March, 2016
Understanding ‘Global Issues’ is not an abstract concept. It helps young people understand the world – their world. And I believe the classroom is the perfect place for that understanding to begin.
After the ‘Reading Aloud’ lessons, young people have real understanding of ‘Global Issues’. Real understanding comes when they see that learning being put into practice around them. If they can see human rights principles being played out in their school environment, the benefits become real for them as individuals and as part of their community. When equality, dignity and respect are regularly seen in action, positive behaviour becomes the norm and this has a knock-on effect across the school.
Reading Aloud - Benefits
1. It is an important time to reflect on the value of what is being discussed 2. It encourages creative and critical thinking 3. It improves the classroom climate, as students help each other while reading aloud 4. It improves listening skills 5. And it also promotes vocabulary acquisition 6. It encourages playfulness. For example:
7. Finally, reading aloud is about breathing. That is what reading aloud is. That is what we do when we speak. We breathe with certain modulations and turn them into words and that is connected with our heartbeats and with everything else, it is an essential part of the condition by which we live. So we breathe words! Saying them aloud adds the store of knowledge, helps understand the world around us, but also connects absolutely with what is inside us.
Lesson Plan
According to the latest data (2014), 793 million adults – two thirds of them women – lack basic reading and writing skills (UNESCO). Yet, studies show that literacy is the foundation for emotional and physical well-being, intellectual growth, and economic security. 'Reading Aloud to Raise Awareness of Literacy' project was an important time for reflecting on the value of literacy and reading for all of us in day-to-day life. 1. First I gave them the names of each woman (wrote on the board), ask if they knew them. 2. Then, I aloud short texts about those women. They achieved something remarkable, yet are relatively unknown. Source: http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/unsung-heroes 3. They were all surprised to know what they have done. Then they realised it was International Women’s Day. 4. As a group, we discussioned about why we celebrate International Women’s Day, if we should celebrate it; we talked about equal rights, sexism, etc, and we also worked with vocabulary related to social issues (from the texts) using a separate worksheet. 5. Read some Global Literacy Statistics from UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and World Literacy Foundation:
• If all children in low-income countries left school literate, 171 million people could move out of poverty. (World Literacy Foundation)
• According to the latest data (2014), 793 million adults – two thirds of them women – lack basic reading and writing skills. (UNESCO) • On tests involving 4,500 to 10,000 students in 43 countries, half of the girls said they read for at least 30 minutes a day, compared with less than one-third of the boys. (UNESCO) • Even though the size of the global illiterate population is shrinking, the female proportion has remained virtually steady at 63 to 64%. (UNESCO) • Poorly-literate individuals are less likely to participate in democratic processes and have fewer chances to fully exercise their civil rights (UNESCO) • A child born to a mother who can read is 50% more likely to survive past the age of five than a child born to an illiterate woman. (UNESCO) • A literate and educated girl is three times less likely to acquire AIDS, she will earn at least 25% more income, and she will produce a smaller, healthier family. (UNESCO) • Illiterate people earn 30-42% less than their literate counterparts. (World Literacy Foundation)
6. I divided the class into small groups and, based on what they had discussed before, each group had to present one idea to help raise awareness of literacy and maybe help change the statistics. They should use ‘reading aloud’ and the vocabulary about social issues.
7. Students' ideas:
8. As we did not have anything prepared on that day, they chose a poem and recorded it (‘Phenomenal Woman’ by Maya Angelou):
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Abstract: World Read Aloud Day is celebrated on 24th February 2016. It motivates children, teenagers and adults worldwide to celebrate the power of words and creates a community of readers taking action to show the world that the right to literacy belongs to all people. In this webinar, we will see how you can implement “reading aloud” practices in your EFL and CLIL classes. All activities presented can be adjusted for different age groups and space requirements. Videos: Alan Maley reads Mr Spider Mr Spider 'Please, Mr Spider, climbing up the wall, Please don’t, please don’t, please, don’t.fall!' 'Why are you so frightened? Why are you afraid?' 'Because I think you’ll poison The soup I’ve just made.' 'Oh Mr Spider, walking on the ceiling, You give my tummy such a funny feeling.' 'What makes you so frightened? What makes you afraid?' 'Because I think you’ll drop on me And bite me till I’m dead!' 'Please, little children, sitting down below, Please don’t run away. Please don’t go. You really mustn’t think that I Am poisonous or mean. Remember that I eat the flies And keep your houses clean.' Alan Maley Alan Maley reads The Rocks of Chandrapore The Rocks of Chandrapore At Chandrapore, at Chandrapore, Are two great rocks down on the shore, Where two great seabirds flap and soar Down on the shore at Chandrapore. But nobody goes there any more, To the rocks on the shore At Chandrapore. Many years ago, or so they say, A young warrior passed along that way, Stole the ruler’s daughter away. The ruler ordered his men to slay Them both just as they Were caught, as they were soon, down on the bay. And nobody goes there any more, To the rocks on the shore At Chandrapore. At the foot of the rocks they tied them fast But as the lovers breathed their last, They promised each other their love would last, And as they died two great birds passed, Circled and settled on the rocks at last. And nobody goes there any more, To the rocks on the shore At Chandrapore. And ever since then the birds have stayed. People say they’re the souls of the man and the maid. And there’s no one who lives here who’s not afraid To go near the rocks and stand in their shade When the two birds circle to watch the day fade. So nobody goes there any more To the rocks on the shore At Chandrapore. At Chandrapore. Alan Maley Kim Horne reads Haiku haiku ˈhʌɪkuː/ noun a Japanese poem of seventeen syllables, in three lines of five, seven, and five, traditionally evoking images of the natural world. Modern English haiku don't have to follow the 5-7-5 rule. Moon skulks in the trees sweeping the dense forest floor hungry fox plunders Today's gathering cicadas sang, brook babbled the bamboo stood still Wrapped in shining clouds Miss Moon hides her full cheeked face I trip on the road (The following is in memory of 9/11/09 terrorist attacks) Birds flew through the trees many petals fell to earth my heart’s sad carpet Blue moonlight escapes from heaven’s cover snow parmesans down I love sun drenched beds languid dreams swirl through the sheets smelling of heaven Through the cosmos in tandem with a dragonfly wind in my ears Kim Horne Mhairi Anne Robson reads Miki Mukade Miku Mukade Miki lives in Japan, in a place called Gifu, where kind country folk always smile and greet you. Gifu's famous for 'Ukai' (Cormorant Fishing) and a big paper Buddha- for your safety he's wishing. Miki's a centipede (they call her Mukade) and has family in Eastern and Western society. Cousin Marc's from Brazil (He eats bats, what a thrill!) Aunt Meiling lives in China and couldn't be finer! Miki lives outside under leaves and logs; she like to eat spiders, lizards and frogs. In June, when it's raining, (Miki hates to get wet!), she'll come into your house, but there's no need to fret. Her favourite thing is to hide in dark places, like under cushions, or in cracks in staircases. When she's hungry she'll come out to look for some food, and that's when most humans get in a mad mood. "Aarghhh! Mukade!!" She only bites if she's scared, her bite's nasty, it's true; but wouldn't you bite someone if you were terrified too? Her eyesight's real bad, so she won't see you coming, you have to be fast, and really quite cunning. If you grasp her with chopsticks she'll hold on real tight and will dance in the air like the tail of a kite. However you move her, do it gently, with haste; she runs REALLY fast and loves a good chase! Put her back in the garden where she'll happily stay; until another, wet, miserable day. So be kind to Miki, it's the least you can do. She means you no harm, really, it's true. The End. Mhairi Anne Robson Vicky Loras reads Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening topping by Woods on a Snowy Evening Whose woods these are I think I know. His house is in the village though; He will not see me stopping here To watch his woods fill up with snow. My little horse must think it queer To stop without a farmhouse near Between the woods and frozen lake The darkest evening of the year. He gives his harness bells a shake To ask if there is some mistake. The only other sound’s the sweep Of easy wind and downy flake. The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep. Robert Frost Catherine Ross-White reads The Little Girl and the Magic Words Suggested Picture Books, Chapter Books, and Poetry:
The Gift of Nothing by Patrick McDonnell Ish by Peter H. Reynolds Hairs/Pelitos by Sandra Cisneros One World, One Day by Barbara Kerley My Name is Leona by Carol Gahara Harris The Storm Whale by Benji Davies Kunu’s Basket by Lee DeCora Francis My Name is Yoon by Helen Recorvits Stellaluna by Jannell Cannon Violet’s Music by Angela Johnson Chapter Books Wonder by RJ Palacio Fresh Off the Boat by Eddie Huang The Junkyard Wonders by Patricia Polacco I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros Baseball Is… by Louise Borden Blob by Fire Wishinsky Bluish by Virginia Hamilton Poetry Night on the Neighborhood Street by Eloise Greenfield Guess What by Susan Anderson
The Memory of an Elephant by Sophie Strady 29 Myths on the Swinster Pharmacy by Lemony Snicket Draw! by Raúl Colón (no words!) Roxaboxen by Alice McLerran The Mouse and the Meadow by Chad Wallace Not a Box by Antoinette Portis Weslandia by Paul Fleischman Journey by Aaron Becker Orion and the Dark by Emma Yarlett Seven Blind Mice by Ed Young Chapter Books Nightbird by Alice Hoffman Bayou Magic by Jewell Parker Rhodes Unstoppable Octobia May by Sharon Flake The Sixty-Eight Rooms (The Sixty-Eight Rooms Adventures) by Marianne Malone The Key to Rondo by Emily Rodda The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly Moxie and the Art of Rule Breaking by Erin Dionne Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd Poetry Salsa Stories by Lulu Delacre
The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts Yo! Yes? by Chris Raschka Mrs. Katz and Tush by Patricia Polacco Mango, Abuela, and Me by Meg Medina Ninja Bunny by Jennifer Gray Olson The Jacket by Kirsten Hall Wednesday by Anne Bertier Rainbow Joe and Me by Maria Diaz Strom Raising Dragons by Jerdine Nelson Chapter Books Holes by Louis Sachar Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella I Will Always Write Back by Martin Ganda, Caitlin Alifrenka, and Liz Welch One Plus One Equals Blue by Mary Jane Auch Pie by Sarah Weeks Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures by Kate DiCamillo Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan Fast Sam, Cool Clyde, And Stuff by Walter Dean Myers Goodbye Stranger by Rebecca Stead Sula by Toni Morrison Poetry Build a Box of Friendship by Chuck Pool On Friendship by Khalil Gibran A Time to Talk by Robert Frost
Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson Plant a Kiss by Amy Krouse Rosenthal Wings by Christopher Myers Hug Me by Simona Ciraolo The Lion and the Bird by Marianne Dubuc Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes Frog and Toad All Year by Arnold Lobel Horton Hears a Who by Dr. Seuss Mrs. Rumphius by Barbara Cooney Chapter Books The Laura Line by Crystal Allen The Women of Brewster Place by Gloria Naylor The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate No Talking by Andrew Clements Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo Kira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata Little Lord Fauntleroy by Frances Hodgson Burnett Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco Stork How Lamar’s Bad Prank Won a Bubba Sized Trophy by Crystal Allen Poetry The Invitation by Shel Silverstein Kindness by Naomi Nye Peaceful Pieces by Anna Grossnickle Hines
Lupita’s First Dance/ El Primer Baile de Lupita by Lupe Ruiz-Flores Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker by Patricia Hruby Powell Exclamation Mark by Amy Krouse Rosenthal Alvin Ailey by Andrea Davis Pinkney What Do You do With an Idea? by Kobi Yamada Harlem’s Little Blackbird by Renee Watson Iggy Peck, Architect by Andrea Beaty Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great by Bob Shea When the Beat Was Born: DJ Kool Herc and the Creation of Hip-Hop by Laban Carrick Hill Chapter Books Girl Wonder: A Baseball Story in Nine Innings by Deborah Hopkinson The Green Bicycle by Haifaa al Mansour Travel Team by Mike Lupica The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie (Flavia de Luce #1) by Alan Bradley El Deafo by Cece Bell STAT: Standing Tall & Talented by Amare Stoudemire Bobby the Brave (Sometimes) by Lisa Yee Storm Thief by Chris Wooding Spider Boy by Ralph Fletcher The Great Wall of Lucy Wu by Wendy Wan-Long Shang Poetry By Myself by Eloise Greenfield Famous by Naomi Nye Black Hair by Gary Soto
Rad American Women A-Z by Kate Schatz Sophie’s Masterpiece: A Spider’s Tale by Eileen Spinelli Swimmy by Leo Lionni Shackleton’s Journey by William Grill Wild by Emily Hughes Lakas and the Makibaka Hotel by Anthony Robles Roberto, The Insect Architect by Nina Laden Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell Two of a Kind by Jacqui Robbins Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watt Chapter Books Gaby, Lost and Found by Angela Cervantes Hoot by Carl Hiaasen A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park William S. and the Great Escape by Zilpha Keatley Snyder Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt A Moment Comes by Jennifer Bradbury Silver People: Voices from the Panama Canal by Margarita Engle Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy by Karen Foxlee Chasing Secrets by Gennifer Choldenko The River by Gary Paulsen Poetry Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson I Look at the World by Langston Hughes
All in a Day by Cynthia Rylant I, Too, Am America by Langston Hughes Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez by Kathleen Krull The Farmer and the Clown by Marla Frazee (no words!) The Infinite Song by Andrea Freeman A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams A Dance Like Starlight: One Ballerina’s Dream by Kristy Dempsey and Floyd Cooper Come On, Rain! by Karen Hesse Fly Away Home by Eve Bunting Chapter Books Toothpaste Millionaire by Jean Merrill The Thing About Luck by Cynthia Kadohata Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai Dreaming in Indian by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Leatherdale Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia Angel on the Square by Gloria Whelan Rules for Stealing Stars by Corey Ann Haydu Stitches: A Memoir by David Small Poetry Poetry for Young People: Langston Hughes by David Roessel Still I Rise by Maya Angelou Tiger Mask Ritual by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni Listen to the Mustn’ts by Shel Silverstein Source: LitWorld.org - Be the Story.
The Gift of Nothing by Patrick McDonnell Ish by Peter H. Reynolds Hairs/Pelitos by Sandra Cisneros One World, One Day by Barbara Kerley My Name is Leona by Carol Gahara Harris The Storm Whale by Benji Davies Kunu’s Basket by Lee DeCora Francis My Name is Yoon by Helen Recorvits Stellaluna by Jannell Cannon Violet’s Music by Angela Johnson Chapter Books Wonder by RJ Palacio Fresh Off the Boat by Eddie Huang The Junkyard Wonders by Patricia Polacco I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros Baseball Is… by Louise Borden Blob by Fire Wishinsky Bluish by Virginia Hamilton Poetry Night on the Neighborhood Street by Eloise Greenfield Guess What by Susan Anderson
The Memory of an Elephant by Sophie Strady 29 Myths on the Swinster Pharmacy by Lemony Snicket Draw! by Raúl Colón (no words!) Roxaboxen by Alice McLerran The Mouse and the Meadow by Chad Wallace Not a Box by Antoinette Portis Weslandia by Paul Fleischman Journey by Aaron Becker Orion and the Dark by Emma Yarlett Seven Blind Mice by Ed Young Chapter Books Nightbird by Alice Hoffman Bayou Magic by Jewell Parker Rhodes Unstoppable Octobia May by Sharon Flake The Sixty-Eight Rooms (The Sixty-Eight Rooms Adventures) by Marianne Malone The Key to Rondo by Emily Rodda The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly Moxie and the Art of Rule Breaking by Erin Dionne Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd Poetry Salsa Stories by Lulu Delacre
The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts Yo! Yes? by Chris Raschka Mrs. Katz and Tush by Patricia Polacco Mango, Abuela, and Me by Meg Medina Ninja Bunny by Jennifer Gray Olson The Jacket by Kirsten Hall Wednesday by Anne Bertier Rainbow Joe and Me by Maria Diaz Strom Raising Dragons by Jerdine Nelson Chapter Books Holes by Louis Sachar Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella I Will Always Write Back by Martin Ganda, Caitlin Alifrenka, and Liz Welch One Plus One Equals Blue by Mary Jane Auch Pie by Sarah Weeks Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures by Kate DiCamillo Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan Fast Sam, Cool Clyde, And Stuff by Walter Dean Myers Goodbye Stranger by Rebecca Stead Sula by Toni Morrison Poetry Build a Box of Friendship by Chuck Pool On Friendship by Khalil Gibran A Time to Talk by Robert Frost
Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson Plant a Kiss by Amy Krouse Rosenthal Wings by Christopher Myers Hug Me by Simona Ciraolo The Lion and the Bird by Marianne Dubuc Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes Frog and Toad All Year by Arnold Lobel Horton Hears a Who by Dr. Seuss Mrs. Rumphius by Barbara Cooney Chapter Books The Laura Line by Crystal Allen The Women of Brewster Place by Gloria Naylor The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate No Talking by Andrew Clements Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo Kira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata Little Lord Fauntleroy by Frances Hodgson Burnett Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco Stork How Lamar’s Bad Prank Won a Bubba Sized Trophy by Crystal Allen Poetry The Invitation by Shel Silverstein Kindness by Naomi Nye Peaceful Pieces by Anna Grossnickle Hines
Lupita’s First Dance/ El Primer Baile de Lupita by Lupe Ruiz-Flores Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker by Patricia Hruby Powell Exclamation Mark by Amy Krouse Rosenthal Alvin Ailey by Andrea Davis Pinkney What Do You do With an Idea? by Kobi Yamada Harlem’s Little Blackbird by Renee Watson Iggy Peck, Architect by Andrea Beaty Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great by Bob Shea When the Beat Was Born: DJ Kool Herc and the Creation of Hip-Hop by Laban Carrick Hill Chapter Books Girl Wonder: A Baseball Story in Nine Innings by Deborah Hopkinson The Green Bicycle by Haifaa al Mansour Travel Team by Mike Lupica The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie (Flavia de Luce #1) by Alan Bradley El Deafo by Cece Bell STAT: Standing Tall & Talented by Amare Stoudemire Bobby the Brave (Sometimes) by Lisa Yee Storm Thief by Chris Wooding Spider Boy by Ralph Fletcher The Great Wall of Lucy Wu by Wendy Wan-Long Shang Poetry By Myself by Eloise Greenfield Famous by Naomi Nye Black Hair by Gary Soto
Rad American Women A-Z by Kate Schatz Sophie’s Masterpiece: A Spider’s Tale by Eileen Spinelli Swimmy by Leo Lionni Shackleton’s Journey by William Grill Wild by Emily Hughes Lakas and the Makibaka Hotel by Anthony Robles Roberto, The Insect Architect by Nina Laden Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell Two of a Kind by Jacqui Robbins Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watt Chapter Books Gaby, Lost and Found by Angela Cervantes Hoot by Carl Hiaasen A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park William S. and the Great Escape by Zilpha Keatley Snyder Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt A Moment Comes by Jennifer Bradbury Silver People: Voices from the Panama Canal by Margarita Engle Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy by Karen Foxlee Chasing Secrets by Gennifer Choldenko The River by Gary Paulsen Poetry Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson I Look at the World by Langston Hughes
All in a Day by Cynthia Rylant I, Too, Am America by Langston Hughes Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez by Kathleen Krull The Farmer and the Clown by Marla Frazee (no words!) The Infinite Song by Andrea Freeman A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams A Dance Like Starlight: One Ballerina’s Dream by Kristy Dempsey and Floyd Cooper Come On, Rain! by Karen Hesse Fly Away Home by Eve Bunting Chapter Books Toothpaste Millionaire by Jean Merrill The Thing About Luck by Cynthia Kadohata Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai Dreaming in Indian by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Leatherdale Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia Angel on the Square by Gloria Whelan Rules for Stealing Stars by Corey Ann Haydu Stitches: A Memoir by David Small Poetry Poetry for Young People: Langston Hughes by David Roessel Still I Rise by Maya Angelou Tiger Mask Ritual by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni Listen to the Mustn’ts by Shel Silverstein Source: LitWorld.org - Be the Story. Make a wish and who knows, someone, somewhere may make your wish come true
A couple of weeks ago I read somewhere on the Internet about an activity some English students were doing in Italy: their idea was to give out free coffee and cookies, and in exchange anyone who accepted the coffee needed to write wishes on the coffee cups.
I then decided to try it with my students, from young learners to Business English students, they all had their coffee, tea or cappuccino and chocolate cookies. Then, they wrote their wishes on the plastic cups. Their wishes included:
At first, I wanted to do this activity just to have some moments of fun with my students; but then quickly, I realized it could be followed by something inspiring: The creation of your own plan in order to realize your wishes and make them come true. Not only that, they had to support other students, students they didn’t know and help them realize their wishes. There was lots of language practice (free conversation, followed by a topic – wishes; writing; reading; listening - videos). These steps were followed before the activity:
After collecting all the plastic cups, reading and recording their wishes (yes, I recorded them all!), I scrambled them and distributed them to different groups.
Then we had the final step:
5. Support: each student had to write plans to encourage and motivate other students they didn’t know to make their wishes come true. After writing down the plan, they recorded videos giving advice on what they would do to make these written wishes come true.
That was the most gratifying step of this activity! I could see that my students would do great things to make their wishes come true, but much more to help other people. In the end, they created a 'Wish Corner' and are posting notes with advice to encourage others to stick to their plans. They all agreed they are going to share their wishes when they come true!
Make a wish and place it in your heart, anything you want, everything you want. Do you have it? Good. Now believe it can come true. You never know where the next miracle is going to come from, the next smile, the next wish come true. But if you believe that it is right around the corner and you open your heart and mind to the possibility and certainty of it, you just might get the thing you're wishing for. The world is full of magic. You just have to believe in it. So make your wish. Do you have it? Good. Now believe in it. With all your heart…
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