[ola] Re: What does an OWL project look like?
- From: JoAnna Coleman <joannac@xxxxxxx>
- To: "ola@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <ola@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 1 Dec 2013 18:57:14 +0000
Emily - I have been having the exact same thoughts - I have a colleague who
takes 2 weeks to make pinatas in her 1st year class, kids learn some new
Spanish vocabulary, sure, but the majority of the interaction is in English.
This is a compromise she makes for the intense community building that takes
place. After this project, her students have built strong relationships and her
classes run so smoothly because kids aren't afraid to take risks and make
mistakes anymore. I think you have to make these compromises sometimes.
In the past I have done cultural projects which are completed at home (watch 3
movies by the same director, cook a totally authentic and from scratch meal for
your family, learn and perform a piece of Spanish music, etc...) and as you've
implied, kids invest time and effort because they are motivated to learn about
something that interests them in a hands-on way. They often say that the
project was their favorite part of the class.
I don't take class time to do them, but I have in the past (a day for papel
picado or day of the dead masks, etc...). I would if it ensured a stronger
sense of community and built stronger relationships between students, but I
think this would have to be a longer project, such as the pinatas.
I have had AP students research a non-profit organization in a Spanish-speaking
community and give presentations. But at that level, all of the work is in
Spanish. I have had my lower level students film a cooking show of authentic
foods or a travel video in pairs. I think if you pair the task to their level,
less English will be necessary.
Thanks for starting this dialogue, looking forward to hearing from other OWLers!
JoAnna Coleman
Spanish Teacher
Wilson High School
503-916-5280 ext. 75231
joannac@xxxxxxx
http://profecoleman.wordpress.com/
________________________________
From: ola-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <ola-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> on behalf of Emily
Gerstner <emilygerstner@xxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, December 01, 2013 9:28 AM
To: ola@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [ola] What does an OWL project look like?
Hi there,
I'm looking for advice on projects that are in line with the goals of OWL. In
the past when I've done projects, students have really enjoyed them and taken a
lot of ownership over their work, but because of less structured class time
spent working or a need for word translation, projects take away from Spanish
being spoken in class. For projects involving research, teaching research
skills is really valuable, but again, something that gets done in English and
takes away from Spanish time.
What have you all done to make projects as communicative as possible throughout
the process of preparing and presenting? What is the most successful project
you have done? Your thoughts are much appreciated. I hope everyone had a
relaxing holiday weekend!
Take care,
Emily
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