Every semester I teach on a chapter that introduces the use of one and ones. My son, age 2, gave me the idea one day to use his Megablocks in class. Megablocks are similar to Legos, but they are very big. They come in all different colors and shapes, which makes them perfect for this lesson. Directions: Buy or bring Megablocks (or something similar that can attach together). Bring them to class. Grab several different […]
Author: Dglenn
Listening for Requests/Noticing Language AKA Eavesdropping
I have created several listening handouts for students to examine how people make requests. The idea behind this activity is for students to start realizing that people don’t speak like the textbook and people make choices in their pragmatic requests. It also builds students sense of discovery. Original idea adapted from Scott Phillabaum. First step: Ask students how people make requests or ask for things. Second step: teach them ways to make requests. Third step: […]
World English 1 Paragraph Packet
This is a homework packet with prompts for each unit. Paragraphs are due at the end of each unit. These topics are related to the chapter. Students in my class were assigned to do this in addition to other assignments. I believe that having them practice writing at home improves their writing in the class. It could also be a springboard for in-class discussion for common student errors. Example: Unit 2 is about holidays and […]
Tournament Style Peer Review
Adapted from Patrick Hoggan at American River College, I created a peer review that is completely anonymous and competitive. In this peer review students will write the best essay possible and compete with other students. I usually include prizes for the winners (top 3). This can be done with paragraphs, essays, or any type of writing. Directions: Have students write an essay then type that essay (I usually do an in-class essay that I will […]
Blind Peer Review
This is a peer review I adapted from Megan Riedel (English) at Yuba College. This peer review is completely anonymous and allows the students to receive multiple sources of feedback. It may take an entire class period depending on the amount of students (performed with a class of 20 or more). Directions: Have the students write an essay (I usually do an in-class then examine it return it with a grade. I withhold the feedback). […]
Reading Fables Predictions/Story Creation to Reading
In my reading courses I always like to use Fables by Arnold Lobel. He always has one piece of art that encapsulate the entire story. When I teach students about predictions I usually use one of his fables. In the fable attached for this lesson I have the students examine a photo. It is a picture of an interesting bear wearing a frying pan on his head and paper bags for shoes. I sometimes have […]
Money Lesson Beginners “How much / How many “
During my practicum years ago I came up with the idea of printing out “play money” to deal with the grammar points “How much” and “How many.” In the lesson I begin by explaining what each bill is called: 1 dollar bill, 5 dollar bill, etc. Then I go into the different between “money” and “bills.” I hand out the money randomly to students. They count up their money and then I ask them individually […]
Class Observation Assignment, Rubric, and Letter
This assignment is for higher level students about to transition to mainstream courses. I created this assignment to encourage students that they could actually attend classes and be successful. The assignment is assign towards the beginning of the semester (multiple reasons for this: scheduling observations, vocabulary [usually the classes are more advanced as the semester rolls out], and reflection). Before doing this assignment, I present lectures from real classes for them to practice the skills […]
Present Perfect Indefinite Past
Unit 10 in Focus on Grammar 3 deals with “Have you ever_____?” and how to answer those questions. I created a fun activity that forces students to get out of their seats and communicate with each other. With this handout, students run around the room and try to find students who have done one of these activities before. For example, “Have you ever been to the Golden Gate Bridge?” If the student asked responds yes, […]
Homework Paragraph Packet (Unit Based)
This is a homework packet with prompts for each unit. Paragraphs are due at the end of each unit. These topics are related to the chapter. Students in my class were assigned to do this in addition to other assignments. I believe that having them practice writing at home improves their writing in the class. It could also be a springboard for in-class discussion for common student errors. Example: Unit 7 is about activities and […]