Recycle it!Recycle it!

Lessons and Learning in Lessons and Learning in beginning ESLbeginning ESL

My AssumptionsMy Assumptions

• Students comprehend more when Students comprehend more when learning is connected to the outside learning is connected to the outside worldworld

• By using authentic materials, It is By using authentic materials, It is possible to introduce more possible to introduce more content content earlier in the ESL pathway.earlier in the ESL pathway.

• RecyclingRecycling a larger theme/topic a larger theme/topic throughout the quarter would create throughout the quarter would create more interest and connections with the more interest and connections with the language. language.

problem posing- Students problem posing- Students generated a lot of questions and generated a lot of questions and possible solutions! possible solutions!

We used their work to create the We used their work to create the PowerPoint (student generated PowerPoint (student generated script is included in the script is included in the curriculum handout). curriculum handout).

•

Please help us!Please help us!

We are collecting paper, aluminum We are collecting paper, aluminum cans, and cardboard in our classroomcans, and cardboard in our classroom

We are going to take everything the We are going to take everything the recycling center!recycling center!

Thank you Thank you

• This has been an ESL level 1 and This has been an ESL level 1 and level 2 productionlevel 2 production

The Field TripThe Field Trip

We sorted and weighed our recycling. We sorted and weighed our recycling. We gathered 50lbs or paper and 1lb of We gathered 50lbs or paper and 1lb of aluminum to take to the recycling aluminum to take to the recycling center.center.

Digital Camera Scavenger Digital Camera Scavenger HuntHunt

Find a sign that has information about the place you are Find a sign that has information about the place you are visiting and take a picture.visiting and take a picture.

Find a warning signFind a warning sign

Look for a sign that gives information and take a Look for a sign that gives information and take a

picturepicture..

Take a picture of your Take a picture of your classmate. classmate.

Take a picture of something you can Take a picture of something you can recycle.recycle.

Find an employee and ask if you can Find an employee and ask if you can take their picture.take their picture.

ResultResult

• Increased confidence observed- especially in oral Increased confidence observed- especially in oral communicationcommunication

• Increase noted in (strands of reading) Increase noted in (strands of reading) vocabulary/alphabetics/ comprehension/fluencyvocabulary/alphabetics/ comprehension/fluency

• Change in classroom behavior!Change in classroom behavior!• Retention or studentsRetention or students• average reading gain 4.9average reading gain 4.9 average listening gain 5.8average listening gain 5.8the highest gains were in level 1the highest gains were in level 1

We had fun and learned a lot about the power of We had fun and learned a lot about the power of making choices!making choices!

Sustainable Walla Walla

Our goal should be to leave nothing for someone else to

clean up.

www.sustainablelivingcenter.com

Principles of Paulo Freire’s Problem Principles of Paulo Freire’s Problem PosingPosingused in the creation of this Unit.used in the creation of this Unit.• Principles for successPrinciples for success• Learning goes from whole to partLearning goes from whole to part• Classes are student centeredClasses are student centered• Learning is meaningful and Learning is meaningful and

purposefulpurposeful• Learning takes place in social Learning takes place in social

interactioninteraction• Reading, writing, speaking, Reading, writing, speaking,

listening develop togetherlistening develop together• Lessons support students’ first Lessons support students’ first

language and culture- lessons language and culture- lessons integrate students prior integrate students prior knowledge.knowledge.

• Faith in the learner expands Faith in the learner expands learning potentiallearning potential

• Taken from: Freeman,Yvonee and Freeman,David .Taken from: Freeman,Yvonee and Freeman,David .ESL/EFL ESL/EFL Teaching Principles for Success.NH:Heinemann,Teaching Principles for Success.NH:Heinemann,19981998

• Problem PosingProblem Posing• The code is the whole story The code is the whole story

picture, or film.picture, or film.• The code is based on the learner’s The code is based on the learner’s

liveslives• Learners identify and solve real-Learners identify and solve real-

life problems.life problems.• Students move from talking to Students move from talking to

reading and writing about reading and writing about problems.problems.

• Lessons build on the cultural and Lessons build on the cultural and linguistic backgrounds of the linguistic backgrounds of the learners.learners.

• The goal is to empower learner- to The goal is to empower learner- to develop their faith in themselves.develop their faith in themselves.