Reflection #5

I can't believe the semester is already over. Looking back, I've really benefited from this class and feel that all teachers should take this course; even if they are not planning to teach an L2. Over the last two class periods, everyone had been sharing their activities/ lesson plans. This aspect of the class has really solidified everything we're learned into one tangible unit for me. Getting to see real life examples, implementing techniques we have learned in LLT, really helped me connect this class to my future. A few of my favorite activities were: the months of the year song/ activity, the To Kill a Mockingbird activity, and the weather meter activity.

Each activity was different in its own way, had a different target population, and taught a variety of different subjects, but still focused on SIOP methods and other ESL teaching techniques. It was great to see so many different ways this class can be implemented into an actual classroom setting. In the future I want to use some of these other activities in my classroom. I want to teach in an elementary/ middle school special education classroom; where students will need additional help learning English, even if it is their L1. Using hands on art activities (like the weather meter activity) would really help students with special needs. The songs from the “months of the year” song would also be a great way to teach my students the months of the year; in a novel way! The “To Kill a Mockingbird” activity would be good to build off of and adapt for students with disabilities. Content and language should come first when teaching a lesson; which was explicitly incorporated into all of the example activities.

Next class period, I’m going to write down the class’s sample activities, so I can use them as a future reference.