Attempting to complete an SLO at a different college, I create a timed information search. This can be done with any type of reading with a lot of numbers. I usually time students 3-5 minutes. Before performing this activity, you need to teach questions and key words in questions (for example: When was she born? students search for a #/day with the keyword born). Who, When, How much Directions: Pass out the reading face down. […]
Category: Beginning
Directions and Maps
Giving Directions and Using Maps In this activity, students will help each other complete their maps. This is an information gap activity. Students have a map that is missing the names of stores. Before you do this activity, you must teach left, right, straight, next to, on the corner, between, on, leave, and go. You must also cut out the cars (see below) before attempting this activity. Directions: 1. Model the activity by […]
Using Grocery Ads
Using Grocery Store Ads In this exercise students will locate information from an ad. In level 1, I want students to be able to identify finding important information in a text. I recommend bringing a variety of ads. Directions: 1. Pull out an example ad and put it on the overhead. 2. Ask questions. What is important information if I need to shop for groceries this month? 3. Have students answer questions from the worksheet. […]
Level 1 Writing about Pictures Activity
Recently, I have developed a new strategy for level 1 students to write about a picture. The students are asked to separate their ideas into two paragraphs. The first paragraph is a description of the people in the picture (who is it, where are they from, what do they do for a living). The second paragraph is about what is happening in the picture at the moment. The attachments below have additional questions for students […]
Spelling Word Bingo
In some classes I like to include spelling words, and have a spelling bee at the end of the semester. I choose words from the most common lists (everyday for beg-int classes, and academic for int-adv classes) or based on key words from class texts. One way to help students review vocabulary in a new way is to have bingo. I have them fill out the blank cards with words from their lists and then […]
Masquerade- A New Way to do Introductions Again!
At the beginning of the semester I have students walk around the room and introduce themselves to one another. Someone during a meeting made the comment, “I wish we could recreate this experience to practice more.” That is when I came up with this idea. This activity is for the lowest level to teach introductions. Directions: Have students practice introductions at the beginning of the semester. Print out and cut out the profile cards. Create […]
Food for Thought
When teaching the names of common foods I like to bring in the actual items. To make it a hands-on learning process I hand, for example, a carrot to a student as I pronounce the name. He or she hands the vegetable back to me and says the word “carrot” while doing so. After running through a dozen or so items / words I will check for understanding by holding up an item and having […]
Carve a Pumpkin
As Halloween approaches each autumn I often bring in a large pumpkin. After briefly describing the origins of this “holiday” I discuss the current manifestations that take place in American culture such as costumes and trick or treating. But what really gets their attention is when I give a narrated demonstration of how to carve a jack ‘o lantern. Necessary items: one (1) pumpkin, one carving knife, newspaper to put the seeds on, and a […]
INS Study Guide
Resource Posting PD.tifI find that students, especially at the lower levels, are curious about the history and politics of the United States. Over the years one of the handouts I have accumulated is the INS Standard 100 Questions for 312 Test at Legalization Offices. The document has questions such as, “What do we call a change to the U.S. Constitution?” Answer, “Amendment.” It serves as a nice break from grammar, writing, etc. and often engenders […]
Unit 2 Review World English 1
I created a quick-review for students to run through to see if they remember unit 2 grammar. This slide show goes over prepositions of time, adverbs of frequency, and possessive adjectives. Directions: Go over on the board prepositions of time, adverbs of frequency in the book, and possessive adjectives. Run the powerpoint. Have students shout out the answer. >>>Unt 2 Review<<< Dglenn