ED481/G REMINDERS AND MORE

Dear ED481/G Students,

I'm pleased with the work that you've accomplished, knowledge that you've gained, strategies that you've learned, and so much more! In any event, it's that time of the semester again wherein we need to finalize all remaining course requirements. By now all assignments that you've submitted throughout the semester should have been graded. If I missed anything, please let me know as soon as possible.

If you haven't caught up, it is imperative that you communicate with me immediately. I have made considerations on a case-by-case basis with the understanding that quality work will be submitted.

Keep in mind that this Thursday we will be meeting in class. Be prepared to present your ESL Method Demonstration. We will also review Chapters 19 & 20.

As a recap, the following are the remaining topics for our class:

MAY 2:
-Chapter 19: Foreign Language Programs
-Chapter 20: Two-Way Bilingual and Heritage Tribal Language Programs
-Chapter 18 Reaction Paper Due
-LiveText Portfolio Discussion Continued
-Post Reflection in Class Blog at www.blogger.com (http://ed481spring2013.blogspot.com) 

MAY 9:
-Moodle online session–University of Guam: campus.uogdistance.com
-Case Studies: Teacher Narrations to Stimulate Professional Dialogue
-Chapters 19 & 20 Reaction Papers Due
-Final Self-Reflection Due
-Finalization of Online Portfolio Discussion
-Post Reflection in Class Blog at www.blogger.com (http://ed481spring2013.blogspot.com) 

MAY 16:
-Service Learning Presentation
-LiveText Portfolio Submission
-Post Final Reflection in Class Blog at www.blogger.com (http://ed481spring2013.blogspot.com)

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Be sure to also keep up with your blogging, as it is part of our online collaboration. You must reply/comment on your classmates' postings/entries as well.

As you know, I modified the lengthy LiveText Portfolio designing/submission in order to meet the needs of those who require additional time to complete the rest of the course requirements. Therefore, with regards to LiveText, you will only be required to submit the main artifact, namely the SIOP lesson plan, which was due on April 11, 2013. You may submit this in LiveText now, if you haven't already.

Good luck, keep me posted, and I'll see you on Thursday!

All the best,
Dr. Rivera

ESL Struggles and some strategies to help these students

This video identifies the struggles that face ELS today as well as numerous effective teaching strategies that can be used to combat them.

SIOP in Action

I wanted to know what was out there for SIOP lesson plans, and found this one. There is a lesson that makes use of SIOP lesson plan called “Exploring China through Folktales,” focusing on education for global understanding. I think it is one example of teaching language through content area, enhanced with technology. I am not planning to use the lesson but I have gotten some good ideas after I looked at the lesson plan. Having your own professional blog and reading other’s in the same profession seems like a seminar online, exchanging ideas and learning from each other.

http://mswaughsclass.blogspot.com/2013/03/exploring-china-through-folktales-siop.html

Tools for teaching-"Teaching Without Words"

The following clip explains how words pose an obstacle to learning, most especially for our English Language Learners. The narrator of the clip is Matthew Peterson, the creator of an instructional software that teaches math without using language. Peterson provides games that teachers can use within the classroom as a way of being effective without having to speak.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=2VLje8QRrwg

Affective Learning at BMS

As a first -year teacher at Benavente Middle School, I have witnessed many exciting initiatives that are taking place at my school. For example, an Advisor-Advisee Period (AAP) has been implemented as a course that replaced home room. The focus of AAP is not academics. Instead, teacher and student work intimately within a small classroom setting in order to improve and build positive characters. Students engage in a myriad of activities that highlight our school ESLR's. Every month a new theme is introduced and taught to the students using a structured lesson plan that is distributed school wide and created by teachers. Examples of past themes include: Peace, Giving Back to the Community, and Preventing School Bullying. In addition, students participate in Exploratory Day (initially called AAP Fun Day) in which a variety of courses ranging from intra-murals to cooking to Anime are offered and taught by teachers. Students have the option to change their Exploratory Day course every quarter, thus allowing them the option to explore and participate in activities that are of interest. So far, the AAP program at BMS has proven to be a success among the students because of its focus on personalization and building stronger relationships. 

Post by: FINA LEON GUERRERO

Shared Knowledge or Cooperative Learning

I have not missed to post reflection on the blog once. But, this time, when I opened the blog, I found many shared ideas all of which are very intriguing. So, I decided to write comments for those postings instead of putting something new this week. I enjoyed watching video clips, reading your ideas and picking your brain from your posting. I see this as an example of cooperative learning since you are sharing your experiences and findings with the rest of the class. Obviously, we can have cooperative learning without being in a physical classroom, thanks to the technology and thanks to you all.