ESL Level 1Sutton Elementary School

Houston, Texas

Learning community of 27 students from five countries:

Project Based Upon

Chalk TalksBy

Norma Shapiroand

Carol Genser

Project Objective

•Create a fun learning experience.•Introduce the students to a new way of studying English.•Encourage students to use dictionaries to expand their vocabulary and correct spelling errors.

Project Strategy

•Familiarize students with the concept of Chalk Talks by choosing everyday life experiences such as:• Making a Doctor’s appointment.• Planning a surprise birthday. • Using a microwave. (combined lesson with the study of imperatives)

• Shopping at the supermarket.

The ProjectThe students created the following storyboard about moving to the United States:1. A picture of their country.2. Saying goodbye to family and friends.3. Coming to the United States.4. Looking for a place to live.5. Seeking employment.6. Writing to family and friends in their country.

The Students

The Students

The Students

Lessons the Students Learned•New vocabulary in the following areas:• Transportation• Job Search (classified ad abbreviations such as p/t, f/t, exp.

nec.)• United States Capitals• Medical (pharmacy terms when reading a prescription)

•How to transfer words to pictures

Challenges I Faced

•Getting Started!•Second guessing about the selection of the project.•Uncertainty about the student’s reaction to the project.

What Worked?

•Having wonderful examples from the ‘Chalk Talk’ book.•Students willing to try a new way of practicing English.

Student Challenges

•At first, understanding the concept until a few examples were completed.

Lessons I Learned

•Students are receptive to new, and interesting ways of learning English.•Many students in the class are ‘visual learners’.•Never underestimate what any student is capable of doing.