Fourth Task: Comment on a teaching idea you found on the web.
The teaching idea I found on the web is about writing a short story and you can see it here. But unlike the usual tasks I know from school this one gives a special prompt.
The pupils get a fortune cookie that is supposed to be the base of their story. They get together in groups so each one gets an individual fortelling. Every group creates a short story on English that includes the "prophecy" inside the fortune cookie. With this teaching unit the pupils can compile special vocabulary that is needed for their short story. They can learn new words and actively use them. If you ask me, it is a good exercise for the pupils to look up vocabulary themselves. Especially, if they need them for their short story as this is an important step in creating it. Compiling a relatively new set of words is productive and not only can they look them up but also help themselves. Sometimes there are pupils who already know certain vocabulary and by working in groups every member can benefit from each other.
Furthermore, the teacher can also use this to work with an online tool. For example, they can create a short movie sequence from their own short story by typing in their english text in a certain program. In my opinion, this gives pupils who are more skilled with technical devices than others a chance to play an important role.
Alternatively, they can act out a role play in front of the class. I think this can be as effective as using an online tool as a lot of pupils like to read out a loud or play a certain role. Plus, this is a useful variation if you do not have a free computer room available.
As shown in the teaching idea, there are several competences covered. In this case not only the professional competence, but also social competence as well as media competence which is of huge importance these days. This method also allows a great amount of creativity on the part of the pupils and the freedom to choose the frame for the short story. It can be used interdisciplinary, too.
I particularly like the goal of this teaching session as it it concrete and ascertainable. It can easily be prepared and during the session itself the teacher has enough time to actually go around and give help where it is needed. Plus, the instructions are not to stern so the pupils can be creative and self learning.
The pupils get a fortune cookie that is supposed to be the base of their story. They get together in groups so each one gets an individual fortelling. Every group creates a short story on English that includes the "prophecy" inside the fortune cookie. With this teaching unit the pupils can compile special vocabulary that is needed for their short story. They can learn new words and actively use them. If you ask me, it is a good exercise for the pupils to look up vocabulary themselves. Especially, if they need them for their short story as this is an important step in creating it. Compiling a relatively new set of words is productive and not only can they look them up but also help themselves. Sometimes there are pupils who already know certain vocabulary and by working in groups every member can benefit from each other.
Furthermore, the teacher can also use this to work with an online tool. For example, they can create a short movie sequence from their own short story by typing in their english text in a certain program. In my opinion, this gives pupils who are more skilled with technical devices than others a chance to play an important role.
Alternatively, they can act out a role play in front of the class. I think this can be as effective as using an online tool as a lot of pupils like to read out a loud or play a certain role. Plus, this is a useful variation if you do not have a free computer room available.
As shown in the teaching idea, there are several competences covered. In this case not only the professional competence, but also social competence as well as media competence which is of huge importance these days. This method also allows a great amount of creativity on the part of the pupils and the freedom to choose the frame for the short story. It can be used interdisciplinary, too.
I particularly like the goal of this teaching session as it it concrete and ascertainable. It can easily be prepared and during the session itself the teacher has enough time to actually go around and give help where it is needed. Plus, the instructions are not to stern so the pupils can be creative and self learning.
