Online PLC Bet Shemesh Modiin 2021 – Scrapbook

25.1.2021

Today was the FIRST session of out PLC hishtalmut!

We started with a getting to-know each other activity:

First we had to write where we were born, and then we had to write where are we now, and connect the dots between the places.

Next, we were asked to share our expectations of the course: what do we want to learn? why are we here? what can we share?

At this point, Roberta explained the meaning of PLC– our goal work collaboratively. Hopefully, this will be a place for us to share our knowledge with each other, what works for us in our lessons, with our students, especially in these crazy days.

Later on, we split into two rooms in order to discuss the program outline– what are the most important things that we want to focus on? what we would like to have as a final assignment?

Many of us asked to focus on Module C, writing, best practice ideas, etc.

Looking forward to our next meeting. 

Thanks 🙂

8.2.2021

Today was the SECOND session of out PLC hishtalmut!

We started off the lesson with a great “which shoes would YOU chose?” activity that can be used in our classes in all different ways.

Next, we were asked to write down a case study from our own experience that we would like to discuss. We were then introduced to “De Bono’s 6 Thinking Hats.” We watched a video that gave us more concrete information about the idea.

At this point, a volunteer was asked to share their case study and we followed the protocol that we previously learned. All the participants took part in asking questions, as well as suggesting.

We then were sent to breakout rooms and one person from the group shared their case and we completed the same Case Study Protocol.

When the breakout room was over, we came back into the main room and we discussed what our Asynchronous task is (which is to write our case study). Then I, Tamar, itched my head and was chosen to complete this task :p

Looking forward to our next meeting. 

Thanks 🙂

https://sites.google.com/view/jeteachers/conference-2021

1-Class management

Introducing class rules eg: Speaking in English lessons

We watched a video and then discussed what to do & what not to do .

2- Flipgrid – an application that is great for speaking

We tried it out in class .At the end of the lesson we even had a chance to listen to some

Truth & lies by some of the participants in the hishtalmut and got a chance to learn about each other .

3- alternative realities

We watched a video showing an example of a good vs. a bad day

2 different perspectives on almost the same issue .

4 .Podcast = an audio file

One of the advantages students of a podcast is that students don’t have to show themselves .

We learned how to create a podcast .

We had a look at a program called : audacity .

Some ideas for using the podcast : interviews , guessing what something is , giving directions to your house

5. digital tools – assignment

We have gained more knowledge and experience on some  new  tools that we can use in the classroom . It was an enriching session .

Lesson from April 5th, 2021

Today we had a presentation by Leah Doryoseph.  She gave us a very informative and interactive lecture entitled:  Filling the Treasure Chest with words.

Point 1:  Have smart goals when teaching vocabulary.  Make them-  specific, measurable, accepted, reasonable and time-bound.

Point 2:  She used a list of words, concentrating on 3 specific words to teach us in order to show us her technique. The words were:  misoneist, obdormition, nutation, pridian, rusticate, salubrious.  The specific three words were: nutation, rusticate, salubrious.

Point 3:  She used padlet, videos and breakout rooms to create interest, variety and be interactive.

Point 4:  The process included 5 stages:

Reception

Production

Interaction

Mediation

Reflection

Point 4:  She gave us a few different websites to look into which involve vocabulary.

wordwall, wiser.me, plickers, kahoot, flippity

April 12, 2021
Today’s subject was module C and weak learners. After a brief introduction to the topic, Roberta sent us to breakout rooms. There, we discussed what our weak learners struggle with and our our struggles or challenges as teachers trying to teach and facilitate the progress of our weaker students. In addition, we discussed various tried and true strategies for success. The discussion in the breakout room was very fruitful even before we compared notes with the rest of the class. Jenni Handel brought up the useful and interesting site “Learn English With” which everyone enjoyed hearing about.

The next step which proved even more informative and enlightening was when we left the breakout rooms and each group shared its own conclusions. Clearly, everyone enjoyed and benefited from this exchange of ideas between teachers. Some of these ideas touched upon the pedagogical as well as the psychological. In addition to pragmatic and systematic approaches for teaching various skills, the need for sensitivity towards and encouragement of our students was also discussed.

If there was one important common theme throughout this evening’s meeting, it seems to be the importance and value of a well-structured and organized approach to teaching skills such as writing, among others.

Finally, we had the pleasure of watching two wonderful and highly informative presentations from our colleagues Noa Porat and Meital Cohen. Noa spoke about engaging students through their use of annotations on Zoom and shared presentations using Google slides providing ample proof of the students’ enjoyment of the learning process. Meital presented a most impressive step-by-step, structured approach to teaching writing using detailed templates, scaffolding every level of the writing process. As Roberta mentioned, it quite nearly provides a fail-safe approach to the teaching of writing.

April 19, 2021

SIMULATIONS

Today’s lesson was special! We went through an amazing experience by watching or acting simulations of situations that may happen to every one of us as teachers.
We first discuss the goals and objectives of the Simulation Method: to develop communication skills of teacher behavior which are essential for effective teaching. Then we start practicing.

Simulation 1: a discussion between a teacher and a 10th-grade student who has learning difficulties and behavior problems.

Simulation 2: a controversial discussion between an English teacher and a homeroom teacher about a group of boys in 8th grade who disturb the class. the English teacher asking for help.

After watching the simulation, Efrat, our wonderful host, started to analyze the discussions by asking the actors and other participants about their feeling when they watched the simulations again. Then, we discussed what can be learned from these exercises.

We discussed different topics such as opening and ending a discussion, asking open questions, feelings of the characters that are generally the reason why a person talks/ reacts the way he does – ”EFRAT Method”

(אפרת: אירוע – פרשנות – רגש – תגובה)

So, the next time you have a discussion with a student, a parent, another teacher, or even with your kid, REMEMBER:

• Set the scene

• Gather information

• Agree on the problem

• Brainstorm solutions

• Negotiate a solution

and don’t forget that you do a wonderful job!

April 26, 2021

Today’s session consisted of two parts.

During the first part of the session we were split up into break out rooms to discuss the issue of taking pictures of the board in class ad whether of not this was acceptable. Some of us thought it was a habit that developed during the infamous “Zoom” period of learning, and some of us questioned whether or not there was any learning involved, if students simply took pictures which remained on their phones. One teacher suggested that this be put to good use. In other words, if students could use the information they store on their phone to refresh their memories before the next lesson and so on, it could be useful. Another aspect of the discussion was that note taking should be encouraged, especially since writing is an important skill that should be reinforced in the classroom as much as possible.

The second part of the session included a presentation by Meirav about teaching Module G to high school students. This involved a wonderful presentation with ideas and examples, as well as useful tips for teaching students how to deal with reading comprehension (if memory serves). This includes types of questions students encounter, etc.