Showing posts with label templates. Show all posts
Showing posts with label templates. Show all posts
Monday, April 22, 2019
TPRS / CI and Block Scheduling
*Note: Someone recently emailed me a question about using Block Scheduling. I am no expert, but I found out how to make it work for me during the 3 years that I taught on the block. Here are some ideas that hopefully are helpful below.*
A few years ago I was forced (against my will) to teach on A/B block scheduling when I was hired at a new school. I was forced because it was a bomb dropped on me after I accepted the job (if I remember things correctly). I didn't even know to ask that question in the interview! Oops!
The way that block scheduling worked at that school was 90 minute periods, 4 a day. One day was A, then next day B. Early dismissal Wednesdays A or B alternated each week. So if there were no interruptions whatsoever, then in a two week cycle, I would see each class 5 times total. (One week Monday, Wednesday, Friday and then the next week Tuesday and Thursday).
When I first started it, I hated it. Then after I left it, I sort of missed it because I could more easily see the benefits (that I was able to get out of it). Although I still believe that every day instruction is better for acquiring language (shorter more often) than a big chunk every two days.
Thursday, February 4, 2016
Foreign language and wordless comics
*Edit* Maybe I should sell this idea as a "brand new method" called "ComicTalk". Could I make millions?
My memory is a little foggy on this one, but I remember hearing once about a language (foreign or language arts?) teacher that taught a class with a book that had no words, but was a series of pictures.
That would be a great idea (at least in my opinion) because each level you would add richer and richer language.
Last year, when I taught multiple levels, I was able to do the same thing with some comics I have found called "buni-comics". They are a bit dark at times (and you definitely couldn't show some of them to your class). But the best part is that they often have a strange turn of events for the main character and they have few to no words!
Your ability to sell the comic is entirely up to you and making it comprehensible for the kids. In the low levels, I try to tell a short story (with words we know to review) and have the kids try to guess (in the language) what might happen next.
In the higher levels, you could ask them to put themselves in the shoes of the character. Or you could ask them what should he do... or what will he do... or would you do that, etc.
Why do I bring this up now?
Well, maybe it's the mixture of students I have this year, but today when my students remembered that Thursdays we had a comic to look at (see template post to see how I pace it in my class), they got incredibly excited! Before I even showed the comic, they I could already see the anticipation building on their faces. And the comic delivered.
Good engagement, fun mini-discussion.
My memory is a little foggy on this one, but I remember hearing once about a language (foreign or language arts?) teacher that taught a class with a book that had no words, but was a series of pictures.
That would be a great idea (at least in my opinion) because each level you would add richer and richer language.
Last year, when I taught multiple levels, I was able to do the same thing with some comics I have found called "buni-comics". They are a bit dark at times (and you definitely couldn't show some of them to your class). But the best part is that they often have a strange turn of events for the main character and they have few to no words!
Your ability to sell the comic is entirely up to you and making it comprehensible for the kids. In the low levels, I try to tell a short story (with words we know to review) and have the kids try to guess (in the language) what might happen next.
In the higher levels, you could ask them to put themselves in the shoes of the character. Or you could ask them what should he do... or what will he do... or would you do that, etc.
Why do I bring this up now?
Well, maybe it's the mixture of students I have this year, but today when my students remembered that Thursdays we had a comic to look at (see template post to see how I pace it in my class), they got incredibly excited! Before I even showed the comic, they I could already see the anticipation building on their faces. And the comic delivered.
Good engagement, fun mini-discussion.
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
Templates for additional activities
First semester flew by and I wasn't able to get into the rhythm that I like to create until this semester since we were still using the first 10-15 minutes of class interviewing a student (very basically about one thing they like to do) until we finished talking about everyone.
But I like to establish a routine with some additional activities. I'm only doing Spanish 1 this year, but these activities worked for other levels because you can always use more language when reacting or describing whatever it may be. And these are great to get into class mode.
Often times I pick something because it relates (well or loosely) to some words we have been going over or I simply find it hilarious and need to share it but find a way to get the high frequency words in there.
Here is what I ended up on. Since we only meet every other day (due to block scheduling), I really will only do this 10 or so times each. The thing I enjoy is I can often do some different passes of old words and/or add some enrichment vocab (for those quick kids who want more vocab) and sometimes (if appropriate) I can do some pop-up grammar.
But I like to establish a routine with some additional activities. I'm only doing Spanish 1 this year, but these activities worked for other levels because you can always use more language when reacting or describing whatever it may be. And these are great to get into class mode.
Often times I pick something because it relates (well or loosely) to some words we have been going over or I simply find it hilarious and need to share it but find a way to get the high frequency words in there.
Here is what I ended up on. Since we only meet every other day (due to block scheduling), I really will only do this 10 or so times each. The thing I enjoy is I can often do some different passes of old words and/or add some enrichment vocab (for those quick kids who want more vocab) and sometimes (if appropriate) I can do some pop-up grammar.
Every day:
- Daily report (today is) - on board
- How is everyone? - Talk in Spanish about them for 5 minutes, ask follow up questions as appropriate
- Weather report (clip off weather from espanol.weather.com) TEMPLATE
Then I also will do an additional warm up activity.
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