Its name sounds abit tacky, but I thought this website offers a pretty wide range of teaching ideas that are quite practical in our local school context, and contains tons of links and suggestions to books/films/etc. that may be helpful teaching resources. They are mostly based on literature texts categorised by genre. Here are some of the classroom activities I thought we could adapt for use in our classrooms in future. (:
“Tampering with Tone” (under Nonfiction > I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings > Teaching Ideas)
This activity raises students’ sensitivity to language by drawing attention to the tone of selected passages from a text. This activity can be used to teach tone/mood/atmosphere in set texts or for practical criticism, and can be used to teach vocabulary in an English lesson.
“Masking Intents” (under Teaching Ideas)
Based on character analyses done prior to the lesson, students are to design a mask for one character and explain their designs. It is an interesting way to teach how each reader will interpret a text differently. The “mask” concept can be replaced by a “crystal ball” or “mirror” and can add depth to class discussion.
“Reading Log Hand-out” (under Teaching Ideas)
“The idea is not only to get students hooked on reading, but to get them hooked on being thoughtful about what they read.” The reflection questions may not demand students to evaluate the book like in practical criticism, but they demand that students give thoughtful responses to what they have read. It is a good reading scheme to introduce for lower-secondary/ability students.
The ideas on the site are pretty specific, but hope it helps to keep our creative juices flowing when we try to conjure up interesting but meaningful literature lessons for our kids. :)
http://www.edb.utexas.edu/resources/booksR4teens/
Xiaohui
If this was a Facebook link I'd *like* it... Thanks Xiaohui! I can also see this being used for a reading program in E Lang or Lang Arts.
ReplyDeleteSomething like this - http://www.edb.utexas.edu/resources/booksR4teens/book_reviews/book_reviews.php?book_id=62 - the entry on Carol Ann Duffy's anthology of poems for "young feminists" comes with media connections and magazines, and I can so totally imagine this being used for a class on feminism.
Hi Xiaohui,
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of “Masking Intents”. It would be so cool to make a mask out of the characters we are studying, we or the students are probably going to come out with many different interpretations and designs. The class will be so 'colourful' after that. *thinking of masquerade parties*
Hehe,
Kai
Hey Xiaohui,
ReplyDeleteThese are some really great ideas. I especially liked the idea of tampering with tones. Tone is an aspect of the subject that is relatively difficult to teach. Thus, activities like this will inevitably make the process easier for the students and the teachers.
Rathiy