pen pal letters

A sentence that summarizes this task.Read pen pal letters from African pen pals

Task Description:

Read pen pal letters for comprehension and information about similarities and differeces between life in village and life in Seattle area. What might a student from an African village want or need to know about life here in order to feel comfortable? What places or activities might make them feel at home? What places or activities might be intimidating and could be made to feel more comfortable or welcoming?

Task Type:
need to know
Task Focus:
content
Task Time:
2 class periods
Task Extension:

Write back to pen pal letting them know about life in Seattle with photos.

Potential Hurdles:

Difficulty reading handwriting. Slow mail service. 

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Internet search

A sentence that summarizes this task. Search internet for relevant and credible information about life in Francophone Africa.

Task Description:

Students research life in Francophone Africa in small goups. Students make a list of questions that need clarifying in order to conduct further research. 

Task Type:
need to know
Task Focus:
content
Task Time:
2 class periods
Task Extension:

Make a list of questions where further research is needed. Make notes of what students will share with classmates.

Technology Tips:

Search engine information. Web site share.

Potential Hurdles:

Students not certain about reliability of information obtained. Some sites may not be age appropriate. Students may have difficult with level of French used in web site.

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introductory video

A sentence that summarizes this task. Students watch video about boy in suitcase

Task Description:

As an introductory task students watch utube video of "boy in suitcase"

Task Type:
driving question
Task Focus:
content
Task Time:
1 class period
Task Extension:

Discuss why parents might have been so desperate as to try to smuggle their child in a suitcase. Discuss what students need to know about the life the family was leaving and what they might need to know at their ultimate destination, in order to flourish and feel at home there. 

Technology Tips:

Use computer and projector 

Potential Hurdles:

Language needed to discuss issues may need extra scaffolding. Students may not have enough pre-existing knowlege about Francophone Africa to participate in discussion.

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Research local information

A sentence that summarizes this task.Students will use internet resources to find information about the local area that they might want to include in their video.

Task Description:

Students will use internet resources to find possible information they might want to include in their welcome video. For example they might find information about local soccer teams to use in sharing about sport and recreational opportunities. 

Task Type:
need to know
Task Focus:
content
Task Time:
2 class periods
Technology Tips:

Share possible web sites.

Potential Hurdles:

Reliabilty of information on website. Students may lose direction in the ultimate purpose of the video and why they are focusing on certain kinds of information

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Vocabulary brainstorming

A sentence that summarizes this task. Students will brainstorm a list of vocabulary words that they might need in order to discuss life in Francophone Africa and to make their video.

Task Description:

Students will brainstorm in small and whole group vocabulary they might need in order to discuss life in Francophone Africa and to make their video.

Task Type:
scaffolding
Task Focus:
content
Task Time:
1 class period
Task Extension:

Quiz on essential vocabulary

Technology Tips:

Save and manage what will probably be a growing list in Google doc shared between all members of class and teacher

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Brainstorm possible need to knows for new immigrants

A sentence that summarizes this task. Students will brainstorm what new immigrants might need to know about life and opportunities in the Seattle area.

Task Description:

Based on what they have learned about life in Francophone Africa students will brainstorm categories and specific information they think new arrivals would like or need to know about the area to help with a smooth transition. 

Task Type:
need to know
Task Focus:
interaction
Task Time:
2 class periods
Technology Tips:

Save ideas in shared Google doc. Project Google doc on smartboard.

Potential Hurdles:

Students may have difficulty expressing ideas in target language. Some students may monopolize brainstorm session. Too many students may try to access the Google doc at the same time. 

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Script writng

A sentence that summarizes this task.Students write script and filming instructions for their video.

Task Description:

Using feedback from teacher and whole group, students begin writing script for video. 

Task Type:
scaffolding
Task Focus:
interaction
Task Time:
2 class periods
Task Extension:

Students make a list of additional vocabulary, grammar, background information and tech tips they will need, as they work on the script.

Technology Tips:

Students need to think about how they are going to film the video as they are writing the script

Potential Hurdles:

Students disagree on contents. Students feel they are not being listened to. Students need too much additional scaffolding to make progress.

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Video project map

A sentence that summarizes this task.Students break up into small group and make a map or outline of the video they hope to make.

Task Description:

Students divide into small groups and decide what they will include in their video and in what order they will present the information. They will make note of anything they will need in order to make the video. This may include vocabulary, grammar props, etc. 

Task Type:
scaffolding
Task Focus:
interaction
Task Time:
1 class period
Technology Tips:

Students will put their task map in a format that can be shared with class. 

Potential Hurdles:

Students may have difficulty agreeing on what should be included-making sure everyone has a voice. Students may have difficulty staying in the target language when discussing their plan. 

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Need to know share

A sentence that summarizes this task.Students in small groups share their need to knows before filming begins

Task Description:

Students share their need-to know list with the class for feedback and suggestions. 

Task Type:
scaffolding
Task Focus:
grammar
Task Time:
2 class periods
Task Extension:

Whole group helps small groups with answers or suggestions about where to find answers

Technology Tips:

Use google doc to share questions and answers or tips about where to find answers.

Potential Hurdles:

Too much scaffolding needed by some groups.

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prepare to shoot

A sentence that summarizes this task.Students hone script divvy up tasks, line up props and equipment, etc

Task Description:

Students finish their scripts, divide up tasks, reserve videocameras and greenscreen, gather props and anything else they will need to begin filming.

Task Type:
scaffolding
Task Focus:
interaction
Task Time:
1-2 periods
Task Extension:

Possible visit to Big lab for instruction re use of equipment and greenscreen.

Technology Tips:

Be sure that someone in each groups knows how to use equipment and edit video. If  not arrange for visit to class from tech department person. 

Potential Hurdles:

video editing software compatibility

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Make video

A sentence that summarizes this task.Students begin to make their videos in their individual work groups

Task Description:

Students shoot video in their work group using the script and props they have prepared.

Task Type:
need to know
Task Focus:
technology
Task Time:
6 class periods
Technology Tips:

Be sure that filmer knows how to use video equipment. Be sure cameras and other equipment have been reserved, Be sure batteries are charged and camera has enough space on SD card to save work. Save work daily to computer so it is not inadvertantly filmed over or lost. 

Potential Hurdles:

Equipment problems-batteries-cameras missing-video not correctly saved.

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Edit video

A sentence that summarizes this task.Students edit the videos in their small groups

Task Description:

Students edit their videos before sharing with whole group for feedback and possible changes 

Task Type:
need to know
Task Focus:
technology
Task Time:
2 class periods
Technology Tips:

If not certain about how to use editing software consult with someone else in class or with tech office. 

Potential Hurdles:

Video lost. Low bandwidth. Software glitches.

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Share with audience

A sentence that summarizes this task. Students will share video with community audience and African pen pals on line.

Task Description:

Students share video with pen pals and Evergreen community on line. 

Task Type:
need to know
Task Focus:
interaction
Task Time:
1 class period
Technology Tips:

Teach students how to add video to "MY EVERGREEN"

Potential Hurdles:

Bandwidth or tech issues uploading video. 

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polish and revise

A sentence that summarizes this task.Time for groups to polish or revise if needed

Task Description:

Students will have time to make any neccessary revisions or additions 

Task Type:
scaffolding
Task Focus:
content
Task Time:
1 or 2 class periods
Technology Tips:

Consult with tech department if there are any tech glitches.

Potential Hurdles:

Some groups may need more time or others may resist making changes.

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Information share

A sentence that summarizes this task.Students will share with class the results of their preliminary research.

Task Description:

Students will present to the class in their small groups the results of their preliminary reasearch and the additional questions that they have that they feel need further research.

Task Type:
need to know
Task Focus:
interaction
Task Time:
2 class periods
Task Extension:

Feedback from teacher and class about information and questions

Technology Tips:

Powerpoint or visual to back up their presentation

Potential Hurdles:

Audience attention and comprehension

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Plan share

A sentence that summarizes this task.Students will share their plan with the group

Task Description:

Students in small groups will share their project plan with the whole class for feedback from the teacher and classmates

Task Type:
scaffolding
Task Focus:
interaction
Task Time:
1 class period
Task Extension:

Students help others hone or possibly refocus their plans 

Technology Tips:

Students should have a visual in order to insure comprehension of their plan

Potential Hurdles:

Students may struggle with language needed for feedback. Students may be reluctant to offer feedback for fear of upsetting their friends. Students may have difficulty accepting feedback or critiques. 

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Class share

A sentence that summarizes this task. Groups share their videos with whole group

Task Description:

Students share videos with their whole group for feedback and possible changes

Task Type:
scaffolding
Task Focus:
interaction
Task Time:
1 class period
Task Extension:

Students give feedback on videos and make suggestions for possible changes needed.

Technology Tips:

Share from thumb drive due to low bandwidth and incompatabilty of teacher, student and projector. inputs

Potential Hurdles:

Hurt feelings, reluctance to suggest changes, language hurdles in expressing suggestions for improvement.

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Assess and discuss project

A sentence that summarizes this task.Students will self-assess and discuss what they learned from the project, what they would do differently, etc.

Task Description:

Students will complete self-assessment forms and can-do's for project. They will share what they learned well and what they possibly would do differently next time. They will be asked for suggestions and feed back on how they would improve the project for another class

Task Focus:
interaction
Task Time:
1 class period
Technology Tips:

Save ideas to google doc

Potential Hurdles:

Lack of language needed to express depth of ideas or suggestions. Reluctance to hurt feelings by sharing true thoughts.

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