...speaking of graphic organizers
What is a graphic organizer you ask… Well, after some of my own deliberation I’ve come up with this description: they tend to provide a visual aid to facilitate learning and instruction. Most graphic organizers create a picture of information and allow the mind to see undiscovered patterns and relationships. They are especially useful in the English classroom because they aid in the organization of thoughts and comparisons. Attached is a link that provides a wide variety of graphic organizers, each with their own distinct model and method.
I like the differentiated choice they allow. For example, a cluster web begins with a central topic and allows the student to gather ideas and jot them down around that focus. Some students may find this method too sporadic and unorganized for their liking, while others may benefit from its loose structure. There are several different charts to choose from and they can be used dependent on personal choice since most of the frames are all working towards the same goal.
These charts bring strategy and encouragement to tasks that can be seen as overwhelming to some students. The ability to gather and categorize their thoughts provides a scaffolding basis for their work and reminds them that no assignment starts from scratch.
Sharing with you some fineeee dineeee Slam Poetry cuisine! I was so so so excited to see that we would be exploring Slam poetry in this class. This video is of Anis Majgani, one of my all time favourites. Enjoy!
Lesson Redesign
Attached is my original ENGL Grade 10 Lesson Plan for the Story: Just Lather, That’s All: by clicking on the link below, you will be taken to a google doc page. The layout of the two lessons are similar in template but vastly different in content. Please be sure to read through thoroughly and identify the added WEB 2.0 design.
Original Lesson:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ogKA65I-OL7gJtPcyzYqN7DmtKLZ_-FaT7O0izKZ5bI/edit
Lesson Redesign:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mt77CZktS6lipaeQIpwGYuqM2dxzqNayDCZ9mBockaQ/edit
I have also created a GLOGSTER poster example that can be found below to exemplify the creative ways glogster can be used. The link is also available here: http://www.glogster.com/brinnylee/unfinished-glog-3/g-6lofm7uifosts58f04oroa0 if you would like a closer look.
This lesson plan has been redesigned in a way that can still allow students to rationalize the variances in readers perspectives but now it gives them the ability to create a biased perspective of their own. By taking a Web 2.0 approach to this lesson teachers can psychically demonstrate the different ways audiences are attracted to mass media. BIG, BOLD, and eeeeeeeeeye catching visuals can translate different understandings to different texts. “Just Lather, That’s All” gives a written approach, and by implementing Glogster to the lesson it takes that approach one step further. The students are able to use their creativity to impose a specific bias to their poster. They will then describe why they decided to use the frames, texts, pictures, audio, etc that they did to address their particular audience in order to generate their specific perspective. In explaining their decisions the students are able to understanding the ways in which these same decisions are used in multi-media advertisements and pop culture.
Survey Reflection
When re-designing the survey, the main element that I hoped to address was the student’s personal perspective on English literacy. I liked many of the questions Danika had originally posted so by altering them slightly, I was able to grasp a better understanding of the students prior knowledge of an English classroom. I also wanted to know what sort of taboos or positive/ negative biases they may have before entering the classroom so I could adjust my methods if needed. I aimed to get an understanding of their comfort with computers (as Danika had) and by adding questions such as, “When you first turn on your computer, what is the first program you open?” I can see what computer features are most attractive to the students. A key component to the survey surrounds the student’s goals within the classroom. By finding out where their strengths and weaknesses lay, teachers are able to diagnostically approach each students individual needs and find a lesson plan suitable to addressing them collectively. The last questioned asked, “Is there anything else you would like to add about yourself as a learner” is aimed to set a comfort level between student and teacher so that they are aware of the importance of this survey in benefiting their needs.
Who doesn’t like a good advertising opportunity!? Heck, I know I sure do. So here is a blindsidingly large poster of Althouse’s Muscial, Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.
(Source: mr-tjames)
