The activities I like most during this weeks topic are ones I can foresee using in a beginner level class in elementary schools. Some, like the spelling practice site are more varied, which even 4th grade can use to practice, or any student as soon as they learn the alphabet and some basics. The students can listen to a simple or more complicated story and practice spelling certain words that they can hear again. This tests listening as well as writing. This activity, making your own story, could also be geared for younger levels but then it would be more of an art project than an English one. I wouldn't do this with children younger than 6th grade since younger students wont have enough vocabulary yet to create a simple plot. Starting in 6th grade however, writing and illustrating your own story could be a fun and involved project. To decide what we will learn or write about, we could use the WiseMapping tool in class where students can participate by adding topics that they want to expand on or relate to a current topic.
This site from the British Council is my favorite. It has many activities and stories at a very basic level that can be geared towards students of many levels. I especially like the short story section which includes pre-reading preparation by learning key words and connecting them to pictures.
I really like your take on the list of tools presented to the class. there were a few tools, such as the wise mapping and spelling practice sites that I must have overlooked but heard of through your blog, so thank you. I too like the create your own story tool and I included it in my blog post as well, it adds another level than just a blank piece of white paper and a pen.
ReplyDeleteHi Natasha, great article examining the different tools that I had not looked in depth into for my own blog - so this was a really useful read for me. I really liked reading about the Wise Mapping tool and took a further look by clicking on the link you provided. It can be a great pre-writing activity before pupils produce their own stories. It could also be a good tool as a teacher to plan differentiated lessons under various subject areas that we need to teach.
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