This news report is about the Notting Hill Carnival 2002 held on the 25th and 26th August, in London. The report describes the carnival and the problems caused by so many people being in such a small place.
For more information about the Notting Hill Carnival you can visit: http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/carnival/For this lesson you will need
• Copies of Worksheet A (optional)– Introduction and first reading questions
• Copies of Worksheet B – Reading questions and Writing activity
• Copies of Worksheet C - Vocabulary
• The audio or written text- Carnival Safety Success
Introduction – worksheet A
Aim – Raise awareness of Carnival. Introduce vocabulary and a language prediction task.
For this stage you can give out Worksheet A.
However, you can easily do this stage without the worksheet, as follows.
• Start the class by writing the word CARNIVAL on the board.
• Ask students what they know about this word.
Information for teachers:
CARNIVAL
This is a period or occasion or public enjoyment and celebration. There are often processions and parties. This is very common in Roman Catholic countries. Brazil and Jamaica are two countries that are famous for their carnival celebrations.
Next,
• write the headline on the board and the vocabulary choices (Worksheet A, question 2)
• Ask the students, in pairs to choose some words they think they will see in the article.
• Next, give the students the first reading question:-
3. What was the problem two years ago and why was Carnival 2002 called a safety success?
• Play the audio or hand out the text.
• Students read to check their predictions and answer the first question.
Answers for Worksheet A:-
2. These words appear in the article.
Street
festival
Cloudy
Murder
Party
Balcony
Colourful
Costumes
Arrest
Music
Wonderful
3. What was the problem two years ago and why was Carnival 2002 called a safety success?
Two years ago, two people were murdered. In 2002, there was only a little crime, and there weren’t any murders. The organisers had made changes to the carnival, and these changes were successful.
Main reading / listening – Worksheet B
Aim – Understanding details
• Hand out worksheet B
• Students answer the true/false questions.
Answers for Worksheet B:-
1. Are the following statements true or false?
a. In Europe, there is a bigger festival than Notting Hill Carnival –
Answer: False – It is the biggest
b. The weather was very good at Carnival 2002 –
Answer: False – it was cloudy
c. The carnival parade went a different way this year –
Answer: True – the route was changed
d. Many activities continued till midnight –
Answer: False – the ending time of 9 p.m. was closely observed
(followed/obeyed)
e. Over a million people wore special costumes –
Answer: False – 3000 people dressed up in costumes. A million came to see the parade
f. For some people, it was difficult to see the parade –
Answer: True – the crowds were large (5 people deep) and many people only had a glimpse of the carnival – a brief look
g. Some police danced and partied -
Answer: True – Some of the police got in on the act, they joined in
h. There were many kinds of music –
Answer: True
g. More than half the arrests were for theft –
Answer: True – pick pocketing and robbery are types of theft
h. The carnival represents only one group or community in London –
Answer: False – it represented the multicultural aspect of London, many different types of people and communities
Vocabulary – Worksheet C
Before doing the writing follow up exercise, you should do the vocabulary exercise – worksheet C
You can do this in three ways.
a. Hand out Worksheet C
b. Put the items from Worksheet C on the board
c. Mingle activity.
• Cut up the words and definitions into individual pieces of paper
• Give each student a word or two.
• Distribute the definitions around the class.
• The students then find the definition(s) for their word(s).
• Feed back to the board, be sure to check and drill the pronunciation.
Vocabulary answers:-
hailed as
described / called
To deal with something
to take action about something
Residential area
a place many people live
Steward
someone who helps control a big event
Paraded
walked in a public procession
Lined the route
stood next to the path of the parade
Glimpse
a quick look
Sound system
something that plays music in a public place
Pick-pocketing
stealing from someone’s pockets
Ill founded
unjustified / without good reason
Writing – Worksheet B
It is a good idea for students to work on the planning stages of this writing in
pairs or threes.
Refer the students to the writing advice on Worksheet B
ANALYSIS
This plan demonstration was a great opportunity to teach and express different aspects related to culture because topic was focused on a carnival from London. It plans allowed students to compare some similar aspects to Costarican culture as clothes, accessories, make up, music, instruments, etc.
On the other hand, those activities were emphasized on all abilities in order to develop all of them at the same time in our students, promoving the competence. Also this topic is authentic because we have it in Costa Rica so, it promotes interets on our pupils and they can express their personal experiences lived on those activities. Besides, the activities were related with some different methods as direct method and total physical response,so students were able to learn about reading and listenin information or they had to guess somes information to know about this carnival.
Finally, it is important to take into account that we as teachers can modified the plan in order to develop the aspects we need or to teach the topic according to the students needs.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Answers for Teacher’s Survey
*According to the question 1 “How many year have you been teaching English” five teachers answered they have taught from 6, 15, 22, 30, and 33 years.
*According to the question 2 “Which levels are you teaching” the teacher answered they are teaching from seventh to ninth, seventh to eleventh, seventh to eleventh, seventh to eighth and eighth graders.
*According to the question 3 “What is innovation for you” the teacher answered that innovation is…
To use different methods, techniques or tools in the classroom for students better understanding.
It is something new, creative.
To apply new techniques and strategies in the classroom.
To do something new and creative for the students in order to motivate them to learn English.
It is new things I don’t know and can be learn either technological or written.
*According to the question 4 “Do you consider yourself as an innovator teacher” the teacher answered…
No. I have to move to different places, so for me is so difficult to carry out extra material. I use books and flashcards but those are not innovative material at all.
Yes. I try to use my computers, presentations, new learning activities
Yes. Because I try to make ma classes in different ways, using different materials, games, stories etc, in order to catch students’ attention
Yes. Because I try to do interesting my class.
No. I’m not that proficient with modern technological tools.
*According to the question 5 “What tasks would be put in practice to achieve an innovative class” the teacher answered…
Videos, recordings, listen to natives exchanging points of view about different topics.
New activities related with dialogues, songs…
Songs, movies, videos etc.
Brainstorming to get information from my students, interactive practice in which students can improve their language.
Watching videos and they can guess what’s coming up, scaffolding and I like trying role plays.
*According to the question 6 “What are the main techniques you use to teach English” the teacher answered…
Reading comprehension, repetition, recognition of pictures or drawings, games, role plays…
Repetition of vocabulary, readings, dialogues
Pictures, realia and tapes.
*According to the question 7 “What kind of technologies do you use” the teacher answered…
None.
Computer
Tape recorder, computers,
DVDs, tv, computer, video beam
CD Player and Laptop
*According to the question 8 “Do you consider that teacher’s attitudes affect the environment in the classroom” the teacher answered…
Yes. If students have a good relationship with the teacher it is very easy to develop the teaching- learning process, but if the students are uncomfortable with the teacher they are not going to participate and they will not pay attention what the teacher is trying to teach.
Yes. Because if I arrive to classes with a negative attitude or angry, they are going to realize about that, and the environment is going to be affected.
Yes. Teachers need to be serious and strict with their teaching and friendly to increase students’ interests.
Yes. Because a wrong teacher attitude can interfere in the students attitudes too.
*According to the question 9 “What kinds of teacher’s attitudes affect the environment in the classroom” the teacher answered…
Disrespectful, disinterest, arrogance…
Superiority, to be an insolent person or using bad manners
When teachers are angry or they don’t want to answer student needs.
Bad temper, lack of communication with her/his students.
When teachers are lazy and they are not creative.
*According to the question 10 “Do you consider that student’s problems and feelings affect the environment in the classroom” the teacher answered…
Yes. Students use to behave as they feel. If they are happy, they are going to participate; but if they are sad they are not going to do it.
Yes. Students act and participate in the way they are feeling.
Yes. Because if they have problems in their houses they are going to transmit them in the class disturbing the classmates.
Yes. Because if they have problems, those problems affect student behaviors in the acquisition of knowledge.
*According to the question 11 “Are you conscious of your student’s problems and feelings” the teacher answered…
Most of the time (I think)
Mmm, sometimes
No
Yes
*According to the question 12 “Do you consider that student’s motivation affects the environment in the class”
Yes. If they are motivated in learning a new language they will participate and be interested in putting attention during class time.
Yes. Because if they really like the language, they are going to learn it, but if they do not show motivation for it, it is most difficult for they to learn it
Yes. Because if they are not motivated they won’t feel attraction to the second language
Yes. Because if they are not motivated, they don’t learn.
*According to the question 1 “How many year have you been teaching English” five teachers answered they have taught from 6, 15, 22, 30, and 33 years.
*According to the question 2 “Which levels are you teaching” the teacher answered they are teaching from seventh to ninth, seventh to eleventh, seventh to eleventh, seventh to eighth and eighth graders.
*According to the question 3 “What is innovation for you” the teacher answered that innovation is…
To use different methods, techniques or tools in the classroom for students better understanding.
It is something new, creative.
To apply new techniques and strategies in the classroom.
To do something new and creative for the students in order to motivate them to learn English.
It is new things I don’t know and can be learn either technological or written.
*According to the question 4 “Do you consider yourself as an innovator teacher” the teacher answered…
No. I have to move to different places, so for me is so difficult to carry out extra material. I use books and flashcards but those are not innovative material at all.
Yes. I try to use my computers, presentations, new learning activities
Yes. Because I try to make ma classes in different ways, using different materials, games, stories etc, in order to catch students’ attention
Yes. Because I try to do interesting my class.
No. I’m not that proficient with modern technological tools.
*According to the question 5 “What tasks would be put in practice to achieve an innovative class” the teacher answered…
Videos, recordings, listen to natives exchanging points of view about different topics.
New activities related with dialogues, songs…
Songs, movies, videos etc.
Brainstorming to get information from my students, interactive practice in which students can improve their language.
Watching videos and they can guess what’s coming up, scaffolding and I like trying role plays.
*According to the question 6 “What are the main techniques you use to teach English” the teacher answered…
Reading comprehension, repetition, recognition of pictures or drawings, games, role plays…
Repetition of vocabulary, readings, dialogues
Pictures, realia and tapes.
*According to the question 7 “What kind of technologies do you use” the teacher answered…
None.
Computer
Tape recorder, computers,
DVDs, tv, computer, video beam
CD Player and Laptop
*According to the question 8 “Do you consider that teacher’s attitudes affect the environment in the classroom” the teacher answered…
Yes. If students have a good relationship with the teacher it is very easy to develop the teaching- learning process, but if the students are uncomfortable with the teacher they are not going to participate and they will not pay attention what the teacher is trying to teach.
Yes. Because if I arrive to classes with a negative attitude or angry, they are going to realize about that, and the environment is going to be affected.
Yes. Teachers need to be serious and strict with their teaching and friendly to increase students’ interests.
Yes. Because a wrong teacher attitude can interfere in the students attitudes too.
*According to the question 9 “What kinds of teacher’s attitudes affect the environment in the classroom” the teacher answered…
Disrespectful, disinterest, arrogance…
Superiority, to be an insolent person or using bad manners
When teachers are angry or they don’t want to answer student needs.
Bad temper, lack of communication with her/his students.
When teachers are lazy and they are not creative.
*According to the question 10 “Do you consider that student’s problems and feelings affect the environment in the classroom” the teacher answered…
Yes. Students use to behave as they feel. If they are happy, they are going to participate; but if they are sad they are not going to do it.
Yes. Students act and participate in the way they are feeling.
Yes. Because if they have problems in their houses they are going to transmit them in the class disturbing the classmates.
Yes. Because if they have problems, those problems affect student behaviors in the acquisition of knowledge.
*According to the question 11 “Are you conscious of your student’s problems and feelings” the teacher answered…
Most of the time (I think)
Mmm, sometimes
No
Yes
*According to the question 12 “Do you consider that student’s motivation affects the environment in the class”
Yes. If they are motivated in learning a new language they will participate and be interested in putting attention during class time.
Yes. Because if they really like the language, they are going to learn it, but if they do not show motivation for it, it is most difficult for they to learn it
Yes. Because if they are not motivated they won’t feel attraction to the second language
Yes. Because if they are not motivated, they don’t learn.
Friday, June 4, 2010
DEFINING EDUCATIONAL INNOVATION
If we have to imagine about English classes many time ago we can say that it was a kind of difficult to learn a second language because educator’s purpose were just to understand texts, sentences ,etc. However, teachers are implementing new techniques and methods because they are interested on their students needs; it means that educators understand that English as language is very useful and necessary.
On the other hand, innovation has been a little difficult because schools and high schools do not have equipment or technology to be applied, so students are sometimes limited to use it.
The innovation is necessary if we want to have changes in our classes and it is a possibility that we have to break daily routines and it will be a great opportunity for our students to promote their communication.
On the other hand, innovation has been a little difficult because schools and high schools do not have equipment or technology to be applied, so students are sometimes limited to use it.
The innovation is necessary if we want to have changes in our classes and it is a possibility that we have to break daily routines and it will be a great opportunity for our students to promote their communication.
Importance of Innovation
Nowadays our education has received information from many people, this information is necessary and useful in English departments and it is according to the needs students have.
In education teachers must take into account that innovation is necessary because students need to have more different ways to break daily routines catching student’s attention, also it is a good way to change environment in the classroom, for that reason teacher must implement new techniques, strategies, methods and approaches.
On the other hand, it is important that educators want to be changing their minds, because most of the time teachers who are working since many years ago do not want to learn new ways to teach because they think that it is not necessary because they have all they need to share. So, teachers must be changing every single day, it does not matter if we have to learn new things…………
In education teachers must take into account that innovation is necessary because students need to have more different ways to break daily routines catching student’s attention, also it is a good way to change environment in the classroom, for that reason teacher must implement new techniques, strategies, methods and approaches.
On the other hand, it is important that educators want to be changing their minds, because most of the time teachers who are working since many years ago do not want to learn new ways to teach because they think that it is not necessary because they have all they need to share. So, teachers must be changing every single day, it does not matter if we have to learn new things…………
Friday, May 21, 2010
I’m a Teacher
I’m a Teacher
When somebody decides to be a teacher does not think about all needs that students have. Also most of the teachers believe that they must teach their subject and that’s all, they do not take into account that many children or teenagers are going to ask them for help as guide or friend. So, we as teachers must pay really attention on recognized educators as Anne Sullivan in order to learn some important aspects about her personal life and experiences such as: family context and education.
Sullivan’ life represents a different or uncommon childhood. When we are children most of the time we spend our time doing different activities or playing a lot of time, but Anne Sullivan shows us how our life can change so fast. Sullivan lost her mother younger and she had to take care of her father because he was very sick. Sullivan’s attitudes were so honorable because she showed to be very responsible. She must be admired to help her family when they needed and something incredible was that she never thought how to abandon her relatives; she stayed next to them when they needed. So, in that case everybody can understand that our family is very important because they gave us support, help, love and other things that human beings need to grow.
On the other hand, it is necessary to know how education can make good changes in our minds. Anne Sullivan is a real example in our life because she had health problems she was almost blind, but it does not matter because this problem was not an obstacle for her, doctors did her a lot of surgeries in order to make necessary corrections on her eyes. She suffered but those problems did her so sensible to her students, for that reason, Anne identified her personal experience with Helen Keller, so she decided to help her in order to increase her education. In addition, it is important to take into account that vocation is very useful in each people to facilitate their jobs because it makes our responsibility soft.
As a general conclusion, Anne Sullivan is a moral lesson because we can learn that most of the time teachers do not accept their responsibilities and sometimes those educators just work to earn money not to help students. Besides, we must recognize that our purpose as teachers is to share our knowledge with those people who desire to learn and increase their comprehension or information.
When somebody decides to be a teacher does not think about all needs that students have. Also most of the teachers believe that they must teach their subject and that’s all, they do not take into account that many children or teenagers are going to ask them for help as guide or friend. So, we as teachers must pay really attention on recognized educators as Anne Sullivan in order to learn some important aspects about her personal life and experiences such as: family context and education.
Sullivan’ life represents a different or uncommon childhood. When we are children most of the time we spend our time doing different activities or playing a lot of time, but Anne Sullivan shows us how our life can change so fast. Sullivan lost her mother younger and she had to take care of her father because he was very sick. Sullivan’s attitudes were so honorable because she showed to be very responsible. She must be admired to help her family when they needed and something incredible was that she never thought how to abandon her relatives; she stayed next to them when they needed. So, in that case everybody can understand that our family is very important because they gave us support, help, love and other things that human beings need to grow.
On the other hand, it is necessary to know how education can make good changes in our minds. Anne Sullivan is a real example in our life because she had health problems she was almost blind, but it does not matter because this problem was not an obstacle for her, doctors did her a lot of surgeries in order to make necessary corrections on her eyes. She suffered but those problems did her so sensible to her students, for that reason, Anne identified her personal experience with Helen Keller, so she decided to help her in order to increase her education. In addition, it is important to take into account that vocation is very useful in each people to facilitate their jobs because it makes our responsibility soft.
As a general conclusion, Anne Sullivan is a moral lesson because we can learn that most of the time teachers do not accept their responsibilities and sometimes those educators just work to earn money not to help students. Besides, we must recognize that our purpose as teachers is to share our knowledge with those people who desire to learn and increase their comprehension or information.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)