Mike Bowden ESL Notes
Weeks of February 1st to February 19th
What's That On the Horizon?
So it's 10:59 metaphorically and you wish you were in the mood to appreciate that allegory.
The Down & Dirty of Last Minute Writing
Some students may not be writing attention grabbing introductory sentences yet. And if they aren't writing introductions, then the closing is probably weak as well.
I Just Erased My Paper and I Can't Do a Thing With It
Time for some writing first-aid that involves collaboration, conversation, critical thinking and consensus.
Type a passage in large text with a line between each sentence.
Make copies for the number of groups you will have (three or four students per group). Cut the sentences apart, mix them up, THEN number them chronologically.
Put the strips in an envelope.
Give each group an envelope, have the put the sentences in order from 1 to the highest number in their envelope.
If you mixed the sentences up well this passage will make no sense at all.
Make up a funny story for your students about the passage and tell them
they are asked to help fix it.
Here is Where Your 21st Century Skills Come In
Students will record their work in 2 columns. On the left are the sentences from the envelope in the order the students decide. On the right is the student's explanation for the placement of each sentence. It's meta-cognition inaction. No, sorry, metacognition
in action.
But Wait, There's More!
After the students discuss and agree on the order of the sentences and reasons for
the placement, each student can write their own extension of the passage.
If your class does this 4 days, and then writes on the fifth day, how much progress
do you anticipate in week one?
Where will they be at the end of week 3?
Speaking of Week 3...
Let's talk more about writing so you will be less stressed and able to enjoy the upcoming spring that is really on the horizon.
Schedule & Availability
Monday Feb 1 - Flower Mound
Tuesday Feb 2 - Forest Vista
Wednesday Feb 3 - Forest Vista
Thursday Feb 4 - Flower Mound
Friday Feb 5 - Forest Vista
Monday Feb 8 - Flower Mound morning only
LAS Conclave at Timber Creek Admin afternoon
Tuesday Feb 9 - Forest Vista
Wednesday Feb 10 - Forest Vista
Thursday Feb 11 - Flower Mound
Friday Feb 12 - Forest Vista afternoon
TELPAS workday at Assessment Annex morning
Monday Feb 15 - Flower Mound STUDENT HOLIDAY
Tuesday Feb 16 - Forest Vista TELPAS WRITING WINDOW OPENS
Wednesday Feb 17 - Forest Vista
Thursday Feb 18 - Flower Mound
Friday Feb 19 - Forest Vista
Contact Mike
Would you like to visit about strategies or ideas?
Let's set up a time to meet!
Email: bowdenm@lisd.net
Twitter: @BowdenLAS