Workshop: Assessments

This weeks we took a deep look into formative assessments, summative assessments, lesson plans, and unit plans. The teachers analyzed the way they planned lessons and learned new ways to do so. Ultimately, they were asked to make a unit plan based on something they would teach in their classrooms in Brazil. Not only did they write clear objectives and assessments, but also they used the practices and methods learned throughout their time at Notre Dame to create interactive lessons that would enhance student learning. What we really wanted was to give the Brazilian teachers practical things they could implement immediately in their classrooms, and this activity was a great way for them to pick and choose what precisely would work best for each of them.

Here is a link to the ACE Unit Template we used in class:

• http://ace.nd.edu/downloads/unit-planning-template-2

Below you will find links to rubric resources that will help you assess student work based on the objectives and goals you have created for a lesson:

• One great way to grade non-traditional assessments is a rubric.  Things like role-play, dialogues, presentations or other non-test assessments.  Rubrics are a wonderful tool, but are sometimes difficult to make.
• This website, Rubistar.4teachers.org provides a great start to rubrics on almost any topic.  Once you choose the type of rubric you want to make, you can edit the categories and the requirements found in each box to fit your topic.
• Here are some more sample rubrics for you that we used in our classrooms!  Enjoy!

Workshop: Music in the Classroom

One day in class we had the opportunity to look at some fun and engaging way to utilize music in the classroom. Below you will find a list of websites and resources you can use to integrate music into your English as a foreign language classroom.

Opening Videos

I like to use music videos to get the attention of my students at the beginning of class. They know that they are expected to be in their seats and silent by the time the video ends; however, this happens primarily because students are excited to watch the video. Below are some links to some of my favorite channels on YouTube to find good videos, but the options are endless. (Always preview videos before showing them to a class, as many groups don't edit bad words.)

• The Piano Guys - An all-male group using instruments in unique ways to put a classical twist to modern music. 
• Pentatonix - An a cappella group that covers songs in a way that is visually stimulating and sound beautiful. 
• Walk Off The Earth - A five-person band that makes music videos of covered songs and originals that are entertaining and one-of-a-kind. 
• Julia Nunes - A one-woman wonder show, with videos made using ukulele, guitar, and innumerable homemade instruments. 
• Postmodern Jukebox - A group that takes hit music and puts the lyrics and music into a different era. The songs come out sounding similar to the original but take the listener back to a different time. 
• NPR Tiny Desk Concerts - National Public Radio records famous artists performing their music at a small desk in the NPR offices. The mini-concerts are intimate and honest.  

Idea Toolboxes

• EFL Classroom - A list of 50 ideas on how to you use music activities in your English as a foreign language classroom. This goes beyond using music as a filler; instead, it gives specific examples of how to use a song to extend your students' learning.
• Learning from Lyrics - This is a great resource for music that can be used in the classroom. This contains a database of over 3,000 songs for use in the classroom.
• Movie Segments - A blog made my a Brazilian teacher from Brasilia. This provides an organized list of movie and television clips you can use to teach specific grammar concepts in your classroom and to assess their comprehension. 
• The Literacy Shed - A database of video clips to promote literacy in learning. Feel free to explore this great resource. I particularly like the "Great Animations Shed" for its use of cartoons to teach literacy. Each clip has lesson ideas, so you can choose what works best for your students. 
• The Karaoke Channel - A YouTube channel with over 5,000 karaoke videos. Use this in class to get your students practicing English pronunciation. This is a great reward for students at the end of class if you have extra time. 

Journal Activities

• Complex Writing Prompts - An incredible compilation of complex writing prompts for higher level English speakers. These writing prompts really make students think and use their imaginations. 
• Simple Writing Prompts - A short list of simple writing prompts for mid-level English speakers. 
• Writing Music - Partner journal entry activities with calm, relaxing music to help students concentrate and reduce talking in the classroom.  

Music Video Project

To see an example of the rubric I gave my students for the Music Video Project, click here.

To see the video I showed my students as an example, click here.

Indianapolis Trip

Despite a few weeks of harsh weather, we were finally able to take a trip to Indianapolis. First, we spent a little time exploring the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. The Indy 500 has been won by many Brazilians, including Emerson Fittipaldi, Hélio Castroneves, Gil de Ferran, and, just last year, Tony Kanaan. 

After a quick lunch at Nick's Chili Parlor, we went to the Children's Museum of Indianapolis. The largest children's museum in the world, the Children's Museum of Indianapolis is unarguably also among the best. We would like to give both Crystal Salenda and Josh Estes of the museum, who organized a wonderful tour of some of the museum facilities for our group. We felt so welcomed and really got a feel for the important work done at the museum. 

Bonding and School Boards

On Super Bowl Sunday, we watched the game and the advertisements at Notre Dame's sports bar, Legends. We were joined by some of our partner teachers from the South Bend Community School Corporation. The school community has been so kind and welcoming during this experience, and it has been a pleasure getting to know them.

The next day, we visited the SBCSC School Board meeting, where we introduced ourselves, explained our experience in the schools, and expressed our gratitude for the opportunity to enter the schools. 

Workshop: Cultural Currents

This week, we looked at the different ways a person's culture can influence the way they learn a language. Do they have previous biases, positive or negative, about speaking more than one language? How is language acquisition seen in their community or home? Is speaking a second (or third) language something common or uncommon in the area from which they come? 

So many factors affect language acquisition. By exploring the different funds of knowledge each student brings to a classroom, a teacher is better able to plan lessons and assignments in a way that will reach them. For part of this week's assessment, the teachers were asked to create lessons that promoted cultural discussion and inclusion in the classroom.

 

For a reminder on how to make a mini-books, visit this link:

• http://library.thinkquest.org/J001156/makingbooks/minibook/index.htm

Notre Dame Football

Being at Notre Dame during the off season can't stop the spirit of football from forming new fans. On Saturday, we were introduced to one of the many inspiring stories surrounded Notre Dame football: Rudy. As the film ended, and many of us dried tears from our eyes, we set out for Notre Dame Stadium. 

We'd like to give special thanks to our you guide, Gerry. An usher for 26 seasons, Gerry hasn't missed a home game in his time working at the stadium. He taught us so much about the stadium and the rich history of football at Notre Dame. 

We finished the day with some great Mexican food from Salsa's. 

We are the Brazilian Curling Team

With visions of Cool Runnings dancing in our heads, we headed to Notre Dame's Compton Family Ice Arena to try our hands at the great sport of curling. Most of the Brazilians hadn't ever set foot on an ice rink, let alone tried to curl before. However, with some great instruction from the friendly staff at the arena, we were curling in no time.

Clay High School

Clay High School

Clay High School was one of the two high schools where some of the Brazilian teachers had the privilege to co-teach. Clay's vision statement to prepare students to face life and its challenges is deeply imbedded in the way in which the school runs. Our teachers had the chance to see the day-to-day happenings of the school and become part of that lifestyle in some small way. The entire group was even invited to watch a basketball game at the school, a great cultural experience for the Brazilian teachers. Thank  you so much to the students, faculty, and administration of Clay High School for provided such a rich experience!

Some of the Brazilian teachers showing their school spirit:

Washington High School

Washington High School

Two groups of Brazilian teachers co-taught at high schools within the South Bend Community School Corporation. One of those was Washington High School. Washington's mission is to provide its students with the skills, knowledge and behaviors necessary to be productive citizens in a rapidly changing society. The Brazil group had the amazing opportunity to get to know United States classrooms and how language learning happens in all classrooms, regardless of the subject matter. We would like to give a huge thank you to the students, faculty, and administration of Washington High School for provided us with this incredible opportunity!

Some photos of the group who co-taught at Washington and some of their co-teachers: