Entries from May 2006 ↓

Ballet Lessons Important for Sumo Wrestlers

That pretty much says it all. Please continue on for an entertaining upper level reading exercise.

Download the text of the article and photo.

This doc is aimed to be used as a running dictation to set up one way of doing Speaking Task 1.
L2SpeakingTask1.pdf

Having just gone through the first drafts of the paragraphs of my level three writing classes, I have noticed that many of the students, rather than connecting two clauses into one sentence, are putting in a full stop and then starting a new sentence with ‘and, so, but etc’.

I used this activity to gently remind them how to connect clauses:

Directions

Before class cut up the sentence halves.

Sentence Halves

1. Distribute random halves to students, making sure you have the correct number of sentences for the number of students in the class. If you have an odd number, a pair of students could act as one.

2. The students stand up and try to find the classmate with the other half of their sentence.

3. When they have found their other half they should sit down together and re-write the sentence using ‘and, but, so, because.’

4. When finished they should check with you and then attempt to re-write the other sentences on the sheet in a similar fashion.

Sentence Sheet

5. When all students have finished, go through the sentences together. This could also be an opportunity to elicit alternatives such as ‘although, however etc’

Notes

The sentences are a bit dull as they are so feel free to re-write them up with a bit of humour or something.

This is Reading Test 1 for Level 1, 2006 spring. Reading teachers please make copies for your own class. Thank you.

Level 1 Reading Test 1

Level 1 Reading Test 1 Answer Sheet

This is an alternative rubric providing more detailed feedback to the students.

UPDATE: This file was corrupted and needs to be replaced. Will be back soon. Site Admin

This is a simple notetaking task sheet to be used with the Level 3 Discussion - Education video. This video is currently (May, 2005) available as a DVD on the Level 3 shelf, as well as from the ELP Web at:

http://elpweb.com/resources/slevel3listspeaking.php?id=discedu

The web version might be preferable for students with weaker listening skills because they can easily rewind and listen again for small points. If done in the FLSC, students can be sent there with this worksheet, and then come back to class to compare notes.

I am using this activity mainly to introduce how the Group Discussion test will work, and to clarify that there are many possible discussion points, such as things to change at Obirin, ways of learning, extracurricular activities, purpose of education, personal educational goals and dreams, etc. which could fit under the “Education” theme.

Education Discussion Tasksheet - to be used in conjuction with the Education discussion video.

There seem to be a lot of people who, like me, are teaching discussion and debate extensions classes. Since I’ve not heard of anyone using a textbook, there’s a good chance to improve our courses by sharing materials. I’m going to gradually add my “Discussing Current Issues” materials to this posting. When it’s unclear how to use them, I’ll add some teachers’ notes.

Language for giving an opinion, agreeing and disagreeing
Language for giving an opinion, agreeing and disagreeing with answers

Some teachers are asking their students to generate mind maps based on the readings we are covering in the Spring semester.

I made this mind map based on the reading ‘Reconsider the purpose of study’. Though not a wonderful example, it does get the idea across!

Reading Mind Map

Letter: ‘Reconsider the purpose of study”

Review Lesson (lessons 1~4) - Reading 1

The aim of this lesson is to review most of the key vocabulary presented in lessons one to four. It is also meant to be a way of getting students mentally and physically active (pair work, followed by group work as teams), and a ‘fun’ way of reviewing language.

There are three activities and I have suggested approximate times that each should take based on experience using similar activities in previous classes.

• Review 1 – Jigsaw reading - Pair work (35 minutes)
• Review 2 – Crossword - Group work (combine pairs from Review 1) (15 minutes)
• Review 3 – Quiz (Snatch) - Group work (35 minutes)

Review Lesson - Reading 1 (1~4), 3 activities

I’ve attached two feedback forms for Level 3 Speaking Task 1 (My Family speech). One is peer feedback, to give students something to do while they are listening. Each student fills one in for each speech, we collect them and give them to the speakers at the end. The other is a combined grading and feedback rubric which I’ll use to grade speeches as I’m listening.

Enjoy
Jim

Family Speech Teacher Feedback

Family Speech Peer Feedback

Students in groups of 4 or 5 can set up Journal Shares whereby they take turns in reading their journal entries. Listeners make notes of key points and questions to ask in a discussion time at the end. Allow for a good 40 minutes. The slips of paper are just examples for them of how to set up a note taking page. I use the same process for writing assignment shares also.
Journal Share Process Level 1 Writing

Level 2 Mid-Term Vocab Test version 2 with Answers.docFor the Level 2 Reading program, we give a test at the middle and end of the term. The tests form a large part of the students’ Reading grades.

1) The tests fit very well with the unit quizzes that I posted (see another posting). That is, the questions mostly tap the same receptive understanding of vocabulary, so the two go well together. There are also some spelling and gap-fill questions though.
2) The first 5 questions are spelling questions, see the teachers’ sheet for the words to read out.
3) Some students will finish much quicker than others. To to keep the fast finishers occupied, there is a puzzle at the end. The answer is on the teachers’ sheet.
4) There are two versions of the tests to provide an obstacle to any nefarious test taking strategies. The tests cover the same material, but the questions are in a different order. Feel free to use either version.

Let me know if you have any questions or find any problems!

Level 2 Mid-Term Vocab Test - Teachers Notes.doc
Level 2 Mid-Term Vocab Test version 1 with Answers.pdf
Level 2 Mid-Term Vocab Test version 1 with Answers.doc
Level 2 Mid-Term Vocab Test version 2 with Answers.pdf
Level 2 Mid-Term Vocab Test version 2 with Answers.doc

The eagle-eyed amongst you will have noted that Level 2 Reading teachers are due to give a minimum of five quizzes this semester. Of course, there’s the usual publisher quizzes available, but I’ve made a few alternative quizzes. They are some modifications from last semester’s alternative quizzes, but essentially try to build on the success we had getting students to study vocab. Here are some things about them:

1) About half of the questions involve a cloze passage. So, there is some reading for the students. The passage is pretty similar to the textbook texts, so hopefully as well as students learning the vocab, they will also bother to reread the passages from the previous week. This all should reward and encourage the development of vocab depth.
2) To aid the acquisition of vocab, spaced recyling is very important. So, half of the questions on the quiz are from previous units. To do well on the quizzes, students will have to continue reviewing the vocab from previous weeks. It’s important to tell students this (regardless of whether you use these quizzes or not)
3) The tests will fit very well with the final test (see another posting). That is, the questions mostly tap the same receptive understanding of vocabulary, so the two go well together.
4) The first 4 questions are spelling questions, see the teachers’ sheet for the words to read out.

Let me know if you have any questions, problems, or feedback!

Level 2 Reading Quiz with answers- Unit 2.doc

Level 2 Unit 1 Voca Quiz with answers

Here’s a more entertaining version of the Level 2 Speaking Task. It should only take 1 class to set up and then as many lessons as you want to give students to write, rehearse and refine their presentations.
TV Show Speaking Task 1

Mini Talk

The same ‘demo’ movie that is included on the DVD can also be seen here, on the Resources site.

It will soon be time to introduce the first speaking task to your level 1 classes. Showing the ‘demo’ movie on the DVD is probably the best way to get started, and the first part of this worksheet consists of a series of sentences about the format of the Mini Talk. This is a cloze activity: students fill the gaps by reading the on-screen text explanations on the DVD. (Obviously a good idea to freeze the DVD on each ’slide’ of on-screen text.)

The second part of the worksheet contains 2 blank mind-maps for students to start writing down some ideas.

Mini Talk. ‘Getting started’ worksheet.

Once your students understand the task, and after they have brainstormed some ideas, they will probably want to know how they will be graded. This worksheet explains how the grade will be decided, along with some useful tips.

Mini Talk. How to get a good grade

Just for a change, here is a bingo version of that old favourite.

2006GW.pdf

Suitable for all levels.

Students complete both bingo grids at the same time.

This is not rocket science, but it may help you with page 20 of Unit 2.

A worksheet to help your students sort out, and use, the vocabulary on page 20.

unit 2 appearance

Here’s the list of target words in Unit 1 - 6 of Passages. Please distribute this to the students and inform them that

1) words on the vocab quizzes will be selected mostly from the Vocabulary and Reading sections of Unit 1, 2, 3, and 5.

2) the words on the list will help their speechs and group discussions.

Passages Vocabulary List (spring).pdfPassages Vocabulary List (spring).doc

Here’s the answer key for the four vocabulary and reading quizzes.

Level 3 VR quizzes Answer Key.doc