reporting methodology used in the above three program components, generates a skill growth chart against CEFR levels for each learner, class and the school. Educators can then clearly identify learners who are reaching, meeting, and exceeding the level requirements, and support them accordingly.

Uolo Speak is a powerful, exciting, and unique experience for learners and teachers. It represents a real life and results-oriented approach to develop essential 21st century functional English skills.

Wishing all teachers, parents, and learners lots of fun and joyful experiences as you embark upon this exciting journey with Uolo Speak.

Dr Laraine O'Connell

D. Litt., English, North West University, South Africa

I am a veteran English teacher and lecturer, with a great love for English and for teaching. I have taught English and trained teachers over many years. I live in South Africa and it is a wonderful experience working with a company promoting the learning of English in India.

Walkthrough

Each chapter is divided into three sections - Part A, E-Speak, Part B.

Part A is period 1. It has one text and one classroom activity.

Text

E-Speak section has two mobile app projects. These projects can be done at home or in school.

Part B is period 2. It has one fun activity and one presentation task.

Let’s Imagine Chapter 1

Chapter number and name

Animation video

Keywords

Types of Activities

Work alone Work in pairs Work in groups

Teacher does the activity with learners

Chapter Outcomes

Chapter No. Chapter Name Big Skill

Listening Speaking Competencies

1 Let’s Imagine Imaginations Enjoy imaginative poems and stories Share imaginations and creative thoughts in brief

2 Fun with Riddles Using language for fun Comprehend and solve short riddles Ask riddles with appropriate body language and expression

3 Hello, Attention Please! Making announcements Identify key details from an announcement Make short announcements

Let’s Imagine

Speak on the Spot

Boost your speaking!

What a Fun Poem!

Close your eyes and think for a minute! What did you like the most about the poem? Share with the class.

soar high and high play together

dream have fun

friendship between Baani and Balloon travel to the moon

E-Speak

Practise at home!

Baani’s Dream World!

Listen to Baani’s funny dream as she travels with her Balloon to meet the Sun! Then read it aloud with expression and record it.

Project 1 Project 2

A New Friend

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have a toy as a friend? Talk to your Uolo Buddy to discuss your ideas!

Fun with Riddles

Birthday Riddles

All the kids clapped when Atul took a deep breath and blew out all the candles on the birthday cake! “Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday!” his friends chanted.  Adi stepped forward. “Now, do you want a birthday present?”

“Yes, of course,” laughed Atul. “Haha! You will have to solve a few riddles for that. Zeenat, read the first one,” said Adi. “Pull me out, and there you’ll see, Steel or silver pieces placed in me. Pointed, sharp, round, or blunt They are tools to eat with.

What am I?”

“Ah, it is the cutlery drawer!” Atul called out excitedly and ran to the cupboard. He pulled out the drawer, thinking he would find his present. His face fell. “Another riddle!”

“I have four legs, and I can be slanting or straight.

My basic job is to support some weight.

What am I?”

Atul looked around. “It’s a chair: It has four legs. It can have a slanting back or a straight one, and it does support our weight when we sit on it!”

He started picking up the cushions on the chairs one by one. Oh, dear! There it was, another riddle!

“I am always comfortable and large in most cases,  Soft above and hard at the bases.

But be careful; there might be some dust to be seen!  What am I?”

“The sofa!” yelled Atul. “Of course, it’s comfortable and large and gets dusty too.” He dropped to his knees and looked under the sofa. There it was a beautifully wrapped flat box! He pulled it out and quickly unwrapped it. He was stunned. It was a computer game, the latest! His friends cheered and laughed, “Happy Birthday, Atul! We hope you liked the present!”

blunt (bluhnt): without a sharp edge or point chanted (chaan.tuhd): sang or shouted the same words many times cutlery (kuht.luh.ree): knives, forks, and spoons used for eating food stunned (stuhnd): very surprised or shocked

Speak on the Spot

Boost your speaking!

Guess the Object

Listen to the riddles. Repeat them aloud. Guess the answers.

Riddles

I fill the room with colour on your birthday. If I am let loose, I will fly away. I am a…

I am not a bird, but I can fly. Children say bye-bye when they see me in the sky. I am an…

I can close big doors with my strong arms. You need a key to open me fast. I am a…

I have two hands that show the time. You can find my face on your favourite wall. I am a…

To play with me, beat me with sticks. And I promise I won’t cry. I am a…

I am a piece of jewellery worn around the neck. Gold or silver, I always glitter! I am a…

E-Speak

Practise at home!

What Am I?

Listen to Alisha’s riddle about what she likes to collect.

My Favourite Riddle

Share your favourite riddle. Speak with expressions.

Animal Riddles

Match the riddle with the correct animal.

I am an animal with a long trunk. And I am too big to be in your house. Who am I?

My fur is white, and I love to hop. When I see a carrot, I don’t stop. Who am I?

I live on trees with falling leaves. You will find me always near the nuts. Who am I?

My name starts with the letter ‘Z’. I have stripes that make me look pretty. Who am I?

Write: Write a short riddle for the object you chose. Ask an elder to help you with difficult words.

I am . (tell what the object looks like)

People use me to . (tell what it is used for)

Who am I?

I am a/an . (tell the object’s name)

Practise: Practise asking the riddle to your family members. Say the riddle with lots of expressions!

Present: Ask your riddle to your classmates. Ask them to guess the answer. 4

Say only the first three lines of the riddle. Let some of your friends guess the answer. Finally, tell the correct answer.

Star

Write your friend’s name Write your friend’s name Write your friend’s name

Hello, Attention Please!

Speak on the Spot

Boost your speaking!

Let’s Travel

Listen to the announcements again. Answer the questions your teacher asks.

“14646 Shalimar Express from Delhi to Jaipur is going to arrive at platform 6.”

The train number…

The train’s name… The train is going from… The train will arrive at platform…

“Attention, please. 04706 Jaipur Super Special has been delayed by one hour.”

The train number…

The train’s name… The train has been delayed by…

“Attention, please. The platform for train no. 14646 Shalimar Express from Delhi to Jaipur has been changed. The train will now arrive at platform 3.”

The train number…

The train’s name… The train is going from… The train will arrive at…

Speak in complete sentences. Request the teacher to repeat the announcement, if needed.

E-Speak

Practise at home!

Pilot’s Announcement

Listen to the pilot’s announcement. Then, record it with expression.

Announcement Time

You have to make an announcement in your class about a drawing competition. Tell your class about the date and topic of the competition.

Spot the Difference

Circle any FOUR differences between the two pictures.

The final show!

Attention Everyone

Prepare an announcement for an event in your school. Practise saying it aloud. Finally, announce it in the classroom. Tick

Write: Complete the announcement.

(the event you chose) (who can participate) (a teacher’s name)

(day of the event) (list of things needed for the event)

Attention, please! Our school is organising a/an on . This is for grades to . You need to bring , , and . For any other details, please talk to Ma’am/Sir. Thank you!

Practise: Now, practise saying the announcement in front of your family.

Present: In the class, announce this in front of your friends.

Speak loudly and clearly. Speak with expression.

About this book

This “Conversations” book follows a unique spiraling approach that systematically builds language skills and enables children to express themselves verbally in real-world situations, thus preparing them for the needs of the 21st century world. Each chapter focuses on building specific and age-appropriate English language competencies and weaves together activities that are contextual, experiential, joyful and research-based.

Special features of this book:

• Activities based Learning: joyful and experiential activities that build English communication competencies.

• Texts as per NEP 2020 themes: exciting and stimulating texts that pave the way for English communication activities.

• Tech Integration: the book works in sync with the digital world, where various other activities and projects are undertaken. Learner outputs are evaluated through an AI-based speech recognition engine.

• Assessment of Speaking & Listening as per CEFR: the program includes special assessments that allow systematic reporting of skill growth as per the CEFR.

About Uolo

Uolo partners with K12 schools to provide technology-based learning programs. We believe pedagogy and technology must come together to deliver scalable learning experiences that generate measurable outcomes. Uolo is trusted by over 8,000 schools with more than 3 million learners across India, South East Asia, and the Middle East.

• Teachers’ Manual: the book is complemented by the Teachers’ Manual that enables teachers to conduct each session effectively. hello@uolo.com

Singapore | Gurugram | Bengaluru