Saturday, March 25, 2006

ELL Strategies

I recently attended a training on ELL Strategies and here are a few tips:

Incorporate hands-on activities to demonstrate concepts - When students can experience and observe the process, their learning is more meaningful and concrete.

Visual Aids - Visual aids give the ELL students visual cues which help clarify meaning and solidify learning

Allow sufficient wait time - Ell students need additional time to formulate their answers in English. After a question, give them some time to think about the question before they respond.

Prepare outlines for lectures - I have been using this a lot with my ELL students and it has helped them a lot to follow along in class. It also helps them for their review

Reading strategies - Concept Mapping and Outlining helps the ELL students understand the material better.

Do not let them be embarassed in class - Most ELL students go through a silent phase. Forcing students to speak may make them embarrassed and overly self-conscious

Friday, March 24, 2006

Why do we procrastinate?

One of my biggest problem is procrastination. I don't know but I really have a tendency to put things off at the last minute. Somehow, I have trained myself to work only under pressure. This may work but it is certainly very stressful and unhealthy. I really wonder why this is one habit that is so hard to break. These are some of the reasons why we procrastinate according to Peter Murphy ( 7 Ways You Avoid Success)


1. Perfectionism.

If it's not going to be perfect then it is better not to do it at all. I am sometimes guilty of this. I usually analyze things too much that most of my time and energy is used in analyzing which will be perfect. Whether it is on lesson planning or any project. Bottom line, nothing is done.

2. Fantasizing.

I have met people who can talk about things that they plan on doing which can really knock your socks off for its gradiosity. However, it's just that. Dreams and Fantasies.

3. Fear.
Fear is something that causes me to procrastinate. Fear of failure, fear that the lesson may not be fun and interesting and other kinds of fear that just numbs my brain from being creative.

4. Crisis Maker.

This is me. I used to think that I am better in doing things under pressure but apparently it is not true. I usually wait until around 8-9pm to start doing schoolwork and before I know it, I am already so stressed out that I don't want to do anything anymore or I just do something so I won't feel guilty. Both of these behaviors certainly didn't bring out good results.

5. Angry.

Some procrastinates because they feel bad about doing a task. They are mad that they are being required or asked to do something that they don't like to do.

6. Overdoing things.

There are people who tends to do more than they should and in so doing loses time to do the more important things.

7. Pleasure Seeking.

This person just doesn't want to do anything that entails effort on his part. Everything is all about fun.

Friday or Caffeine?

It's Friday! What more can be better than that? I haven't really understood the value of weekends and the effect it has on people's moods until I came to America. I used to wonder when I watch foreign movies why weekends are a big deal. Now I am one of those who really look forward to these precious two days. My students have been commenting that I am the "coolest" teacher on Fridays. Maybe it's the aura or the smile that doesn't fade away or just the positivity that exudes from within. I'm amazed how nothing fazed me. Not even the student who kept on whining because he got only one piece of the muffin we made today nor the fact that some of them are talking while we watch a movie after cooking. I just felt and act great. Looking back, it might be the caffeine too. I had coffee this morning which is not normal for me and I bought one of those powerade drinks. It sure made me a little bit perky. Friday or coffee, it won't matter now. The day was a great one. A great Friday indeed.