Submitted by Ben Johnson <author> (not verified) on April 6, 2008 - 07:29.
Taking the Time Back:
Engaging the students is the very first thing a teacher has to do. The faster that happens in the classroom, the easier the lesson goes. As a Spanish teacher I did journal writing to help the students in very similar ways to yours. The prompts for the student writing, came from Spanish refrains, sayings, and words of wisdom. This was a double benefit for my students because it got them thinking in the language and it made them evaluate what they believed. It was difficult at first because the students were not accustomed to thinking figuratively (What does moss have to do with rolling stones?). After they got used to it, though, they really enjoyed it.
Prime the thinking pump
Submitted by Ben Johnson <author> (not verified) on April 6, 2008 - 07:29.
Taking the Time Back:
Engaging the students is the very first thing a teacher has to do. The faster that happens in the classroom, the easier the lesson goes. As a Spanish teacher I did journal writing to help the students in very similar ways to yours. The prompts for the student writing, came from Spanish refrains, sayings, and words of wisdom. This was a double benefit for my students because it got them thinking in the language and it made them evaluate what they believed. It was difficult at first because the students were not accustomed to thinking figuratively (What does moss have to do with rolling stones?). After they got used to it, though, they really enjoyed it.
Ben Johnson Natalia, TX