Thinking Out Loud
I’ve been thinking about projects for this coming school year. I want a project that focuses once again on writing, thinking, and collaboration with others. I am thinking about forming a group of ESL students who would be paired with students from possibly a fifth grade classroom. I’m thinking out loud here so bear with me. The time would probably be just an hour for the ESL students as time out of class for them is hard to come by. I would have the other students for two hours. We would meet once a week. I’m thinking of having the ESL students talk to their other “half” (not sure if I will set up topics based on a theme, stick with current events, vocabulary development activities that are fun, let it free-flow, or have a combination of these). This would be a type of language experience type approach, if needed. I know the ESL kids need more authentic speaking and writing activities and a chance to participate more with technology. I do know that I want to make sure that they have an audience who will respond to what they are writing - another class or a group of volunteers that I can gather together. I would probably start with a class weblog, then branch off to “pair” weblogs or “individual weblogs”. Anyway, I’m just a thinking. What do you think? Any thoughts or suggestions from all of you out there would be appreciated!
July 30th, 2003 at 10:31 pm
This sounds like a project for my class! We are fourth grade, but it might work!
July 31st, 2003 at 12:30 am
Anne,
I’d love to talk collaboration even though I won’t be a classroom teacher this year. I’ll keep in touch when I know for sure where I’m doing my principal residency this year. I may have some ESL high school students that could be interested in a short-term or longer-term collaboration of some type.
I would have moved towards a shared weblog model this year for my younger students if I were back at my school. I only did individual blogs with my older students and thought it worth expanding. My goal would be to do more composing and editing in class before posting to streamline things a bit and build in the editing/revision process.
Just a few quick random thoughts. I wish I had known you were in DC since I’m there for much of the summer.
July 31st, 2003 at 8:56 am
Intriguing. Check with Al Delgado in Chicago. He’s not a classroom teacher, but he may know teachers who could either work with you or adapt the idea for their own classes.
August 14th, 2003 at 9:38 am
Dear Anne:
You have an excellent idea. A cognitive foundation that will allow both groups to share similar approaches to reasoning will help to assure success. Cogetics (a language for thought)provides this necessary foundation. Cogetics (www.rosebrooke.com) provides the needed basis for achieving literacy and numeracy and has proven effective with all students including ESL students.
Vic Maiorana