TImeline for Your Classroom

Creating Online Timeline for the Students

Yes, I am sure you already know about this.
What is time line?
and What is Tiki-toki? 
I am sure you know because you already read my previous post about Timeline. Here, right?

Well, yeah..The question now is how you can use this online tool in your classroom?
In what activity and in what way?

 Actually, the activity can be modified as creative as you want. For the lesson, you need to choose the appropriate one, such as history, biography, daily activity or maybe recount text. Many things can be done with timeline.

It is one example of lesson plan how you integrate your lesson with technology (Online Timeline).
This lesson plan made by my friend and I. 

As the pre activity, You can do just like this.

1. Greetings.

2. pictures of famous people such as President Soekarno, Harry Styles and Thomas Alpha Edison (Lead-in)

3. Eliciting some question about those people.

 
 In the main activity, you will continue just like this. But, remember that you can have your own creative and fun activity. It is just an example.


1. Giving one biography text of those famous people.
2. Asking the students to read the text individually.
3. Teacher will ask some basic question of the text and give some help about the new vocabulary. 
4. Asking the students to fill the blank space of the handout (Group work).
5. The teacher make simple line as the basic of timeline. 
6.  The teacher gives example for the first; writes the date or year and the event.
7.  After filling the blank, the students are asked to write the date and the event in good order on the white board in form of timeline (Group work).
8.  Getting feedback from the teacher about what aspect that is needed in the biography.
9.  Explaining in brief about timeline. 
10.  Asking the students to make the outline of their own biography. 
11.  Giving example of making timeline online using “Tiki-Toki”.

Asking the students to make their own timeline using “Tiki-Toki” by going to this link; http://www.tiki-toki.com/

12. Submitting URL on teacher’s email.
13.  The teacher will ask some students to present their timeline.
14.  After some students presenting their timeline, teacher gives feedback.


Come to the post activity, you can wrap up the lesson by these activity. 

1. Before closing the meeting, the teacher ask the students to make mind map or spider web that consist of “what do you need to write biography?”. It is designed to review the lesson. 
2. Give the feedback then close the class.

Yes, everyone, once more I tell you that you can modified it and make your own activity for timeline. 

Here is the link to download the full and complete lesson plan how to use Timeline in your classroom.

DOWNLOAD   

Hopefully, these all are useful for you, teachers.

Keep finding the best way to teach.

Be professional and competent one.

Keep enjoy this Teacher's Path blog.   

 

 



   

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COMIC

COMIC

Comic?

Listen to this word, everyone knows how fun reading a comic. Not only in the book form, nowadays, many comics can be accessed online such as Webtoon.

As a teacher, don't us make our students enjoy reading activity?  Yes, absolutely. 

This is one of the way you make boring reading activity to the fun reading activity.

Use picture in the form of comic to get their interest.

You can make or take any comic with appropriate contain for your students.

Or, let's just make our own comic.

Do you think make a comic is a difficult think? Yes of course. It is very difficult if you make and create it from the blank one to the filled one, or you sketch it from the dot to the big black circle one.

But, not anymore. You can create your own comic easier using online comic maker. 

There are several links that I knew for making a comic.

1.  Comicazcentarl

2. Toondo

3. Pixton

4. Chogger

In this beautiful occasion, Let's take a look deeper to one of the online comic maker. 

TOONDO.

 Toondo is easy used comic maker. It is free accessed and you can download the result of your comic easily. You just need to sign-up and create your account.

After that, you can just make your own comic.
You can choose how may box or comic strip do you want to make. You also can choose the character, the background and give balloon as the place of your words.
It is easy and simple.

You also can customize the character to make it fit to your background. Even, you can customize the expression of the character.

 

Take a look on my comic.

I have made it with my friends.

I make it with my friend' email.

Look, teacher, comic can motivate students to read. They will read it because it is colorful and attractive.

You can create your own comic with various topic as your material.

For the higher level of the students, you can ask them to create their own comic.

I t fits for many materials such as introduction, showing intention, caution, and many other.

You just need to think creatively in how you pack this tool in your classroom. 

Yes, hopefully this article can be used in your real teaching.

 Be the one who can master the technology.

Use it in yourclassroom, so, you are an up to date teacher for your students.

At last, keep reading this Teacher's Path blog.

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Hot Potatoes.

Creating our own exercise for the students.

Hot potatoes?

What do you think?

What is the right one?
Here?

Or Here?

Yes, people also know Hot Potatoes as a software that can be used for teaching. It has five application in it; JCloze, JCross, JMatch, JMix and JQuiz.

Another one is The Masher. It is used to compile all the Hot Potatoes exercises into one unit.

What software it is? Well, The application in Hot Potatoes are used to make the exercise or worksheet for the students.

For example, JMAtch for matching exercise, JCLose for filling the blank and JQuiz for making a quiz.

For a teacher, it is very useful for everyday teaching. You can use this application for making your own worksheet that appropriate for your material.

Okay, Let’s have a look deeply about this Hot Potatoes.

Hot Potatoes can be downloaded freely on this link.

HERE.

After you install the software, let’s make one trial worksheet.

Let’s take a look on JCLose everyone.

It is to make fill in the blank exercise. The length of the story is limited. It is about 150 words.

 1. Here is the look of Hot Potatoes, JClose.

 2. Copy or create your passage.

 

Don't forget to block the words to make it blank, and click Gap.

3. Create a web page.

 

Here is the example of JClose exercise. You can go to the setting to edit the color of the background, style and others.
Click this link, so you can do the exercise online.

Link

Okay, now you can make your own filling in the blank exercise for your students.

But, remember that.. this exercise is online. You can give the link for your students and ask them to do it.

 Further, Check this video to get more information about using Hot Potatoes.

How to use Hot Potatoes 

Well, everyone..

Don’t forget to always be creative on our teaching. Students who already study for whole their life are bored with the similar activity or exercise that teacher did. Even, they remember what the next activity after this activity.

So, teaching creatively and innovatively is needed.

Using the provided technology, you can make it true.

So, keep fighting teacher.

Be the great one who can help and inspire your students.

Keep reading Teacher’s Path. It may help you find new ideas for your teaching sessions. :D

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Creative Poster for Your Classroom

Making online poster for your classroom.

Poster! You may be familiar whith this word, or even you got an experience of  making a poster.

It is mostly used in a classroom.

Also, teacher usually uses the poster to get students interest because mostly poster is colorful.

When  the one who use or make the poster usually is the teacher, how if we make the students who make the poster?

That's good idea, I think.

Let's link it to the material.

I have an idea about greeting card.

Students usually are asked to make greeting card in their note book or make the real card one. That's good but, let us make it different, Teacher.

Let us aks the students to make the card in the form of online poster. It is easier. 

Just go to PosterMyWall, and you can master how to make the poster by doing.

Or, go read my article how to use PosterMyWall

Remember that teacher need to know how thoe tools or technology used. It is very important one.

Okay, back to the lesson plan.

Firstly, introduce the greeting cards in fun activity. Make the lead-in in a game or any other fun activity. 

It is very important, it's just like the first impression of the lesson. 

So, make it as fun as you can.

I will do game for the lead-in. 

Students are askes to choose the approprite card for the given cases.

 For example, My friend passed the examination.

I provide many cards, from memo, advertisement, announcement and greeting cards. 

Make it as whole class activity, so it will be fun,

Next, after eliciting and giving feedback, divide studens into several pairs.

Make jumble sentence activity.

Provide a greeting card that the sentences in it you've cut into several pieces.

Ask them to arrange it to be good congratulation for friends. 

Its aim is to make highlighting to the structure of the greeting card.

Further, introduce how to make online poster.

You can directly give tutorial or play a video as the tutorial how to use PosterMyWall.

Ask them in pair to make a poster to congratulate their friends. 

You will surprise how good they can do.

Well, Tha's just the part of the complete lesson plan. You can check and download the complete one here.

 DOWNLOAD

Yes, as I always said that teacher need to be creative in using tools or technology.
Don't let technology be the teacher of your students.

Last one, never stop learning to be a great teacher.
Help, motivate, and inspire the students for their golden future.

Keep enjoy this Teacher's Path blog.

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Podcast

Podcast

 

Podcast. Maybe you have already known that, it is a combining word from "broadcasting" and iPod". But, let's take a look on brief definition about podcast.

Podcasting is a form of audio broadcasting on the Internet. I am sure that you must be familiar with  iPod. Perhaps, you think that you only can listen a podcast by the iPod. But, no. You can listen to the podcast by using your computers or mobile phones. There are many sites that provide online podcast to practice your listening, or for you who want to explore more about surroundings. One of audio file types that popular is MP3. Nowadays, MP3 can be downloaded everywhere.

Okay, talking about podcast, the contain of the podcast itself is varied. In English teaching, podcast usually used as listening material. You play the audio file and ask your students to listen and do some activities like fill in the blank, listening comprehension questions, or summary. Yes, mostly podcast for English teaching can easily downloaded from internet such as BBC or VOA.

If teachers may find it difficult to find best topic or suitable accent or speed for their students, they are able to record their own talk as podcast. However, make sure that all the pronunciation is correct so it can be a good model for students.

If teachers want to do it differently, how if you ask your students to make the podcast. You may ask them to record their conversation and upload it to the internet. It can be on Google drive or Soundcloud. So that everyone can give comment and listen to it outside the class. It is also one of good ways to monitor your students' improvement. 

Take a look on this. It is and Example of Podcast that is uploaded on Soundcloud.

HERE

This audio will talk about their experience on culture shock.

How to record it?
You can record it using your mobile phone, or using Audacity.
It is an aplication to record and edit audio. You can even add some music on your recording.

Take a look on this video.

How to make Podcast using Audacity 

The use of such technology can be on of good points for students in the future. They will probably face a moment who obligate them to record or edit audio/video. For teachers, it is also one of good sign that we as teachers keep updated to new technology.

Just like podcast, maybe in everyday life, they listen to the music and play the radio.

Try to make link for the technology used and teaching.

And, your classroom will be more meaningful and joyful. :D

Okay, See ya Fellas on the next Teacher's Path posts. 

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Skype

Skype

Teaching  English will be different if you use technology as the medium. You can find it simple and cool. And "Skype" is one of tools that you can get benefit from it in your teaching process.

Anyone know well about this word "Skype".
But, still, for some others who are not familiar, here is the more explanation about what Skype is.

What is Skype, actually?

Skype is an IP telephony service provider that offers free calling between subscribers and low-cost calling to people who don't use the service.(Techtarget)
Skype also enables you to do file transfer, videoconferencing, texting, and video chat. This application can be downloaded and used in computers, tablets even mobile phones.
But one thing to remember is that, your internet connection must be stable and good.

Just go here, and download it. Here

After you finish downloading it, you need to sign up. Next, check this video to make you more familiar with Skype.

How to use skype

 In teaching speaking, it is very common to ask your students to come forward and then practice their speaking in form of a drama or role play. To make it more extraordinary, you can ask them to download Skype on their mobile phones.

You can ask them to have video call with their friends, and ask them to record it. You will find it easy to evaluate their speaking skill. 

Or, you can do video conference with your students and have online class. You can invite them to speak with different topics outside the classroom. 

What you need to prepare is time and internet connection. 

Be careful if your internet connection is low, you will find your self in and out of the videoconference. Just like this example;

Bad internet connection

Yes, your voice also cannot be heard clearly.

So, what is videoconference? It is a video call that consist of more than two people. Yes, Skype can do this. Please take a look on this video, how to make group call.

How to make group call

Well, do you have any other creative idea to teach speaking using Skype?
Please share more ideas in the comment.


I hope you can enjoy reading this article. Keep readig this Teacher's Path. See Ya!

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Resources for Reading

Your Best Sites for Designing Your Reading Activity

Well.. when teaching reading for different grades, finding the best reading story sometimes is difficult. It is because teachers need to adjust what is written inside the reading passages. Teachers may have difficulty to find best reading text which relatable for their students. Other challenge is also about how teachers deliver the reading text. Another problem which always haunt the teachers is about busyness. Teachers have limited time to prepare their lesson.
However, do not worry too much teachers. In the internet, there are many sites that can help you with what you need. Such resources contain strategies to teach reading, lesson plans, and many books/reading texts.

Here are several best resources for teacher to teach reading.


1. Scholastic

 It is free accessible website that you

 can access anytime. It is design for teachers to teach reading that is aimed for students around 3 to 12 years old. In Scholastic you can find books, teaching tools and videos that can help student' learning process in the classroom.

Many printable tools to teach reading with different topics also can be downloaded. Try to check it by yourself, and you will find it beneficial.

2. K12reader

In K12reader, you will find many worksheets that your students can do. Yes, it is design for young learners up to 12th grade. The material is just perfect, I think. You can have worksheet from the very basic material just like spelling to the high level one such as reading comprehension. K12reader is very easy to access and free. You also can find several articles related to teach reading which can boost your knowledge. 

3. ReadingRockets

This is another children reading resources for teachers. ReadingRockets provides you videos, articles and reading books for young learners. The article mostly about how you can teach reading to young learners. ReadingRockets website is free, you don't need to sign-up or anything. But, if you want to have the reading book, you need to purchase it. 

Well,  those are some of the best online reading resources to teach reading. Before facing your students, do not forget to check the reading passages. You need to consider the content of the reading whether it is okay or safe for their age or not. Also, remember that reading is one of literacy skills. So, you need to monitor your students in the way they read. Do they struggle on reading something or do they enjoy reading it?

Thanks a lot for reading this post. Keep in touch with Teacher's Path. 

Let's find our path in teaching beautifully.

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Best Resources for Speaking

Best Online Resources for Speaking

Talking about Speaking, having someone or friend who can speak English as partner is not easy. Sometimes, they are busy or perhaps, we really have no friends who are confident enough to help us. Such challenge is usually happened for students. They struggle to find friends to communicate with, consistently. Some also fear of getting bullied because others think they are too ambitious or show off their skills.
While for teachers, the challenge comes from how to get material spoken in comprehensible and appropriate accent or speed for the students. 

But, again.. don't worry teachers. There is always way to teach your students.
 I have several resources that will really help you on improving your speaking skill or finding good material for you. 

1. ESLgold

ESLgold is a good resource for teachers. It helps you improve your speaking skill since it has a feature to practise your speaking. It is called Speak English Today. You just need to sign-up and you can practise speaking freely. Another thing is that ESLgold provides you the speaking materials with several different levels. You may check and select the best material that suit your students level. 

2. MyEnglishPages
 In MyEnglishPages you can find many topics which can help you in the classroom. When you click one of topic from the list, you will find some expressions or vocabulary related to the topic. For more advanced learners, teachers could add more vocabulary or expressions out of the given ones. For instance, you can see HERE. It is free access everyone, so please visit MyEnglishPages if you need help for your speaking class.

3. LingoGlobe

 It is a website that you could use for practicing your speaking skill. It can be for students or teachers. In this website, you can have opportunities to communicate with other English speakers around the world. LingoGlobe is free and easy to operate, including to sign-up.
On LingoGlobe , people will help each other. Other fellow will help you improving your speaking skills, while you, can teach them your native language. Such a win-win solution, isn't it? Try it now and get the improvement :D







Well.. Those are just some examples of useful resources for teaching/practicing speaking.
Teachers need to remember that the most important thing about speaking is practising. In other words, opportunity to speak so it is very essential to make sure that your students have enough time to "SPEAK" in your classroom.  Also, ask your students practise their English joyfully, without any negative thoughts about being corrected.

The last one, Teacher's Path will walk with you on finding your own path on teaching.
See ya!

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Facebook for your Classroom

Make "Facebook" more meaningful in the classroom.

Facebook, one of famous words in this millennium era. Just like Twitter and Instagram, Facebook is widely used by everyone to communicate with people in the different countries.

People can send pictures or just post their moments in Facebook.

People also can make private groups in this website by selecting other accounts.

Well, instead of using Facebook only for having fun, teacher can utilize this social media to teach

English.

There would be many different things you can do with Facebook in your classroom.

Just like what I have said, teacher needs to be up to date, right?

I think no one who are unfamiliar with Facebook, and how to use it. 

And I am ,definitely, sure, that your students have Facebook account, even they are more expert on it.

So, if you can put "Facebook things" in your lesson plan, students would put their attention on you.

They will  get excited about what they will do in the classroom, wit their Facebook account. Posting pictures? Sharing what am I doing now? or just Clicking likes for everyone? 

Well, it could be. 

Right, to do this Facebook thing, teachers need to select or decide your learning objective first .

In the same time, you also decide the level of materials for your students.

For instance, today's material is about how to introduce ourselves to other. 

Usually, teachers only ask the students to practice how to greet each others, introducing and telling everyone's favorite food or drinks in front of the class, or write it on their notes. But, let's try another creative thing.

Ask your students to introduce themselves on Facebook. 

Teacher may create a group on Facebook and invite all your students' Facebook account.

How to make group on Facebook. 

After you make a group, post your introduction. 

Introduce yourself as a teacher or you may make it as a game.

Make rules on this Facebook group. You make your unreal/fake identity (what do you want others to call you or know about you) and your students as well.

Ask them to make do the same.

After making those identities, ask your students to comment on your introduction post.

Don't forget to give "Like" to the best introduction.

Don't forget to give feedback to your students.

Feedback is everything for the students. It is the best time to give full support for the students.

Such activity is also good for introducing everyone on Netiquette so that everyone is aware of how to express opinion on the internet. 

Okay, That's all the brief activity using Facebook. Find it more completely on this Link.

  DOWNLOAD

You can put Facebook on the Pre-, Whilst-, or on the Post- activity.

It's all up to you, teacher. You can design your own lesson plan for your classroom.

It's above only an example.

Create your own path in your classroom. 

Okay, everyone. I think enough for Teaacher's Path 's second lesson plan. Hopefully, you can have any other bright idea on your own classroom.

Find your own path, Teachers.

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