The first step toward carrying out my action plan is to review the fifteen topics as identified by the NY State curriculum. I need to organize the topics in a logical sequence that will allow me to continually build upon previous lessons while incorporating new information to achieve higher levels of performance. Since I live in a rural area, and most potential teaching assignments would require that I teach multiple grade levels, I will next need to review the NY State Standards and performance levels expected at each check point. Keeping in mind best practices, I will then brainstorm, poll students, utilize colleagues, and search internet resources for activities and projects that address the topics at each of the checkpoints.
I could use assistance from you, my colleagues in locating and identifying activities and projects that are of interest to Jr. high school age students studying a foreign language. From your own experiences, or those of your local colleagues or students, what activities or projects might you suggest I include in developing my curriculum map and unit plans? What would students really like to create? What activities do they despise and why?
5 comments:
Hi Tracy
You know those blabber mouth cartoon things our prof has been sharing with us? Have you considered getting your students to share a commentary on a particular topic in that language using the blabber mouth feature? I have never tried it but I can picture it appealing to that age group!
Regards,
Lisa
Hi Lisa, I just checked out that blabberize site. It looks like a site a friend referred us to a couple Christmas' ago that allowed us to upload our own faces to put on elf bodies that sung (with a blabberize-looking mouth)and danced to holiday music. Anyway, I think I could have used is as an option for the lesson plan we are writing up for this week. I agree that students might really enjoy creating a blabber with that site, provided it isn't blocked at school.
Hi Tracy,
I know nothing about teaching Spanish (or other languages), other than occasionally students will come through my class with projects such as pinatas or food. Students seem to enjoy those types of hands-on activities where they make something related to the class, especially if they get to eat it later. I'm guessing you already knew that though.
The only other way that I can think of to help is by providing a couple of resources that I found with a quick search. First, this discussion board seems to have a ton of posts on it and would offer you the opportunity to ask questions as well: http://teachers.net/mentors/spanish/posts.html Another site that I found was this songs for teaching site: http://www.songsforteaching.com/spanish/rapssongsoldermiddlehighschool.htm A final way I could help is by trying to connect you with the Spanish teachers at my school. If you would like to contact them, please send me an e-mail and I'll try to make arrangements.
Have a great weekend!
Jeremy
Hi Tracy
Only one well to find out, I guess!
I can also picture it working well for the lesson "hook"... get the blabber mouth to tell them what they are going to be doing, or something.
Lisa
Hi Lisa, nice idea to use blabber as the "hook". I don't think I would have thought of that. Thanks.
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