October 19, 2015

Dear colleagues, 

Welcome to week 04!

TEACHING TOOLS
What is the difference between accuracy and fluency? As teachers, what should we strive for? How do we know when a student has mastered a task? How is "mastered" defined?

This TESOL blog post by Robert Sheppard deals with these issues, reminding us to strive for balance between the two. 
Have a quick read here: Fluency and Accuracy Activities - Striking a Balances

And a link to what happens with too much accuracy...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FvIpErzQY4

What are your thoughts?


TECHNOLOGY
Still looking for ways to brush up on your skills using Google? 
This is a goldmine of information: 70 Google Apps Video Tutorials

Where does one start with 70 videos?
If you're lost or would like videos, links or tutorials for specific Google or other technology issues, just let us know.


UPCOMING EVENTS / REMINDERS

LAC & New School:
Meeting Challenges, Exploring Solutions in the Adult ESOL Classroom Conference
Saturday, October 24, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
Alvin Johnson / J.M. Kaplan Hall, Auditorium
66 W 12th Street, New York, NY 10011
To register, click HERE
($25 per participant, $15 for New School students, faculty and staff and Literacy Assistance Center students)
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The 45th Annual NYS TESOL Conference
Emerging Global Literacies in Language and Technology
November 13-14, 2015
7:30 am - 5 pm
Crown Plaza White Plains
Link: http://ac15.nystesol.org/
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Harlem Adult Education Conference, Friday, November 6, 2015
at the City College of NY
Shepard Hall
160 Convent Avenue, NY, NY
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NYPL Professional Development for hourly teachers: There are still a few open spots!

Linking theory and practice into effective lesson planning using backward design and the WIPPEAR model. 

Here is the link to sign up:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RZiC25uhPz3HJ-LGC5XaDwMA94Y90q1So6hG1Sl5xis/edit

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Before we go - Have you tried any...

...WORD GAMES

with your students recently?

With any activity you can have one answer sheet per table, or here's a suggestion to get students out of their seats (what did presenter Alex Lowe say at the workshop at our last staff meeting: "Sitting is the new smoking...")

Have multiple white boards or newsprint sheets in different parts of the classroom, so students can work in groups and then reveal their work after a time limit.

What word games do YOU do with your students?

Below is the SPELLING BEE from this week's New York Times Magazine.

How many words can YOU find?

We made it only to 14...

We like the NYT's grading scale, it starts with 7=good (i.e. there is no bad, a good idea for use in class, too)

If you want to submit your words, please email them to Elke (elkestappert@nypl.org)

Answers next week!

(The NYT will publish their list of words with - 26 - points...)

Speaking of word games, here are three links to create Bingo-cards for your students:
http://www.freebingomaker.com/
http://bingo.saksena.net/
http://www.eslactivities.com/picturebingo.php#

We welcome any comments, suggestions or contributions for this blog!

:)

Last not least:

Starting next week, we will start to realize an idea of Upper Manhattan student mentor Irfan Ali:

PROFILES OF TEACHERS AND STAFF!

Do you have an interesting story to share?

Would you like to interview and write a short profile about a colleague?

If you do, please contact us. 
It would be wonderful to get to know each other better.

It can be Q & A style, or a paragraph or two.

The questions below are guidelines only.

“10 Questions” Background Where are you from and what brought you to NYC? When did you decide you wanted to be an ESOL/Adult Literacy teacher?  Why? Have you ever taught in another country? How has that shaped you as a person and as a teacher? Teaching What is the biggest challenge and the most rewarding thing for you as an Educator? Do you have any special story you would like to share about a student or a class? Is there any specialized English class you would like to teach? Classroom Tips How do you encourage students to practice English outside of class? What nobody knew... What do you like to do in your free time? Do you have a Black Belt in Karate? A secret recipe or amazing pet? Won an award? What is your favorite place / activity in NYC? YOUR question/answer HERE... If you have a PHOTO or two to share - great!

Until next week!

Elizabeth & Elke