Humm. What can I say about last week ...
Well we started class by installing several software on our laptops : Audacity and Free screen to video (for those who didn't do it at home) but also "FreeMind". "FreeMind" allows us to organize our ideas. All you have to do is to add nodes and write down what's on your mind. In order to get used to it we did a brainstorm on the characteristics of a good story and a main character after watching pictures of different characters (cartoons/human portraits) . But also on the benefits of reading story to children (after browsing through a document on Edmodo).
The main characteristics we noted down are:
For the story
- Basic and specific vocabulary, short and simple sentences
- simple storyline
- lively, illustrated
- moral (?)
For the character (s)
- an imaginary character
- pay attention to physical attributes (slim/tall/round etc) and inner attributes (good/bad)
Facial expression is important as much as appearance (colors, clothes, posture etc...)
Benefits of reading story to children
- it's an easy way to learn
- it allows the children to develop imagination and creativity but also to predict and anticipate an event
- it develops their listen comprehension and permit them to share their opinions and expressions
- while developing their language abilities, they increase their curiosity while discovering other cultures and civilization
We did most of this work while recording our voices to help Mrs K. Thapliyal in her research (though I doubt I was useful because I really have difficulties in speaking loud!! Not my fault ...)
What else ... ?
Concerning collaboration, we've decided that each week we would start working from Thursday (because the first days of the week we are very busy). And concerning language improvement I learnt a new word: a stubble :) Thanks to our new classmate from London (Sorry, I can't remember her name!)
Thank you Janette for this great post :)
ReplyDeleteI have nothing to add :)
Just that, we also read an article that had arguments about why story telling was so important in a learning environmental for a kid ! It helped me realize how we need to create the need in a child for learning ! For example, we need to create a certain mood, need (questions, suspense etc) so that the child would be more open in receiving the information !
Teaching is like a game :) a bigger story, not only a lesson or something you want to bluntly communicate to others, you also need to work on the form, on how to give it :)
It's like a gift :) We are more exited when we see a colorful and pretty package, we desire even more the gift than when the gift is crudely given...
Foodforthought :)
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DeleteI agree with all what you say! Except for " Teaching is like a game" ! But I got your point :)
ReplyDeleteWhy not ? isn't it fun ^^ ? Why wouldn't it be ?
ReplyDeleteYes it's "fun" ! But to me education doesn't always have to be "fun" because "fun" is link with "distraction". A game can be just "fun" (the kids will enjoy it) but you, as a teacher might not attend the learning goals of the classroom! So this is why I said that I disagree when you say "Teaching is like a game". Games are good but not any games ;)
ReplyDelete