My first classroom observation session was a foundations composition class with Felicia teaching. I believe all of her students were from Saudi Arabia.
Working in groups, they learnt how to compose sentences relating to family relations (using a family tree diagram), as well as fill in the blank type questions.
After explaining the exercise on the main white board, the teacher walked around and helped students individually. She let them know how much time they had left for each exercise and reminded them (in a friendly manner), to speak to each other in English, not Arabic.
Students were asked to write 5 sentences on 'what they do' each day and 'what they do not do' each day.
The teacher would mark each students' work on a small dry erase board and ask them to make corrections, if needed. It was very good to ask students to help each other, as they seemed to explain it instantly in a way that their fellow students could understand.
This is a recurring theme I see in the classroom. Giving kids individual white boards makes the lesson more fun and interactive. I have yet to view foundations class. Having them go over what they do and what they don't do is very simple and I think a very good place to start. Family tree is always fun as well and can bring in some useful words like aunt,niece,nephew,uncle, etc that you may need to use frequently.
ReplyDelete