Describe an inquiry or problem solving activity appropriate for ELLs that you have used, participated in, read about, or just now thought of. Describe which critical thinking skills it requires students to use and develop. Then, describe how this activity supports language and content learning for ELLs. Finally, comment on how podcasting could be used within the inquiry and problem solving process in a manner which supports language and content learning for ELLs.
An inquiry that jumped out at me was the oral history exercises in Cummins Chapter 7. I guess it really appealed to me because I am a history buff and I thought the activity was really cool. Of course, I am presenting that chapter on Tuesday so I won't go into great detail here. I don't want to give it all away. Essentially, the students did interviews of family to discover their own history. The students discovered that internet tools were not one size fits all and they had to be creative in coming up with alternatives to what the net provided them. Additionally, the students had to learn to synthesize multiple sources of information and organize that information. They had to learn how to reframe questions to seek additional information and use language in meaningful and authentic ways. Most important I think is the students learned to make connections and look at what they were learning with a critical eye and consider how history affects them. They did their presentations with iMovies but I think conducting their interviews and publishing them as podcasts would have added another interesting dimension to the project for them.
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I also like the approach that Mr. Green took on getting the students motivated about World History. I also like how he used the ethnographic research that was conducted in the 70s in Appalachian mountains as students in those communities (Roadville and the other) also conducted ethonographic research with their families. It would have been intersting to see how Mr. Greens class familial culture compared with those at Roadville.
Hey, Max.
Yes, it is an interesting exercise for most of us to research our roots, to gain the sense of history even while we are still iving it. I love that you can interview a relative and find out something that you can now, fairly easily, turn around and research further online. The podcasting as and end result is a great idea, too.
HI, Max! Okay, this isn't related to your prompt, but CONGRATULATIONS on your retirement!! Good luck to you and I know you'll rock in your speech. Enjoy!!! I will be thinking about you tomorrow night.
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