I created a new final for ESOL/ESL 530. The new writing exam uses a short article. The directions, article, and rubric are posted below. The article is lower than the level expectations, but the focus is for students to implement an article. This skill doesn’t occur or is taught until level 4. >>>Final Directions<<< >>>Article<<< >>>Rubric<<<
Level 3 Integrating Articles
In level 3 integrated skills I have encouraged and implemented simple articles for students to use for their essays. Students must mention the article once in their essays. This is an attempt to bridge the gap and help students transition easier into using articles. Directions: Examine multiple articles with students on various topics. Articles can be found on Newsela.com. Have students write down their opinions then share with the class about topic/prompt. Introduce the article. […]
Timed Information Search
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. […]
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. […]
Fever 1793 by Laurie Anderson
Fever 1793 by Laurie Anderson is a historical novel with many awards as a young adult book. It takes the reader back to the summer of 1793 in Philadelphia. Events are seen through the eyes of Mattie Cook, who lives with her widowed mother and her grandfather above the coffee shop which is their business. When the fever breaks out, it turns the city and Mattie’s world upside down. This is a novel that is […]
Level 2 Practice Writing Handouts for Final w/ photos
Here are 2 handouts with writing prompts for Level 2 with photos and vocabulary to help them get started. Students can work alone or in pairs to practice writing a short composition describing the scene in the photo in past tense (simple past and an occasional past continuous). After they have had enough time to write down their ideas, work full class to: Elicit from students the composition, guiding them to create an introduction, a […]
Reading Assessment Int
This is a reading assessment based on Reading Apprenticeship ideas. I’ve added a longer writing task to make it a more effective assessment in reading/writing classes.
Grammar Game sentences
These are some slides with sentences from high intermediate ESL students’ papers that I use as part of a grammar game. I do it a few times as a semester to review and allow more relaxed practice. I put students in pairs or groups, and usually allow them to use books and notes. The sentence appears on a slide, and then students work together to find and decide how to correct any mistakes. They write […]
Wheel of Learning
I got this idea from my daughter’s second grade classroom. At a certain time everyday, the students get into “stations” where they do different activities for 15 – 20 minutes before they change to the next “station.” The students seemed to really enjoy the diversity and the fast pace of these activities. In this example, there are four stations – pronunciation, vocabulary, summarization, and reading. You can use any category, but I found these to […]