Making All Children Feel Important

Giving that little bit extra, that lagniappe, as those from New Orleans would say, means so much when it comes to motivating children. Sometimes a compliment, or a happy note or email can make a great deal of difference in how children feel about themselves. There’s always something wonderful educators can say about every student.  An elementary teacher asked her students to send her digital drawings of themselves smiling and having fun—“pictures that will make me giggle and smile.” She told them, “When I see your picture, I’ll look at it every day and your smile will make me feel so good.” It’s not just elementary level children who need that something extra; middle and high school students can get down on themselves when things aren’t going well with school and/or friends. Teachers and administrators can’t solve all of the problems young people face, but they can do so much like that pat on the back, that encouraging smile, that time for extra help, that attention everyone needs and wants….

Computers VS. Teachers for ESL Students

Are teachers really needed for ESL students? Couldn’t we just have these students use computer software to learn English? After all, the software, especially if it came in story, game, or social networking format might be very engaging for students.  The question, “Can computers replace English teachers?” is being asked at TESOL  conferences. In a comment on the blog Athens Learning (Larry M. Lynch, ETL Teacher Trainer and college professor in Columbia), the answers are: “Are you kidding” and “Ain’t no way Jose.”  Even though most would agree that we need real life English teachers to interact with ESL students, teacher methods are evolving to include tech tools such as texting, video, and chat. The blog entry suggests that classrooms be linked to resources from museums, government agencies, libraries, corporations—all organizations that can provide help.

Design Your Own eLearning Courses

If you’d like to develop eLearning courses or interactivities for presentations or other learning models (Moodle, Blackboard, etc.), Raptivity can make it easier and quicker for you. The program offers a library of over 200 pre-built activities such as brainteasers, interactive questions, learning games, and simulations, which can be customized to fit your students and course content. Think 3D objects, crosswords, puzzles, videos, surveys, flipbooks, learning aids, and experiential learning, all of which you’ll be able to integrate into your lessons. You don’t have to do any programming or designing, but you’ll be able to develop Flash files of what you want to create for your students.  To learn more about Raptivity, take the video tour,  download the White Paper and/or sign up for the 14-Day trial.

Hispanic Heritage Competitions

Grades 6-8 students within Cablevision’s service area in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut have the chance to win a $5000 savings bond, a laptop computer, an iPod Touch, or a portable DVD player in the  What Does It Mean to Be a Latino Essay Contest. The essay should be no longer than 1000 works, needs to be submitted by the deadline, 11/13/09, and must follow the rules specified.

Free Webinars from Brown University’s Knowledge Loom

Upcoming topics in the Knowledge Loom series include challenges, resources, and solutions that work for teachers of English Language Learners. Archived Webinars, which include recordings of programs, slideshows, and participant materials are available on these topics: Ensure That Your Improvement Efforts are Systemic, Strategic, and Sustainable: The Strategic Mapping Process and Adolescent Literacy—Key to Raising Student Achievement in the Content Areas. A Webinar archive about evaluation as a resource in planning and funding opportunities will be posted soon. The Knowledge Loom is part of the Education Alliance, Brown University, which promotes educational change. You can signup for the newsletter, TeaTimes to receive additional information about the sessions and resources available through the Knowledge Loom.

New Online Resource for ESL and EFL students

Here is a free and well-done site that can help ESL and EFL students to learn English words and practice vocabulary. It has high quality audio, incorporates 40 topics, and features over 1,500 English words and phrases. Also good for students with language-based learning issues.