MODULE FOUR: ENGAGING ALL LEARNERS OF EVERY AGE
Recommended Deadline for all Modules: July 15, 2017
Module Overview
This module offers a wealth of ideas for activities in the K-5 world language classroom, while it also underscores the serious purposes underlying games, songs, fun, and play for learners of ANY AGE. The same principles and many of the activities are equally effective with older students.
Once a theme, its purpose, and its outcomes have been established, it is the activities and their careful sequencing that engage learners and move them toward a successful “landing.” The most effective activities, like successful units, incorporate the elements of a good story, including a clear beginning, middle, and end.
In the video (Activity 1) the principles for early language learning are brought to life through on-camera classroom demonstrations. Activity 2 connects you with useful online resources for activities and networking with Pre-K and elementary school world language teachers, as well as specific resources for Chinese teachers at all grade levels.
Module Essential Question
How do music and fun influence students’ learning and the language acquisition process?
Module Outcomes for STARTALK Participants
1. I can explain why songs, games and fun are essential to the early language classroom and serve essential educational purposes.
2. I can develop activities for my unit drawn from examples in the readings, videos and online resources.
Activity 1 - Songs, Chants and Games
A. View Songs, Chants and Games (NFLC) and two videos about teaching French at Cobber Kids. As you view, add to your list of strategies that you started in earlier modules. This will not be turned into the instructors but will serve you as a resource when you create lessons and teach in the STARTALK program.
- Link to Songs, Chants and Games and Cobber Kids videos: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/50202007
Note: The list of video titles appears on the bottom of the page underneath the main video window. Click on the video title. You may need to wait a moment for it to load. Click the play button.
B. Reflect / Respond – Blog Entry
1. List an example of a song, a chant, and a game that you saw in the three videos mentioned in Activity 1.
2. Give an example of a song, a chant, and a game that would be useful in a Chinese learning setting.
Activity 2 – Explore Online Resources
The world language teacher of today, in contrast to even 10 years ago, has many online resources to draw from when planning units, lessons, and activities. In this activity you will be introduced to several of them, and invited to use these resources to find two more possible activities or ideas for your unit.
A. Visit or join the Ñandutí listserv, a listserv for teachers of all languages in PreK-Grade 6, at: www.cal.org/earlylang
If you are already a teacher in these grades, or planning to teach K-5, we encourage you to join the listserv, if you have not already done so. Whether or not you join, search the archives or recent posts for possible ideas for your unit and choose at least one that you think would work well.
B. Visit www.miscositas.com, the rich website of Lori Langer di Ramirez, an early language teacher who has developed materials for a number of languages including Chinese. You may also wish to visit some of her teaching videos on YouTube. You will find a listing of these videos on her website. Search through these materials for ideas for your unit, and choose at least one that you think would work well.
C. There are other Internet sites that can be very useful for exchanging or locating ideas and activities specifically for Chinese.
You can find many such resources and join a Listserv for Chinese at http://www.carla.umn.edu/resources/teaching/chinese_mn.html
D. Reflect and Respond in our blog:
1. Post what you find in the comments section. Indicate how the activity incorporates language functions, culture, and/or content.
2. Share a few particularly interesting resources that you found online. Include the links so others can find the information quickly.
Recommended Deadline for all Modules: July 15, 2017
Module Overview
This module offers a wealth of ideas for activities in the K-5 world language classroom, while it also underscores the serious purposes underlying games, songs, fun, and play for learners of ANY AGE. The same principles and many of the activities are equally effective with older students.
Once a theme, its purpose, and its outcomes have been established, it is the activities and their careful sequencing that engage learners and move them toward a successful “landing.” The most effective activities, like successful units, incorporate the elements of a good story, including a clear beginning, middle, and end.
In the video (Activity 1) the principles for early language learning are brought to life through on-camera classroom demonstrations. Activity 2 connects you with useful online resources for activities and networking with Pre-K and elementary school world language teachers, as well as specific resources for Chinese teachers at all grade levels.
Module Essential Question
How do music and fun influence students’ learning and the language acquisition process?
Module Outcomes for STARTALK Participants
1. I can explain why songs, games and fun are essential to the early language classroom and serve essential educational purposes.
2. I can develop activities for my unit drawn from examples in the readings, videos and online resources.
Activity 1 - Songs, Chants and Games
A. View Songs, Chants and Games (NFLC) and two videos about teaching French at Cobber Kids. As you view, add to your list of strategies that you started in earlier modules. This will not be turned into the instructors but will serve you as a resource when you create lessons and teach in the STARTALK program.
- Link to Songs, Chants and Games and Cobber Kids videos: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/50202007
Note: The list of video titles appears on the bottom of the page underneath the main video window. Click on the video title. You may need to wait a moment for it to load. Click the play button.
B. Reflect / Respond – Blog Entry
1. List an example of a song, a chant, and a game that you saw in the three videos mentioned in Activity 1.
2. Give an example of a song, a chant, and a game that would be useful in a Chinese learning setting.
Activity 2 – Explore Online Resources
The world language teacher of today, in contrast to even 10 years ago, has many online resources to draw from when planning units, lessons, and activities. In this activity you will be introduced to several of them, and invited to use these resources to find two more possible activities or ideas for your unit.
A. Visit or join the Ñandutí listserv, a listserv for teachers of all languages in PreK-Grade 6, at: www.cal.org/earlylang
If you are already a teacher in these grades, or planning to teach K-5, we encourage you to join the listserv, if you have not already done so. Whether or not you join, search the archives or recent posts for possible ideas for your unit and choose at least one that you think would work well.
B. Visit www.miscositas.com, the rich website of Lori Langer di Ramirez, an early language teacher who has developed materials for a number of languages including Chinese. You may also wish to visit some of her teaching videos on YouTube. You will find a listing of these videos on her website. Search through these materials for ideas for your unit, and choose at least one that you think would work well.
C. There are other Internet sites that can be very useful for exchanging or locating ideas and activities specifically for Chinese.
You can find many such resources and join a Listserv for Chinese at http://www.carla.umn.edu/resources/teaching/chinese_mn.html
D. Reflect and Respond in our blog:
1. Post what you find in the comments section. Indicate how the activity incorporates language functions, culture, and/or content.
2. Share a few particularly interesting resources that you found online. Include the links so others can find the information quickly.