[ola] grammar and English use in classroom
- From: JoAnna Coleman <joannac@xxxxxxx>
- To: "ola@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <ola@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 13 Dec 2013 23:57:08 +0000
Hey OWLers - I just had a conversation with the 3rd year teacher who teaches
the kids I had in 2nd year last year - she has said over and over again how the
kids speaking and listening proficiency is so much higher than in years past,
but today she said that they don't "know" a lot of stuff, when I asked her to
be more specific, she said when it comes to regular tests (ie. verb conjugation
tests on paper) that they don't do well and when she talks about things (ie.
stem-changing verbs) they don't know what she's talking about.
This is frustrating for me on many levels, I don't want my kids to feel like
they don't "know" something when they go to a new teacher (or to college)
The other day I spent 10 minutes going over in English with my second year
kids a couple of grammar points We have been talking about our daily routines
(me lavo el pelo vs. lavo el coche vs. te lavo el pelo, tu vs te vs ti,
etc...). I told them that in a traditional classroom, they would go over the
grammar first, learn the rules and then practice, where as in our class, we
hear it and practice it first until it "sounds" right and then look behind the
curtains at the grammar. That way, they don't need to worry about memorizing a
rule that will soon be forgotten, since the language is already internalized.
I opened it up to any nagging questions they had about language structure as
well. (what if I say "Me lavo mi pelo"? brought up a really good comparison of
someone learning English saying "I like the pop music") it was actually a
really great conversation and a lot of stuff came up.
I think I may need to do a little English moment every couple of weeks - make
it part of the routine, something they can expect is going to happen, but not
on a daily basis.
What are your thoughts on this? Do any of you do this or something similar? Do
you do English days or moments?
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 Darcy
Rogers <rogersdr25@xxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, December 13, 2013 1:51 PM
To: ola@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [ola] Some lesson plan ideas! (Weekend food for thought :)
Dear OWL Community,
Attached are two sample lesson plans for your enjoyment, perusal and feedback.
The intent is to re-create a sample class where there is a 'flow' of
level-appropriate language, activities, and literacy. Literacy is a theme that
I will be addressing more in the new year, since it is crucial that students
are exposed to and using the language in all capacities. Literacy should be
seamlessly intertwined throughout any class period in an interactive, authentic
way.
One plan is a strand based off of the recent passing of Nelson Mandela, while
the other is a winter theme. Remember that any plan can be 'lowered' or
'raised' by level, depending on the kinds of questions, prompts, activities,
and functions that are being asked.
The two lesson plans are both in a certain 'range', but could easily be
modified to be above or below. Keep in mind that each class generally has at
least a couple ranges of student levels.
Both lesson plans are set up exactly the same in structure. (The green in both
is the exact same). The only thing that is different is the actual content in
blue/red. This is to show you how similar you can plan classes, and how the
content just fills itself in. The goal is always to create an organic flow
(which means this 'plan' could shoot off in a different direction), but these
are just examples to show how a class could go, and some activities that could
be used to have students producing. Also, the parts in green can be flexible
and modified for variation and student interest.
I look forward to any conversation started, and hope that these might offer
some ideas to get through the last hump! Also, please add and/or contribute any
threads that you have been doing in class!
Darcy Rogers
Organic World Language (OWL)
Phone: 541.601.4509
Fax: 541.776.4099
Website: www.organicworldlanguage.com
Facebook: tinyurl.com/organic-language-facebook
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