ESL Forum

Elementary classes :: RE: First Cycle - Ideas

Author: TheHappy1
Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 5:24 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 32

Good website Cindy, very user friendly for cycle 1!
_________________
Eric Luckenuik
�cole du Tournesol

Elementary classes :: RE: First Cycle - Ideas

Author: CindyStern
Subject: An interactive site: Numbers - Colours - Shapes
Posted: Wed May 19, 2010 10:31 am (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 32

http://www.literacycenter.net/lessonview_en.php

Numbers - Colours - Shapes

Very simple to use!

Cindy

General discussion :: RE: Do You Have a Website??? Share it with us!

Author: TheHappy1
Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 7:55 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 3

Well, here is my new website, I present it every months or two to keep the interest of my students. I also try to publish some realisations from them on it.

http://www.freewebs.com/myenglishsite/
_________________
Eric Luckenuik
�cole du Tournesol

ESL and ICTs :: RE: Teaching ESL online with skype

Author: Maida
Subject: thank you
Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 7:30 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 2

Hi Patrick,

Thanks for your response. What I am actually referring to is teaching ESL via a headset and webcam. For instance in Korea a lot of students are being taught via webcam either solo or in groups. There are institutions world wide that hire people from home. I was wondering if perhaps there were some similar institutions here in Montreal.

Some of the sights I have seen do not ask for experience but that one has the required equipment and computer specifications.

Thanks for your help again.

Maida

ESL and ICTs :: RE: Teaching ESL online with skype

Author: PL
Subject: Re: Teaching ESL online with skype
Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 7:52 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 2

Maida wrote:

Do any of you have experience in this field. Would anybody know of any institutions or schools who hire in this field on a part time basis.

I don't understand by 'schools who hire in this field'. Do you mean distant learning? If yes, you'll have to check sites like Jobboom or Monster. Usually, they ask for a B.A. in teaching and a M.A. in Educational Technology with experience in the educational field. Maybe some private firms may hire, but from what you wrote, you would need to be a subject matter expert to get the job.

Here are a few website you might ponder on:
http://www.edtechtalk.com/
http://terry-freedman.org.uk/artman/publish/index.php
http://cde.athabascau.ca/online_book/

Maida wrote:

Or have any of you done this from home. Also if anyone is familiar with the rates.

Experienced it from home with my webcam and also at schools. I'm currently helping a colleague to communicate with another school via Skype. It's pretty neat and efficient to communicate. As for the rates, I suggest you look at this website (for long distance calls):

http://www.skype.com/prices/callrates/?currency=CAD

Skype is ONE tool you can use for online learning and collaborative learning. There are plenty of free tools that use both synchronous and asynchronous learning. It all depends on your primary objective and the learning goals you want to set for the students. Not all tools are fit for every learning situation.

Hope it will help.

Cheers!
_________________
Patrick Lefebvre
Consultant Educ. Technologist
Junior software/website evaluator, CRDI (MELS)
CSDGS

ESL and ICTs :: Teaching ESL online with skype

Author: Maida
Subject: Teaching ESL online with skype
Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 4:01 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 2

Hello everyone, I am interested in teaching ESL online to students worldwide. I recently bought a headset and webcam and have downloaded skype. I am new to this field.

Do any of you have experience in this field. Would anybody know of any institutions or schools who hire in this field on a part time basis. Or have any of you done this from home. Also if anyone is familiar with the rates.

I am currently working full time in finance so am looking to pursue this as a side interest for now on evenings or weekends until I can "quit my day job".

I would appreciate any help you can give.

Thanks, Maida

Elementary classes :: RE: 3 x 60 minutes vs 4 x 45 minutes

Author: daniel
Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 9:48 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 2

Well, one old teacher, not that I'm young, was reluctant. She's on the "conseil d'�tablissement". She's the one who said, while I was not there, that we didn't follow the procedure.

I've told her that the parents have the right to be informed but it ends there.

Later she came in my class ( while I was teaching) to show some paper from the school board. She was surprised when I told her that I've already read and studied it. she was even more surprised when I told her that I went to the union and MELS web sites to understand what were the parent's rights in these committees.

Next week I will talk about this with other teachers who are in the same committees and will give them my point of view.

Like yourself I did experiment 45 and 60 minutes period and I agree with you. 45 minutes is not enough, I always had to cut somewhere. In 60 minutes I'm able to reach different learner types: they can listen, talk, write,memorize and be in action while learning. I beleive my teaching is more efficient this way.

Elementary classes :: RE: 3 x 60 minutes vs 4 x 45 minutes

Author: PL
Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2008 3:12 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 2

I experimented with both, and found the 45 minutes periods didn't give me quality time to get into the theory/subject/project. With the attendance, cleaning up and all regular routines connected to an ESL class I was left with a 30 minutes or quality time.

Today I have the 60 minutes and love it. The kids are fun, they participate and like getting into projects. But I would really hate it if the kids were plain naughty.

It all depends on your teaching style, and who is your clientele. By the way you are writing, it seems someone is trying to shove down a decision your throat and you're trying to find some arguments to prove that person wrong. Am I right?
_________________
Patrick Lefebvre
Consultant Educ. Technologist
Junior software/website evaluator, CRDI (MELS)
CSDGS

Elementary classes :: 3 x 60 minutes vs 4 x 45 minutes

Author: daniel
Subject: 3 x 60 minutes vs 4 x 45 minutes
Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 9:45 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 2

Hi

My students must have 90 minutes ESL each week.

Last year they had 2 times 45 minutes.

I prefer to use one week: 1 x 60 minutes and the second week 2 x 60 minutes.

Personally, I can do more in 60 minutes than 45. I can teach theories, make them practise together, take times to finish some project...

If you had a choice, over a two weeks period, what you you prefer and
which one, in your view would be better and why:

3 times 60 or 4 times 45 minutes?

Elementary classes :: RE: English Arts

Author: CindyStern
Subject: Art
Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 8:44 am (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 1

Hi Patrick,

You may want to find projects related to the themes covered in class. For example, when doing "body parts", have students make a Picasso inspired face or body. http://www.lessonplanspage.com/ArtSSPicassosFaces35.htm

I remember using the CRAYOLA website a few years ago. It offers simple art lesson plans for teachers: http://www.crayola.com/lesson-plans

Of course, they are not specific to ESL, but there are many creative ideas you can use.
I think the main goal is encouraging students to use English during the Art period. I suggest you pair up students for their art projects to allow them to have more opportunities to speak English. By making sure that model sentences are posted on the board, they will be able to practice English a lot. I also suggest you have a follow up system for students (self-monitoring, self-evaluation, peer + teacher evaluation) so that you have something tangible to show parents.
You may also want to contact your Arts consultant at the board or Arts specialist in the school (if there is one) to see if there are other ideas you can reinvest during your ESL class.
I don't remember Chatterbox's projects, but you may want to take a look at other collections' ideas: making a 3D Robot (shapes + colours), making a mini-book, etc.
Do you have access to a computer lab? Kid Pix is a really great program I highly recommend.
Good luck and have fun!

Cindy

Elementary classes :: English Arts

Author: PL
Subject: English Arts
Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 9:31 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 1

This year I changed school and got an extra 30 minutes per week to do English Arts. 'What is English Arts?' I asked my principal, since nothing came up on Google or other websites that I am familiar with. He replied: 'It's a mix of ESL and arts which are communicative skills, craft projects and artsy stuff'. All this approved by the parents, which are demanding tangible results (yipee and might I add wohoo).

I'm looking for books or websites that contain such information. Students level: grade 3 to 6. Before I go to Librairie Michel Fortin or wate my time on Amazon, can anyone suggest something relevant?

Thanks!

PS: Already doing some projects with Chatterbox at the end of each unit. So that's already one option out.
_________________
Patrick Lefebvre
Consultant Educ. Technologist
Junior software/website evaluator, CRDI (MELS)
CSDGS

General discussion :: Toobaloo?

Author: CindyStern
Subject: Toobaloo?
Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 10:36 am (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 0

Has anyone tried the Tobaloo?

http://www.toobaloo.com/products/index.php?category_id=2254

http://www.scolartek.com/detailprod.php?table=materiel&code=to-01

Cindy

Elementary classes :: Classroom Management

Author: CindyStern
Subject: Classroom Management
Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 1:42 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 0

Hello ESL teachers!

This website shows a great example of how to set up a "mini-flip clipboard" so that you can effectively take notes when observing students.

http://www.bobsedulinks.com/filamentality/miniclip/miniflipclipboard.html

Do you have any other ideas that can help with classroom management?

Cindy

Elementary classes :: RE: Activities You Can Print

Author: CindyStern
Subject: Quick certificate maker
Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 9:53 am (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 6

Here is the link to a quick certificate maker. Very easy to use!

http://www.senteacher.org/Worksheet/3/Certificates.xhtml

Cindy

Elementary classes :: RE: Activities You Can Print

Author: CindyStern
Subject: A site built by Juith Rohlf!
Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 1:40 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 6

A site built by Juith Rohlf!

http://www.geocities.com/EnchantedForest/Fountain/2131/tiddlywinks.html

Hope you all have a great summer!

Cindy