Designing Learning Experiences Activity
Because the ESL endorsement in Virginia is for teaching K-12, I wanted to create an activity that is appropriate for younger learners.
After a brief introduction of rhyming words, students are shown the text of a simple nursery rhyme and practice listening comprehension by listening to the pronunciation as the rhyme is "recited" by the Blabberize avatar.
If needed, the teacher can slowly read the words to the class to ensure comprehension. The class will then identify, as a group, the rhyming words. Using the prepared Wordle, students will be prompted by simple words and encouraged to think of other words that rhyme. Finally, the class as a group will work together to create short 2-4 line poems on the chalkboard, with the teacher's guidance.
With very young learners, it can be difficult to meaningfully integrate technology, especially when they are learning English as a Second Language and may not be familiar with technological metalanguage. Furthermore, the technology provided to students at these early levels is often minimal. Add to this the short attention spans inherent in children, and a fast-moving group activity makes sense. Using two forms of technology to present to a young group is beneficial in that it introduces them to different resources and helps them to engage in the material and to create something of their own. I chose to use an authentic resource, a traditional nursery rhyme that belongs to the public domain, to both teach the content and inspire creativity within students.
I would love to see how this lesson plan works in a real classroom. If the students enjoy writing short poems, it could be beneficial to have them share them somehow using technology. I would like to identify an age appropriate, online space such as a sharing forum or even a class website to display the student's work. This could be a year-long project used to document the progress of the class as a group. It is notoriously difficult to measure the progress of ESL learners, so this could be a great way to demonstrate to parents the progress their children have made over the course of a semester or a year.
Because the ESL endorsement in Virginia is for teaching K-12, I wanted to create an activity that is appropriate for younger learners.
After a brief introduction of rhyming words, students are shown the text of a simple nursery rhyme and practice listening comprehension by listening to the pronunciation as the rhyme is "recited" by the Blabberize avatar.
If needed, the teacher can slowly read the words to the class to ensure comprehension. The class will then identify, as a group, the rhyming words. Using the prepared Wordle, students will be prompted by simple words and encouraged to think of other words that rhyme. Finally, the class as a group will work together to create short 2-4 line poems on the chalkboard, with the teacher's guidance.
With very young learners, it can be difficult to meaningfully integrate technology, especially when they are learning English as a Second Language and may not be familiar with technological metalanguage. Furthermore, the technology provided to students at these early levels is often minimal. Add to this the short attention spans inherent in children, and a fast-moving group activity makes sense. Using two forms of technology to present to a young group is beneficial in that it introduces them to different resources and helps them to engage in the material and to create something of their own. I chose to use an authentic resource, a traditional nursery rhyme that belongs to the public domain, to both teach the content and inspire creativity within students.
I would love to see how this lesson plan works in a real classroom. If the students enjoy writing short poems, it could be beneficial to have them share them somehow using technology. I would like to identify an age appropriate, online space such as a sharing forum or even a class website to display the student's work. This could be a year-long project used to document the progress of the class as a group. It is notoriously difficult to measure the progress of ESL learners, so this could be a great way to demonstrate to parents the progress their children have made over the course of a semester or a year.
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Three Blind Mice
Three blind mice, Three blind mice, See how they run! See how they run! They all ran after the farmer's wife, Who cut off their tails, With a carving knife. Have you ever seen such a thing in your life, As three blind mice. |