Oops!! lol Happy Birthday Patty and Tânia!!!!! Wish you all the best!!!
XOXO
Friday, 30 April 2010
Thursday, 29 April 2010
Using FormSpring in the Classroom for the first time
I used FormSpring today in one of my lessons, for the first time. The lesson was in Action 5, C1 (Yes/No questions) and I used it to replace one of the activities in the book (Act. 6, practice). The exercise suggested that students used prompts to form questions from a pile of slips (Resources Pack). As a matter of fact, this is a recycling lesson, and it also contributed to my choosing this lesson to have a go with FS. Since the "fun" of the thing was in the unpredictability of the questions, i.e., the element of surprise, and FormSpring is all about surprising someone by asking something, I decided to try.
I started at home, by creating 4 different profiles in FormSpring (St01, St02, St03 and St04) for my students to use in groups (there are only 4 computers in the MMC, that's why I created 4 profiles). We went to the MMC and each group had to "poke" their peers by asking them questions online. They got very enthusiastic about the site, and were emotionaly very involved with the task. Also, they seemed to be very comfortable with the computer, and it was clearly noticeable that their behaviour changed - they got jumpy, excited I'd say, as they got involved with the possibility of using the web and actually having control over the activity: they could ask ANYTHING they wanted.
Most of the questions they came up with were in the Simple Present Tense, and the vocabulary was rather poor. They were experimenting with FormSpring for the first time. Some of the questions were meant to provoke their mates: "Have you ever eaten bananas?" was one of them. The other was "did you like the class today?" They were, actually, having their first trial.
This whole experience made me wonder:
We carried out some on the spot and delayed correction later on, though I had to cope with some embarrassment for letting everybody see the questions on the e-B, after they went back to the classroom. They were all somehow tantalizing and/or heady.
I have assigned some FormSpring for homework as well, and I'll let you know if anything in my perspective changes. I'm eager to use it again and see how it goes...
I started at home, by creating 4 different profiles in FormSpring (St01, St02, St03 and St04) for my students to use in groups (there are only 4 computers in the MMC, that's why I created 4 profiles). We went to the MMC and each group had to "poke" their peers by asking them questions online. They got very enthusiastic about the site, and were emotionaly very involved with the task. Also, they seemed to be very comfortable with the computer, and it was clearly noticeable that their behaviour changed - they got jumpy, excited I'd say, as they got involved with the possibility of using the web and actually having control over the activity: they could ask ANYTHING they wanted.
Most of the questions they came up with were in the Simple Present Tense, and the vocabulary was rather poor. They were experimenting with FormSpring for the first time. Some of the questions were meant to provoke their mates: "Have you ever eaten bananas?" was one of them. The other was "did you like the class today?" They were, actually, having their first trial.
This whole experience made me wonder:
- How different will it be if I ever decide to use it with the same group again (and I will...)?
- Will they behave differently since they already know the tool?
- Does it mean that it wouldn't be ok to use a new tool when students are being presented to language for the first time (BTW, this was a recycling lesson, and even though nothing was new, they resorted to very elementary vocab)?
- How to make them come up with relevant language for their level?
- Is it possible to use edtech tools when working on guided practice? Or they would be more suitable for freer practice/recycling?
- Does excitement somehow affect production (in a negative way)?
- And how can that help the teacher assess their students?
- Can their production on an online tool such as FormSpring reflect what has actually been consolidated so far? Was their potential for using more sophisticated language hindered by the novelty in FormSpring?
- What should we, as teachers, cater for when preparing lessons that bring technology about?
We carried out some on the spot and delayed correction later on, though I had to cope with some embarrassment for letting everybody see the questions on the e-B, after they went back to the classroom. They were all somehow tantalizing and/or heady.
I have assigned some FormSpring for homework as well, and I'll let you know if anything in my perspective changes. I'm eager to use it again and see how it goes...
Great Warm-ups!
I've kept this list of nice warmers for a couple of years, and have already used most of them. They do work well in class! So, why not sharing? Just click on this link to download the list, and have fun!
ESL Games world
Hey guys! I just found a website full of games to be used in classroom. There are printables exercises and online games as well. You can use it with all levels and have some fun with your students.
Here's the link: http://www.eslgamesworld.com/
Enjoy it. =)
Rach
Here's the link: http://www.eslgamesworld.com/
Enjoy it. =)
Rach
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
just feeling bushed...
For those of you who might be feeling beat today...believe me, you're not alone...
Have a good night! zzz...
Friday, 23 April 2010
On the video "The Story of Stuff"
"20 pairs of shoes!! Who needs that?", says a teacher, in the Teacher's Room. As we moved deeper in a nice thought-provoking conversation, I wondered how many pairs of shoes I actually had...17, 18... So...nothing like a holiday to help us get back on track and, why not, count pairs of shoes! The lesson behind those numbers has to do with consumerism, and its tremendous effects on our lives, and on the planet.
Personally, I have been in a couple of binds towards what I really want to spend my money on. Last year I decided to sell my car. At first, I was just thinking about getting rid of a piece of junk that had been bringing me more lows than highs and thought: I'll buy another one in a couple of months. It had been almost 4 years since I had stopped using any kind of public transport, seduced by the comfort of one of America's most desired products - the automobile. But it wasn't until I took buses to Valqueire that I realized that, as a matter of fact, I don't really need a car. I live 1 block away from the subway station and 2 blocks away from the bus stop. I can always hail a cab in case I go out too late... I live 3 blocks away from the supermarket and it costs me next to nothing to bring my shopping bags back home in case I need a ride. Also, if I want to travel, I can take a bus or rent a car, which costs much less than owning a car. In fact, if I took a taxi to go AND come back from work every day I would spend less than keeping my own car!! (It's true!) So why do I need a car?!
The same happens with so many other products that we insist on purchasing just for the sake of possessing things. How many times do we actually reflect upon the real necessity for some goods? A new bikini every time we go on a beach trip, new clothes every time we are invited to a fancy party (and then, end up filled with stuff that we'll hardly ever use again!), hundreds of knick knacks, gadgets and even food that we don't need to (or shouldn't) hog ourselves with!
The point is, all that must go somewhere: all that stuff ends in trash! Dischargeable or not, everything, well... EVERYTHING will eventually be turned into garbage, not to mention the terrible consequences of not using our money properly: endless installments and debts that take us nowhere! Think about the sleep deprived nights we all would avoid provided that we could (decently) afford our own existence! Then, add the inumerous trips we could have taken, and loads of wonderful moments we could have spent near our most beloved ones by just working less!
Maybe it's high time we simply added one more letter to Jack Johnson's 3 R's - D, as in Declutter! Invest your money on what really makes a difference! Thank God it's Friday, and it's a holiday! Hope everybody can make good use of it! ;)
XOXO
Mary
p.s. Here is a nice video (The Story of Stuff) that got me thinking even more about it! Although it's rather long, some of it could be used in class!
Personally, I have been in a couple of binds towards what I really want to spend my money on. Last year I decided to sell my car. At first, I was just thinking about getting rid of a piece of junk that had been bringing me more lows than highs and thought: I'll buy another one in a couple of months. It had been almost 4 years since I had stopped using any kind of public transport, seduced by the comfort of one of America's most desired products - the automobile. But it wasn't until I took buses to Valqueire that I realized that, as a matter of fact, I don't really need a car. I live 1 block away from the subway station and 2 blocks away from the bus stop. I can always hail a cab in case I go out too late... I live 3 blocks away from the supermarket and it costs me next to nothing to bring my shopping bags back home in case I need a ride. Also, if I want to travel, I can take a bus or rent a car, which costs much less than owning a car. In fact, if I took a taxi to go AND come back from work every day I would spend less than keeping my own car!! (It's true!) So why do I need a car?!
The same happens with so many other products that we insist on purchasing just for the sake of possessing things. How many times do we actually reflect upon the real necessity for some goods? A new bikini every time we go on a beach trip, new clothes every time we are invited to a fancy party (and then, end up filled with stuff that we'll hardly ever use again!), hundreds of knick knacks, gadgets and even food that we don't need to (or shouldn't) hog ourselves with!
The point is, all that must go somewhere: all that stuff ends in trash! Dischargeable or not, everything, well... EVERYTHING will eventually be turned into garbage, not to mention the terrible consequences of not using our money properly: endless installments and debts that take us nowhere! Think about the sleep deprived nights we all would avoid provided that we could (decently) afford our own existence! Then, add the inumerous trips we could have taken, and loads of wonderful moments we could have spent near our most beloved ones by just working less!
Maybe it's high time we simply added one more letter to Jack Johnson's 3 R's - D, as in Declutter! Invest your money on what really makes a difference! Thank God it's Friday, and it's a holiday! Hope everybody can make good use of it! ;)
XOXO
Mary
p.s. Here is a nice video (The Story of Stuff) that got me thinking even more about it! Although it's rather long, some of it could be used in class!
Thursday, 15 April 2010
Mary Xmas!!!
First of all, Happy Birthday!! I wish you all the best!
And remember... NO PORTUGUESE!!! Let's create an English speaking environment here! hehehehe (kiddin', but not kidding!)
Wednesday, 14 April 2010
Som na caixa!!
Amei a idéia de reativar este blog! Valeu Patty! Então, vou aproveitar para colocar aqui uma pequena relação de video clips que separei para uso, ainda no início deste semestre: são clips voltados para o público infanto-juvenil, que eu selecionei por, basicamente, dois motivos: 1. eles são bem recentes e estão na ponta da língua da moçadinha de 9 a 13 anos e, 2. eles não "agridem o meio ambiente" - são politicamente corretos, sem imagens ou letras polêmicas.
Lá vai:
Miley Cyrus - Party in the USA
Temas possíveis:
EUA x Brazil
Parties
The Cheetah Girls - One World ( o clip é meio velhinho...)
Temas: (perfeito para lição B4 do Basic 5, ou como follow-up discussion - ainda dá tempo de usar)
India x Brazil
Parties
Wedding
Demi Lovato - La la land
Temas:
The life of a celebrity/being famous
TV programmes
Selena Gomez - Something I don't know (é mais para Junior...)
Temas:
House chores
Parts of the house
Miley Cyrus - Butterfly
Tema:
relacionamento pais x filhos
Nick Jonas - Who I am (muito bom para iniciantes)
Temas:
describing myself/presentations
jobs
personality
Miranda Cosgrove - Raining Sunshine
tema:
the weather
Justin Bieber - One time
Temas:
clubbing
parties
dating
friendship
being a teenager
free time activities
Avril Lavigne - Alice (underground)
Temas:
literature
the life of a teenager
what makes you freak out?
Paramore - the only exception (mais para Basic e Plus)
Temas:
family
love
parts of the house
De todos o único que ainda não usei foi o Raining Sunshine, pq a lição ainda não aconteceu. O restante é "satisfação garantida"!
É isso! Valeu! *poof!
We're back, baby!
It's been too long! So it's time to go back in time and start this project all over again. There are so many things that we can do using this blog and I'm pretty sure everybody will learn and have fun at the same time.
So, here we are! New things to explore!
Kisses,
Patty
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