Final Post - 3 Unit Ideas!

The unit I have decided to present is "Musique Mania".  This is an FSL unit that would be typically delivered to a Grade 9 or 10 class.  The unit focuses on a set vocabulary list that involves musical instruments, styles and artists.  The unit also teaches several grammar concepts including 'les superlatifs', 'le passé composé' and 'l'accord des adjectifs'. The final project for this unit that we would be working towards would be a storytelling presentation of a scenario that could take place in a clothing store.

Strategy #1 - Prezi Introduction 

I created a Prezi presentation using slides originally from Powerpoint.  This is a presentation that I could show any class at the beginning of the year and at the start of the first unit.  It introduces me to the students and shows them, visually, a bit about myself.  I envision using this Prezi at the start of each school year, always updating the original.

Vancouver! on Prezi

Strategy #2 - Audioboo Podcast

I really liked the Podcast approach to introducing vocabulary.  A large problem in FSL is pronunciation.  When the FSL students are surrounded by other non-Francophones, often pronunciation errors catch on like a virus!  When the closest-to-perfect pronunciation is available through only the teacher, it would be very helpful to have a model constantly available online for students to refer to.  

In this sample, I play instrument audio clips where students hear the instrument, they must determine what the instrument is and say the name aloud. There is enough time on the recording that the teacher will then reappear and give the answer.  Afterwards, space is left again on the recording for students to practice their pronunciation again.  

After practicing a few times with Garageband it seems like posting Podcasts online becomes easier and easier.  I envision using this within my FSL classes mainly for pronunciation practice but also getting students to record themselves speaking.

listen to ‘Nous pratiquons: Les instruments musicales’ on Audioboo

Strategy #3 - Xtranormal Project

This storytelling program allows users to insert any text (in many languages) and have the text come alive through avatars.  The basic program is free and allows you to change the setting, characters, actions, camera angles and facial expressions.  You are able to choose from over 30 different languages or accents and then put everything together, like a storyboard, to produce your final movie result.  

I would like to use this program in the future as a 'final project' option in lieu of the traditional 'perform a skit in front of the class'.  Within this unit I would ask students to come up with a dialogue between 2 or more people that includes unit-specific vocabular and grammar concepts.  

Honey Boo Boo Child - Musique Mania
by: mmeworkun

Reading #9 - BYOD Teachers...(Bearden, 2012)

One of the examples that Bearden mentioned in her text was a teacher who was surprised when a student asked to take a picture of something on the board instead of taking notes.  I encountered a very similar situation during my practicum when I asked my students to take out their agendas to write down the homework for the evening.  A couple students approached the board and pulled out their phones to take pictures of the 'homework list'.  I was confused at first and then understood!  What a change in the way students learn and keep organized!

I agree, as well, that when devices are permitted in the classroom students are less likely to use them inappropriately.  When students feel as though they are 'trusted' by the teacher I think, in order to maintain the trust and benefits, the majority will abide by the rules.

My first Prezi!

Vancouver! on Prezi

Reading #8 - Powerpointlessness (Brown, 2011)

I consistently used Powerpoints during my practicum.  They formed the basis upon which I taught new grammar concepts and delivered outlines of minor and major projects.  What I really like about Powerpoint is the fact that you can create it beforehand and it provides a chronological path that you can follow to make sure that you hit on all your key points that you wish to address.  I also like Powerpoints because you can use written and visual supports to assist in student comprehension of your lectures.

Some ways that I hoped would improve the effectiveness of my Powerpoints included...

• minimizing the text on my slides
• using similar fonts and presentation patterns for all grammar concepts 
• 'theming' my Powerpoints (i.e. presenting 'les adjectifs possessifs' through pictures and sentence examples related to Harry Potter).  I found that this engaged my students.

I also realize how Powerpoint can be incredibly time consuming and I do not think it would be possible to continue the quantity/quality of powerpoint examples I used in practicum during my future full-time teaching career.  I will have to be more selective of what I choose to present using Powerpoint.

I have been a student in classes, however, where Powerpoint was not used effectively.  As the author of the blog pointed out, these Powerpoints included too much text and were poorly organized.  I also had the chance to be a student in a course where an instructor repeated verbatim what was listed on her slides.  This created a terribly boring atmosphere where the 'boring' content was not being improved AT ALL by seeing the content twice (both verbally and in written format).

Google Powerpoint - Les superlatifs

Below I have uploaded a Google Powerpoint presentation on the subject of 'les superlatifs'.  This is a Powerpoint I would use in a FSL 9 or 10 class.

Google Form

Below is a Google Form I created that could be used at the beginning of the school year with a new FSL class.

Google Document

I have uploaded a sample Google Document. This Google Doc is a assignment outline that would be handed out before students begin their work on a final project for a 'clothing unit'.