Week 4 is almost over and I’m feeling dead
tired with so many test papers to correct and grade and our tasks here.
My new routine has been as follows: Mondays
and Tuesdays are for readings; Tuesdays night for posting in the discussion and
then only on Thursday night and on Fridays do I manage to focus on the course
again. Along the way, one or two sleepless nights, which make me feel a bit,
should I say, “stoned”.
In spite of such work overload, by now, I
have already accomplished almost all tasks: I have left on Nicenet our weekly
discussion post and have also commented on other participants’ posts; then the
second task was to create a technology-enhanced lesson plan which I will be
using soon; thirdly there is/was project task, a step further for our final
project and this blog post. Yet there are still comments to write to your blogposts,
which I’ll be pleased to make as soon as I finish mine.
Nevertheless, I must admit all has been
fantastic and believe me I’m honest. I particularly enjoyed the readings this
week once reading itself has been one of my life mottos. I have always been a
reader and then a reading mother – I can proudly tell you that I have two sons
who are as avid readers as I am (in Portuguese and in English!);
»» Infographic on how to get children to love Reading
(please click here to read the article and the info on the infrographic)
(please click here to read the article and the info on the infrographic)
at school, I
have promoted a lot of reading activities among my students and with other
students at school and have, in the meantime, published some articles and made some
presentations. If interested, please click here,
here,
here
and here;
in this padlet, myself, colleagues
and students have also been posting their book recommendations for a while also
using different web2.0 tools.
Now, off to test correction! Hope to come back soon to read your comments ;)
Greetings from Portugal,
Alex
Hi Alex,
ReplyDeleteWhat a teacher! What a mother! and What a reader! It becomes really demanding as we approach the mid of the course. And because I know how busy are you, I post as early as I can to allow you to comment and finish this part of tghe assignment once you are free. :) Amazing site. About infografic I talk. I added it directly to my bookmarks. I like how texts accompany graphics. Although I read an article there about how learning styles become a myth, I admire the variety and options the site offers the reader to either listen to audio stories-thus enjoy storytelling- or read graphic novels. An excellent point also when helping students to read is to arouse their critical thinking by asking them to watch a film about the book compare which is better and why and discuss ideas and values after reading. I like also the tips about how comfortable and relaxing should be the reading environment. The graphic you attached to your blog here tells much and is very expressive. You are not only an avid reader, you are also a strategic one. May I give you a hand in correcting your papers?
Greetings from Egypt
Amira
Dear AMira,
DeleteThanks for your concern! I am definitely very busy with so many tests to correct and my children are also doing them at school and I have to be nearby ;) Besides, the course tasks get more and more demanding which means there is not much time for anything else. I wish I could have some help, yes, but these are all things I have to do on my own.
I have always enjoyed reading, have always read to my children and the oldest one already reads full books in English just like in Portuguese; the youngest one, reads in Portuguese and I still read aloud to him in English. The facts are now: Besides the new books I buy and they are offered, I have to borrow books from libraries because there is not enough money to buy so many books; I buy for myself second-hand books because they are cheaper; my two children have excellent grades in English. Couldn't be prouder, don't you think?
Thank you, Amira, for being there. Best greetings from Portugal,
Alex
Hello Yuliya,
ReplyDeleteEhEhEh, I simply let myself go... do you know that meme / poster "Keep Calm and pretend this is on the lesson plan"? That's what I do. I want engaged and committed students. I am there for them, and if there is learning taking place, why not "go"?
Hope we keep in touch after the course is over - all of us!
Greetings from Portugal,
Alex
Like all the poeple around you, your family, your neighbours, your friends and colleagues, your students, we, your coursemates are lucky; no lucky is not the term I want to use this time; BLESSED, yes, blessed to have you around. I hope that one day we can get to meet and know each other physically. I just don't know how you manage to touch the heart of everyone in this course. In spite of the time constraints you yourself are suffering from, you still manage to devote your attention to all of us. And it is worth it.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you,
Karim
Dear Karim,
DeleteYour words mean a lot to me. Thank you!
I would really love to keep in touch with all after the end of the course, and for those who live closer, namely you, I would love to meet in person - you and your families. Who knows? It wouldn't be the first time :)
Best greetings,
Alex
Well, , week 4 is ending. I learnt a lot of new stuff this week&I taught a poem using tech.I still haven't finished the unit.I normally begin with reading, text level, word level, sentence level&finally I assess Listening, Speaking/Writing. I use Vocabulary for Spelling assessment. I also got new sites from my fellow teachers&am grateful for all of those who are sharing. It also opened my eyes to challenges facing all of us, whether technology wise or language learning. Adults too have difficulties in learning. My kids aren't shy in speaking. The way to learn a language is exposure to it.This is my advice&encourage reading different types of books. Have s nice weekend. Mine is over. Karima
ReplyDeleteThanks s lot for all the materials you keep sharing&the ideas. It's difficult to try to balance between teacherhood&motherhood. The secret is to be both st different times. Nice blog.Karima
ReplyDeleteHi Karima,
DeleteYep, tell me about it!!! Mother and teacher at home; Teacher at school and so often mother as well...
As for the materials, I'm glad to share and be useful.
Greetings from Portugal,
Alex
Dear Alex,
ReplyDeleteWhen I read your blog I felt really happy even at the thought that we are on the same boat. Hope week 5 will be really fun and even in the midst of business we can continue the Webskills tasks.
- Proggna
Hi Proggna,
DeleteWeek 5 will be fun and veryyyyyyyyyyyyyy hard working. We'll manage, as usual ;) I'l start the reading tonight so that Tuesday or Wednesday I can post somenthing on Nicenet. The other tasks will follow but probably only by Friday.
Have a great week. Greetings from Portugal,
Alex