Korean Job Discussion Forums

[passport220]

I have had two lessons that have risen to the top. One is a shopping lesson where the students work in pairs to determine the price of items at two competing shops. I highlight this one because practicing of speaking semi-complex numbers greater than 1,000 seems to be an area the students really need practice on. It was talked about in another thread but I wanted to emphases it because this is one area I feel class time was very well spent.

The second is about the changing world around us. The main reason it goes over so well is because I show a video by Frederic Beck called �Crac� during the last 15 minutes of class. The video shows traditional Western dress, dancing, music, a wedding ceremony and day-to-day life and how things have changed as Quebec, Canada goes from a farm based economy to modern. About half of the lesson is about language and half about changing culture and the similarities Korea has with the West in this regard.

I have one more lesson to prepare before the end of the semester. Does anyone have a lesson that they have actually taught that goes over very well with the students and would be willing to share with me in detail? There are a lot of lesson plan resources available on the web, but I am looking for something that current middle school teachers have discovered that students particularly need work on, and have a effective lesson to address the problem.

I can send or post details about my lessons for anyone who is interested (no exchange necessary).

[ddeubel]

Passport,

Thanks for being one of the few people who post on this board/forum and are actually interested in sharing ideas and just sharing.....

So I couldn't fain laziness over over work and had to respond. Please forgive me if my response is too simple, quick or just unexplained enough.....I tend to assume too much.

I think Korean kids , especially middle school , need to get excited about traveling, the world, and other cultures. They get a dearth of geographical awareness and need all the cheerleading they can in this regard. Especially regarding English, the lingua franca of travel.

First warm them up with Where the hell is Matt? Youtube video. You can download using the easy to download feature available and keep it on your computer to play in the recorder you prefer.

Stop it each scene before the writing and ask, Where the hell is Matt?????

Students that guess right, get a prize or do by asking groups, each group, right in turn, gets a prize.

Then, start into the geography lesson. I usually give out either Big Town cards or laminated flags.....each student gets a workout sheet. They wander the classroom talking and asking, Where are you from? They must find students from 7 different countries and record the names.....Students cant directly say where they are from . Model in front of the class where students ask you, where you are from? They have to ask about cities, countries, and other geographical features, and language.

After that, have the students play battleship. first demonstrate whole class. Students try to find your battleships on the board. Each group that gets a hit, gets a point and continues. If they sink a ship they get the points for the whole ship too (either 3, 4 or 5). If they sink a ship , the stop their turn, or if they miss..... The team with the most points wins. Students then play the same battleship game against a partner, in pairs.

YOu can find the materials on my teaching site. Google for the Where the Hell is Matt on youtube. Also finish if enough time with my powerpoint, Where in the world???? Students guess where and what, for each slide. Ex. Paris , France. Eiffel Tower.

YOu can find the battleship on the site at battleshipvacation and the powerpoint on the powerpoint part of my site.

PS. You might just want to do a carol singalong and also a jeopardy game about christmas. Middle school students are really competitive!!! I have an X-mas section.

Cheers and good luck,

DD

[passport220]

Super cool! I just read your post and watched the �Where the hell is Matt� video. At first blush I am thinking about showing the video and as you suggest and doing a activity based on it. I am thinking I could transition it into a Christmas around the world activity.

I am not sure yet but I think you have planned a seed for what may be a killer lesson! Thanks!

[mrd]

Did you download the movie "Crac"? I watched that in Quebec when I was doing a French immersion program - I'd love to show it!

Where did you get it?

Thanks! Do you have the DVD?

[passport220]

"Crac"

I downloaded a copy of it via bit torrent. I then posted 3 versions of it on Goggle Videos (3 versions low, medium, and high quality).

The high quality one is here http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2518565066307198534&hl=en

If you would like to save this to your computer, use this:
http://keepvid.com/

[xox]

I am currently trying to plan for winter camps, are you in the same position passport? but considering no one is really telling me much about it at my school (espeically WHEN it starts).
Are you students entering final exams now passport?

[passport220]

Hiya xox:

I came in this morning with all my ducks in a row to teach regular classes. However, I just found 10 minutes ago that today, tomorrow and Wednesday I will be conducting speaking tests for the entire second grade.

I expect to be asked to be teach some winter camps but no word yet. I plan on using a lot of video in camp based on the Wallace and Gromit style teaching materials that I sent you. I will also run some �Big gun, little gun� and �Monster� games as part of camp.

If my students are to take final exams, I will be the last to know.

PS:

This thread describes the games http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=55114&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=30 check out theatrelily's post

[xox]

passport:
Oh yes did I thank you for sending me that lesson plan? If I didn't I'm sorry! I've been running around like a chicken with it's head cut off!
But what are your plans for the new year once that comes around? Are you still going to be doing what you have been doing, or thinking of adapting a text book?

[passport220]

Hi xox:

Yes, you did send me an e-mail. You�re welcome.

My plan is to use a basic outline of a student�s life and interests and create a structure for the semester than makes a logical progression.

Example:

School life (subjects of study, clubs)
Free time (Hobbies, games)
Environment (maybe something on the Earth and recycling)
Plants
Animals
Safety
Travel
Keeping in touch (letters, pen pals)


Something like that. I have not thought it through. I will likely go to the library and find a good textbook (not one my school is using) and follow the table of contents as a guide. I will then borrow material from that book and others to give me the beginnings of a lesson. I will then take it from there and look for ideas and advice from this forum.