THE ARC OF A THE ARC OF A LESSONLESSON

Teaching YLETeaching YLE

Departamento de Lenguas Extranjeras Facultad de Ciencias Humanas UNLPamPractice II, Prof. Braun (2011)Practice II, Prof. Braun (2011)

The ARC of a LessonThe ARC of a Lesson

Like a story, a lesson has Like a story, a lesson has a a beginning, middle and an end.beginning, middle and an end.This This called the ARC of a lessoncalled the ARC of a lesson

What makes a good beginning?What makes a good beginning?

Warm up:Warm up: An activity that switches students An activity that switches students

from L1 to L2, eg: A from L1 to L2, eg: A song or chantsong or chant in English.in English.

A morning message or A morning message or routine:routine:Today is Monday, Today is Monday, September 5th. It is sunny and windy September 5th. It is sunny and windy again.again.

Activating SCHEMAActivating SCHEMA

Also in the warm up phase:Also in the warm up phase: Activate prior kolActivate prior kol students have students have

about a topic.E.G.: What do they about a topic.E.G.: What do they know about dinosaurs? Why did they know about dinosaurs? Why did they become extinct?become extinct?

Middle. The BODY of the lessonMiddle. The BODY of the lesson

Introduce the topicIntroduce the topic and activity and activity transitions.transitions.

Present and model Present and model new activities new activities for students to do.for students to do.

It takes the most time in a lesson.It takes the most time in a lesson. We use We use transitions transitions between between

different activities.different activities.

TRANSITIONSTRANSITIONS

They are They are brief verbal markersbrief verbal markers that that indicate what will happen next.indicate what will happen next.

They help YLE move from where they They help YLE move from where they are to where they want to get.are to where they want to get.

Transitions can signal: Transitions can signal: a change of a change of topic, a change of activity, a topic, a change of activity, a change of interactional mode, or change of interactional mode, or a change of pace.a change of pace.

PPP/ESA/ OthersPPP/ESA/ Others

How can teachers organize the How can teachers organize the stages/Instructional sequences?stages/Instructional sequences?

Presentation, Practice, Presentation, Practice, production.production.

Engage, Study, Activate.Engage, Study, Activate. The boomerang.The boomerang. The patchwork.The patchwork.

TIMINGTIMING

• With YLE activities should be short, With YLE activities should be short, between 6-12 minutes.Why?between 6-12 minutes.Why?

• Remember YLE short Remember YLE short attention attention span.span.

THE END OF A LESSONTHE END OF A LESSON

The last few minutes of a lesson are very The last few minutes of a lesson are very important:important:

Homework assignment should be written Homework assignment should be written on the blackboard.on the blackboard.

Teacher asks students to identify most Teacher asks students to identify most important points in today’s lesson.important points in today’s lesson.

Students reflect on their own learning: Students reflect on their own learning: draw a happy, sad, or neutral face on a draw a happy, sad, or neutral face on a craft stick to show their feelings.craft stick to show their feelings.