Where to live???

Good morning, class:

Today’s module will again be split into two parts.

8:30-9:10: Where to live?

Let’s see in the “real world” how you would do looking for (and finding!)
a place to live abroad.

Visit the following site and start by choosing a city (in the English-speaking
world) of interest.

http://www.craigslist.org/about/sites

Find ads for places to live. Read through several, noting any and all collocations you find (i.e. “hardwood floors”). Write them down in your notebook!

Your blog post should include A) a place where you would like to live and B) a place you would not like to live.

Here’s an example for A above:

Well, I’d like to live here because the place has hardwood floors which I really like. (They’re easy to clean and look classy.) It also appeals to me because it has two fireplaces. Note that it also has a Jacuzzi. I bet that would be great for cold, winter New Jersey nights. (= 50 words)
http://jerseyshore.craigslist.org/apa/1218274840.html

(Include the link as above. You do not have to use MLA formatting for this assignment)

Then repeat but for B—a place that does not interest you.

9:10-9:50: Your papers!

Use this time to advance on your reflective essays. Be sure you review the rubric that will be used to mark this project. It can be found in the files folder. Look for “Reflective Essay project rubric).

A couple reminders:
Be sure you follow MLA format and apply the content checklist
from the first peer review.
Be sure you turn in ALL required contents (i.e. outline, revised drafts, etc.) on Wednesday!

Again, to give you time to print, class on Wednesday will start at 8:45. After 9:00, you will not be allowed to enter the classroom and your essay will be considered late. You should therefore plan accordingly. And do arrive as soon as you can as we have few days to finish unit 9!

And now, it's time to begin!

Welcome to June!



The official countdown to the end of the semester has officially started.



Concerned about your proficiency/marks?



Here’s what you can do:



1) attend workshops on Fridays at 3:00.

2) participate in the English conversation circle on Fridays at 1:30.

3) Check out the Study skills section of the Student Handbook.

4) Work regularly on the class dossier.

5) Print out and work with the study skills table published in Virtual.

6) Remember to always (always!) speak English when the opportunity arises (during your work experience, in the casino, in class, etc.).



Today, I have planned for you to do the following:



A. Spend 15 minutes, posting comments and reading the comments others have left for you!

B. Spend 15 minutes peer editing your outlines for your reflective essay. You need to read 2 classmates’ outlines and, likewise, have two classmates review your outline. Sign any paper you review at the bottom. Focus on content and be very reflective with your feedback.

C. When at least 2 people have commented on your outline, you can begin working on your first draft.



Note: Today in class we will not follow the blog programme. Instead, you will use this time to work on your papers.

Reflective essay

Welcome to the last week of May of 2009.

Three things need to happen during today’s class.

1) Print out the blog that I am to correct. If you’re confused, talk to a classmate. Please do this during the first 5-10 minutes of class.

2) Now that you have chosen and read the article on which you will write your reflective essay, share your thoughts on the subject in a blog post. If it helps you, consider these questions:

Do you agree with the author’s main point(s)?

Are there point(s)/part(s) you disagree with?

What connection(s) could you make to the article?

How does the article relate to Chile? Your learning? Children’s learning?

Would the solution(s)/strategies(s) mentioned in the article—if any—be appropriate to implement in Chile’s public schools. If not, what modifications would you make?

Etc.

The important thing is to not just summarize (Oh dear, that’s a double split infinitive!) the article. We don’t want to know what the article says (we know—we read it), we want to know what you think about it.

3) Comment on 3 other classmates’ posts. Give yourself at least 10-15 minutes for this last part. If you do not have time to give feedback, this last task is homework! Part of blog learning involves the interaction--communicating.

TED Listen and learn

Dear Students,

Welcome to mid-term week!

For today’s blog you will practice some listening skills.

Go to www. TED.com and choose one of the following talks to watch and for which to write a 150-200-word review.

Sir Ken Robinson on developing creative thinkers
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html

Dave Eggers on helping public school children
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/dave_eggers_makes_his_ted_prize_wish_once_upon_a_school.html

Be sure to include the website/bibliography in MLA format at the end of your review.

After wrting your review, comment on at least 3 classmates’ post. (If at the time you are working on this no classmates have posted, you need to return later in the week to comment).

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Because this week’s lab session counts as a class, at the end of this module you’re spending in the lab, go to my office (141) and add your name to the LV attendance list posted.

I might add that if you still have not been interviewed and need ideas for practice, the Student’s handbook has several tips listed in the Study Skills section (See “files” on Virtual).

PLEASE NOTE THAT ON MONDAY, MAY 18TH, CLASS WILL BE IN THE CLASSROOM—NOT LAB.

Your homework for that day is to read and study the following article. Send a comment for writing practice!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/newsenglish/britain/speed_dating.shtml

Happy May!

Good morning!

Today you will spend time reviewing your first writing assignment, preparing for next week’s oral exams and practicing your language skills through the reading of an authentic text and writing an article review.

Writing Review

1) To get started, open up the LV CEF based rubric found in the “files” folder on Virtual. Review this sheet in detail. Where do you think you are now? Where were you last semester? Where do you want/need to be at the end of LV? LVI? After reflecting, ask me for your paper. Your new homework assignment for Wednesday is to correct as many of your mistakes as possible on either a new draft or in your notebook. You must come to Wednesday’s class with your original letter and corrections.

2) Open up the “Student’s handbook”. Scroll down to the “Study skills page” to see how you can improve your writing skills. In addition, check out this link:
http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/fce/students/writing/makeover/archive.htm

Choose two papers to look out now—perhaps Archive 26 would be a good one. What are the evaluator’s comments?

Ready to take it up a notch?

Same site, more advanced level:
http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/cae/students/writing/makeover/archive.htm

Oral exams
1) If you haven’t started already, now (today) is the time to establish a plan of action to begin “seriously practicing” for next week’s oral interviews. Since you have the Student’s handbook open already, check out the strategies for practicing your speaking. Make a mental note of at least 2 you will put into effect today.

2) Need some concrete questions to prepare for? Take a look at the oral questions placed in the “files” folder on Virtual. Use these. Create new ones. On Wednesday and Friday we will try to work with some of these in class. Prepare to feel confident.

3) And, because I knew you’d ask, sign-up sheets will be posted Wednesday, mid-morning in the CIDE building. You will be interviewed in pairs. By the end of this week, you will also be able to find in the “files” folder the oral rubric that Simon and I will be using to assess you.

Reading and writing Practice

1) Let’s see what’s happening in the news. Visit this site http://www.guardian.co.uk/
or www.cnn.com and choose an article to read about a current event. Write a 150-
word post, commenting on your reaction. Be sure to include the bibliography in
MLA-style so we can go straight to the article to see what it said. (Forgot MLA-style? No problem…that Student handbook? It’s got all the answers—ok, most)

2) Last but DEFINITELY not least: comment on at least 3 classmates’ blog posts.

Did you know? You are a key player in your classmates’ learning. If you don’t post, others cannot comment. If you do not comment, others miss out on interactive learning and valuable feedback. Your opinion, thoughts, corrections count more than you realize.

(And just a small…tiny…itsy-bitsy…teeny-weeny reminder that all of the energy you pour out weekly into your blog and classmates’ will calculate into 15% of your final mark.)

And here’s a Monday joke for you:

What do you call a fish with no eyes?
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
A fsh!

Prep for writing evaluation and birth order lesson

Good morning! Today’s time will be split between two areas of interest. The first is on revising and correcting written English. The second will get you thinking about this week’s topic: birth order.

Part 1:

A.
Please remember that you have an important evaluation on Wednesday (8:30-9:10): a formal letter that will be worth 10% of your final mark. As preparation, you are to read at least one post on at least 5 different classmates’ blogs, and then write an observational post in which you comment on common strengths and weaknesses. In other words, without focusing on any one post, what do you think your classmates do well in writing? In what area do they make most mistakes, in general? This post should be no more than 100-150 words.

(Thinking about this may help you to be more critical of your own writing).

B.
Next, write a 150-word blog/peer edit review for one specific student (he/she will be assigned to you). You should comment on the presentation and layout of his/her blog and offer a revision of one of his/her posts. This should be as detailed and specific as possible. Do not write this as a new post on your blog but instead as a comment on his/hers.

(Remember on Wednesday to read carefully what you write and to revise your work as necessary before handing in your final letter.)

Part 2: (This may be homework, depending on how time is used)

For fun, visit this website to see what your birth order personality is. (Is it accurate?)
http://www.parents.com/parents/quiz.jsp?catref=cat3550006&quizId=/templatedata/ab/quiz/data/BirthOrderQuiz_03052004.xml


And, as a future educator, see what this text has to offer you.
http://educationalissues.suite101.com/article.cfm/birth_order_in_the_classroom


Finally,

For your consideration: As you work this week with kids in schools, pick one for which to analyze his/her personality. When you’ve made a few observations (i.e. shy, introverted, follows orders quickly, easy going etc.) ask what his/her birth order is. Any connection?

Teacher TV

This week I invite you to choose a video to watch on this site:

http://www.teachers.tv/

Afterwards, write a critical review in which you briefly summarize the contents and then offer a well supported opinion.

Comment on at least 3 classmates' post--but be sure you choose 3 DIFFERENT classmates this time.