Classroom Activities

These activities may be changed as the term progresses. In this class, we will be very flexible to accomodate the needs and learning styles of the students.

Other specific class activities such as readings, field trips, guest speakers, and films will be announced. This class schedule will be updated frequently.

For updates, see Weekly Activities on our web page at:

http://www.oocities.org/violsen/esl.html

Remember: Your task this term is to create a book that depicts the story of your life or someone else's life. It can also be a work of fiction. Your book will be published.

The activities below will help you develop each chapter in your book and become "a master student" at the same time. Let's have fun this summer!

Things to Do Outside Class

(Our "homework" or things to do outside of class will be determined at the end of each class session, depending on individual needs or group projects.)

TIPS FOR SUCCESS:

• Read one article or story per week to develop vocabulary and improve spelling. Bring articles to class to share with your classmates and to use in discussion.
• Keep a Learning Journal. Use the electronic mail system or write in a spiral notebook. Write letters to the tutors or to me. Write to each other, or write just for yourself. The idea is to write something every day.
• Our goal is to be successful college students. Read the article: "What Do Successful Learners Do?" by Ruth Stiehl, Ed. D. Go to: http://www.oocities.org/violsen/ruthstiehl.html
• Use the spaces below to plan or schedule your projects and homework assignments.

• Theme: GettingAcquainted. What do we want? Why are we here?
• Review course syllabus and create a course map.
• Collaborative learning and what that means.
• Create learning teams for participation in (a) Study skills activities (b) On-line Language Lab (c) Writing and peer editing (d) Set up writing portfolios
• Plan our storybook.
• First writing sample (First chapter in storybook.)
• Work on specific skills with tutor.

Sign up for "The Road to Success Film Series" with Vi.

Plan outside activities and Wednesday night sessions with Marta.

• Theme: "Building our Learning Community" Who am I in relation to my community.
• (The Twenty- Square Exercise) - 50 minutes.
• Learning to ask questions.
• Second writing sample. Second chapter in storybook.
• Work on specific skills with tutor.

• Theme: Identity: "Who Am I?" collage.
• Questions and Dialogue
• Team presentations of collage with one mentor per group.
• Peer reading
• Third writing sample. Third chapter in storybook.
• Work on specific skills with tutor.

• Theme: Connections: "Where have I been; where am I going?" - Creating a Road Map.
• Dialogue.
• Presentation of Road Map with one mentor per group.
• Fourth writing sample. Fourth chapter in storybook.
• Work on specific skills with tutor.

• Theme: Challenges: Why Education?
• Newspaper Articles on minorities education. Dialogue (Taba Questions as framework)
• Fifth writing sample.
• Work on specific skills.

• Theme: College Success
• Read article from David Ellis - Characteristics of a Master Student - (A Jigsaw activity)
• Discussion in small groups and team presentations to whole class
• Holistic exam practice
• Pronunciation with Ruth

• Theme: Our role in society
• Multicultural panel discussion
• More writing practice to prepare for Holistic Exam.

• Work on Portflios and storybooks.
• Take Holistic Writing Exam
• Read our books and Celebrate!