PAG's Teacher Blog

Speaking Assignments with the Record Button! Dun-dun-duuuuuuuuun 😨. Sounds intimidating, but it's really not! I am thankful our LMS has a built-in record function for students to use for audio or video clips. If a student says they don't have video or audio recording functions on their laptop, nope! It's right there in the assignment next to the upload button. Also, the LMS record function holds a substantial amount of time/info, which was a surprise. As with anything new, there can be a bit of resistance from some students. However, demonstrating how to use the record button and reassuring students that I was the only person who'd see/listen to their submissions helped alleviate hesitancy. When I was a kid, I didn't get choices in my schoolwork, so I enjoy giving students a chance to pick how they show what they know; adding the record option has been a great addition, especially for students who may be shy in class participation. The record function has given stu...

 Thinking about how I select key words for instructional purpose & would Kalamity be useful for middle schoolers? During our listing of vocabulary words, I realized that I organized terms based on how they connect to other words (i.e., cluster - pathway, internship - apprenticeship) in order to help students understand their meanings. I also introduce key words based on their continuation in units; most key words introduced in semester 1 will be used throughout the year. I would need to use Kalamity more in order to feel confident recommending it for students. I tried adding "pathway"& couldn't save the word (?). I would have to ensure students had a cell phone and were able to download an app for school. It can be a challenge getting students onto Classkick, but maybe a phone app would be easier?

Contemplating the results of the activities today, consider what these objectives mean for your instruction. How will you start incorporating them into your CCs and assignments? Language Objective and what does it mean instructionally?      I try to be intentional with new vocabulary. Students may have heard these terms before, but they are "new" in the sense that we are connecting the terms with associated careers. The objective is for students to recognize 2 terms, so I need to devise a way for students to grasp what these terms mean so we define, simplify, and engage. I include examples and demonstrate how to complete and submit assignments. For example, in Journalism & Broadcasting, we learn what journalism and broadcasting mean by reading the Oxford dictionary definition. Then, a student or I simplify. Once students grasp both terms, they "become" journalists and/or broadcasters using any topic that interests them . When possible,  I try to give studen...