Gaining and maintaining learner focus in the language-through-content classroom

*Rules of Engagement

* How do we increase engagement?2

*

Think for a minute:3

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* How to widen the learning gapMarshall 2009

Believe that: *Performance reflects innate intelligence*Hands-on learning is a waste of time*We should call on students who raise their hands and minimize participationof the “lows.”

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* How do we increase Engagement?

*Learning is part of everything1.Start well - 100% tuned in2.Maintain interest and focus3.Incorporate movement4.Teach and structure collaboration5.Promote higher-order thinking6.Assess as you go7.Facilitate enjoyment and laughter

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*It’s not how we cover the curriculum, but how we uncover the curriculum.

*1. Start Well – 100% participation7

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*Use “warm-ups” -- Engage learners

at the beginning of class

Handshake interview “Tricks of the Trade” (3:07): *Teacher shakes hands with each student as

they enter the room. * Then he/she asks them a question about

what they’re studying. *If the student answers the question

correctly, they enter the room. *If not, they get back in line. 3:07

*Set Clear Expectations –

*On time, in seat*Materials ready*How to motivate:*Keep a checklist. *Something good happens for those who achieve on time and prepared each day

*How to communicate:*Modeling*Pictures*Short definitions

*BE READY EVERY DAY!

*On time

*In seat

*Materials ready

*Eyes on speaker

*Comprehensible Input

*Learners can only attend to what they understand.*Check their understanding at the beginning, end, and every 10 minutes during class. *If they don’t understand, teach it another way.

*Learners answer a question or complete a short task related to the lesson in order to be able to enter/leave the room at the beginning/end of class

* Assess as you go: Entrance/Exit Ticket

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*Sample Entry/Exit Tickets

*Show me on the globe how you came to Atlanta.*Point to the thermometer*How many centimeters in a meter?*Is a carrot a fruit or a vegetable?*What is your birthday?*Which place value is this?

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*Differentiate Entry/Exit Tickets

*Change way student demonstrates: Point, draw, name, explain*Have 3 different questions

for different levels* *

2. Maintain interest and focus

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Fairness Can *Put everyone’s name on a stick. *Put the sticks in a can*Pull the sticks at random when you ask questions.

* Use strategies to keep everyone thinking and prepared

Javier

Kim

Tron

MarieMohammed

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*High-Tech versions, e.g.

Who’s Next?

Expect (a) zero noise, (b) complete attention, and (c) five eyeballs on you

Teach a signal for Instruction Time “Tricks of the Trade” (2:35)

* Teach “Zero Noise and Full Attention” for instructions

1.Move to Zero Noise2.If others around

you haven’t seen the signal, silently show it to them.

*Zero Noise Level Signal

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*Maintain Engagement through Total Participation*Everyone responds

*Increase wait time*Model Active listening: look, lean,

whisper*Teach vs. anticipate desired

responses*Structure partner interactions*Use choral responses: verbal and

physical

*3. Incorporate movement

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* Incorporatemovement

into learning

Hand Clapping: Develop hand clapping routines to teach sound patterns*Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! *Buzzards, and polecats and mules, oh my! *________, __________, and ________, oh my!* / ‘ ‘ / ‘ ‘ / , oh my

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Incorporate movement into learning:

LineupsI Have, Who HasTPR

*TPR Resources and examples

*http://www.sil.org/sites/default/files/files/introduction_to_oral_english_using_tpr.pdf*http://www.springinstitute.org/Files/tpr4.pdf*http://www.dupage.k12.il.us/_includes/servi

ces/doc/3-TOTAL%20PHYSICAL%20RESPONSE.doc*Editorial: “Tricks of the Trade”