Project-Based Approach to Teaching English Writing in a Foreign Language Context Myriam Casimir, Ph.D. Department of Education California State Polytechnic University July 7, 2015

AgendaAgenda Classroom Lesson Exemplar Discussion of instructional and pedagogical features of lesson Identification of Writing and Reading Elements Day 2 completion: Sociocultural Learning Theory Foundations Questions & Answers Conclusion

Classroom Exemplar: Physical & Regional Geography

Native Language Support: o Try this lesson in English. If you need to speak Chinese to clarify, explain, or have brief conversations, go ahead. o After you work out what you want to say or write, go back to using English. For Group Work: o Let’s try to make as many groups of 4 as possible. We can have one or two groups of 3, but no pairs, and no groups of 5. o You should be in groups with the people behind you, not next to you. o You can move all your things when you relocate

Jigsaw StructureJigsaw Structure Expert Group 2: XXXX /XXX Expert Group 4: XXXX /XXX Expert Group 3: XXXX /XXX Expert Group 1: XXXX /XXX A. Expert Groups Meet B. Study Groups Meet Study Group A Study Group B Study Group C Study Group D

Think-Pair-Share (Bridging) Think Think of a place in nature somewhere in China that you love to go to. o What is the land like? o Is there water? o What do people do there? Pair & Share Find just one other person. Briefly exchange information (30-60 seconds each). o For kids: Thumbs up/ pencils down when you are ready. I like to go to … The land there is … The water there is … People there …

Discussion (Bridging & Schema-Building) Discussion o What did your partner say? You already have a lot of knowledge about the geography of the place where you live. o Physical geography is the study of land and water. o Cultural geography is the study of how people in particular places live now, or once lived. Today in class, you are going to learn about the some of the regions of California. You will learn some facts about the land, the water, and the first residents of California. That is, you will learn about the physical and cultural geography of California. My partner said that she/ he likes to go to … The land there is… The water there is … People there …

Minilecture: Introduction to the Regions of California Schema-Building

Minilecture: Introduction to the Expert Group Work (Schema-Building) In your expert groups, you will read about one region in California, agree on how to present some of the important information, and then present it to other people in the class. Everyone should have one sheet or informational text about California’s regions, one Reading with a Focus organizer, and one Compare & Contrast matrix.

Reading with a Focus (Schema-Building) Read the prompts, or questions to know what to look for. Read your text and find answers. Write them down in point-form. Let me model for you. o (Pretend I’ve modeled) You have about 5-7 minutes.

Round Robin & Coming to a Consensus (Schema-Building) Round Robin In your small groups, take turns presenting your answer to number 1. o Be quick when you talk, and if you are listening, don’t interrupt. o Start with the person sitting closest to the door. Coming to a Consensus Now talk about what information you would like to write in a sentence that answers that question. You can use the space at the bottom of the page to write your attempts. When you have your sentence, write it in the Compare & Contrast Matrix. Start again with number 2. You have 15 minutes to finish.

Presentation Practice & Study group Presentations (Schema-Building) Break your group up into two pairs. Present your answers to one another. Move to be with your study groups. Present starting with the first region (Coast) Those who are not presenting should be taking notes. You have ~12 minutes.

Collaborative Paragraph (Text Re-Presentation) As a group, write a paragraph inviting visitors to go see California. You must mention: o The four regions o One physical feature of how each region looks o One interesting facts about the vegetation in one region o One interesting fact about the climate in one region o One interesting fact about the people in one region Write your paragraph on a poster board. Everyone must collaborate. Each person can only use one color of marker. Extra Extra! Decorate your poster using symbols and images with captions (using the four colors).

Gallery WalkGallery Walk Schema-Building

DiscussionDiscussion Standards? Writing skills practiced? Reading skills practiced? Critical Thinking?

Back to Yesterday’s Presentation…

Questions & AnswersQuestions & Answers

ConclusionConclusion