2009年6月23日 星期二

Movie and Performance

It’s the last week of school for my senior students. On June 15, we did the Hen Skit rehearsal on the stage with simple costumes and setting. Some of my students were very talented and didn’t have any stage fright at all. We rehearsed the skit about three times as well as the song. They also gave a few feedbacks to one another.

On June 17, we went to, one senior student of mine, Mr. Wu’s home for the movie class. He has a well equipped audio-visual room for the family entertainment. We decided to move to his home for the movie class, because of the technical problems occurred in the church. But it’s just for this time; we would solve the problems before next semester starts. I was glad two thirds of the class attended. Having this extra class, I could get their feedbacks immediately for the following semester lesson plans. (Mostly, the students would be the same or we might gain a couple of new students.) After watching two times of “The Joy Luck Club” Part 1 ( The narrating introduction and the home party), they did the Activity 2 –Listening Comprehension ,Find out ten differences that you hear from the narrator, and the Activity 4-Answer these questions about this scene. (Multiple choice questions) They found these Activities were kind of difficult for their level though they did enjoy watching movies. According to their suggestions, I might give them the printed out lines of plot (offered by Professor Terry Doyle) or maybe just part of it beforehand during next semester.

On June 19, my students’ performance was the last show. It was going very well; they won lots of applause. One of other English class teachers, Christine, came ask for the Hen Skit plot and the costumes. She said she liked the performance my students did very much.

All the responses about my teaching I’ve got so far either from the students or other fellow teachers are positive. I told them that I got lots of helps and resources from my teacher Aiden Yeh in Wenzao and Professor Terry Doyle. I applied some ideas and suggestions offered by them. Not only my students improved but also I did. I’ve recorded the whole week classes and will combine them into one DVD. I’ll give one copy to Aiden and send another copy to Terry and keep the other one for myself.

Cindy R Shih

2 則留言:

  1. Hi Cindy,

    Based on everything that you have posted on your blog, it is evident that you are able to change your instructional methods depending on what you think your students' learning needs are. Now that you have implemented several lessons already, I wonder what sorts of learning improvements did you see from your students. Were there any? How did know that they have improved? What were the signs of improvement?

    Aiden

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  2. Hi, Cindy. Sorry for not responding to you earlier. I have watched your DVD, and I really enjoyed it. I can’t begin to express the nice effect it had on me. I was very impressed with your DVD: (1) your idioms lesson, (2) the way you teach Joy Luck Club, and (3) your students’ performance.
    I like your students’ use of pictures to learn idioms. It’s a great idea.
    I think it’s a great way to teach idioms. And I’m really impressed by your students. They seem so interested in your class and what you are teaching them.
    I also liked the way you taught the first scenes in Joy Luck Club. You used my exercise, but you used them in a way that was really meaningful for your students. Your students seemed to understand very well, and they asked interesting and insightful questions.
    Finally, your drama!! It was great! You did a wonderful job of motivating your students. It was very joyful experience.
    This first time I watched this DVD twice, and I still want to watch it more!!

    You know, at this time of year, I always get quite nervous about the new semester. But watching your DVD somehow made me feel much better.
    To watch another teacher teach in the way you do… you have such a warm
    relationship with your students… it really made me think, “I can try to teach this way.” Thanks so much for sharing these lessons with you. Watching your DVD
    made me feel not only really inspired, but also comfortable because I have some goal… I can try to teach the way you do … with the idioms, in the way you taught with materials I made, and possibly even the play. But that would be difficult, I know. But I plan to try. This semester, my Movie ESL class is the last class of the day, so I can try something like you have done. I can spend extra time with them after the class. My Movie ESL class is only one hour a day. It’s not enough time, so I go rather quickly. I get to know some students, but only those who ask questions usually after class. Also, some students repeat each semester, so I come to know them.

    Will you teach this class in the fall? Will you have the same, or some of the same students? I will continue to read your blog… for sure. After watching this DVD,
    I feel like I really know your class. I hope that I can also make a DVD of my class and send it to you. Or I hope I can develop my blog more, too. I have started a blog, but so far, I haven’t written much. But with the inspiration of reading your blog, I will try.

    I have something embarrassing to tell you. I received your DVD and beautiful card, but then I lost them in my room. But I know they were here somewhere. Finally, I realized I put them in a special place for safe-keeping. That’s why I didn’t respond right away. Sorry!

    I hope you have a nice summer vacation!

    Your friend and American “brother”,

    Terry

    Ps. I think your class is a great example of how to teach a Seniors’ class. You are
    the expert!!

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