Dynamic Classroom – Become actively involved in the process of learning!
One of the challenges after online teaching has been to bring the students back to be part of the dynamics of the class. We must adapt activities to help students continue to feel connected with their own learning, but also with their peers.
In my opinion, no online learning experience can replace the classroom dynamics that include student behaviour, emotions and imagination; giving space to the students for their self-expression.
It also includes a teacher’s way of presenting academic materials and students’ interactions. A teacher’s profession demands dynamism, you must also be organized, encourage participation, surprise your students, try new things, give them structure and consistency (beginning of the class routine, role-play lessons, oral projects) and challenge students to think through appropriate questioning strategies. We move from the simplest to more complex ones, helping them to build their confidence. (* Please see some examples below)
Teachers also need to promote relationships between students in the class, as with team work skills. These relationships need to be positive and productive, because they will have a big impact on the result of the group. We can make them positive by choosing useful aims, relevant topics, and appropriate and fun activity types. Effective teaching and learning cannot take place in a poorly managed classroom.
One recommendation is to make things more visual by showing your class ways they can use images to practice high-frequency structures in Spanish. For example, in my class, I worked on how to present the prepositions of place and present continuous form in a fun and practical way.
To expand on this idea, I asked the students to take “crazy” photos or capture funny videos of their pets during their holidays.
I asked students to describe in Spanish where the animals are and what they are doing in those images, using the prepositions of place and present continuous expressions that we are learning. These videos and photos have personal meaning to them, they are fun to watch and have an academic purpose.
In class, we display the images, and I start lessons by asking the students questions:
A simple yes/no question for the students to answer:
“Is the cat on top of the bed?” ¿Está el gato encima de la cama?
Then asking two option questions:
“Is the cat on top or under the bed?” ¿Está el gato encima o debajo de la cama?
Finally, more difficult and open questions:
“Where is the cat?” ¿Dónde está el gato?
Visual images have become an essential tool in language learning and such a big part of the new generations. They are so adaptable and help students interact with the Spanish language in multiple ways at the same time. During our Spanish lessons this last year, I have encouraged the classes more than ever to send me pictures or videos practicing everything that we have learned in the class.
Javier Vidal
Spanish Teacher
Here are some examples of the images that the students brought to the class or sent to Google classroom for their pets projects:
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The Next World Leaders
In Global Perspectives this term, the Year 6 students have been learning about values. To start off the discussion, they were asked to brainstorm their own personal values. They needed to design and create a poster illustrating which of these values were important to them and explain why. The students presented their posters in class, and wow, the Year 6 teachers were so impressed with their heart-warming presentations.
We then moved on to discuss the differences between ‘wants’ and ‘needs’ and looked through the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Once the students gained a better understanding of children’s rights, they explored how all their educational needs are met, and who is responsible for this.
They then had the opportunity to read our school’s mission and vision statement. In groups, they had a discussion on how the mission statement could be changed or adapted and made suggestions on what they would add to the school’s mission statement.
The Year 6’s will soon move on to researching information on school attendance worldwide and research an organisation that is helping to get every child into school. They will present their findings in class.
It is very impressive to watch the Year 6 students collaborate, develop and unify their ideas. We cannot wait to see what the next presentations hold in store for us.
Keep up the great work Year 6!
Katherine Nel
Year 6 Teacher
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Year 5 Looks To The Future
Throughout the course of Term 3, the Year 5’s have been exploring the different aspects of the working world, thinking a little deeper about the type of jobs they wish to one day have.
We have done extensive research, conducting interviews and internet searches, to find out more about what to expect in our future lives.
We also investigated the possibility of a robot taking our job in the future – making predictions and checking our answers using a website called “Will Robots Take My Job”.
After of all this thought and preparation the Year 5’s were ready to report back to their classes about the jobs they hope to hold when they are older. Let me tell you – considering the vets, astronauts, engineers, teachers and pilots who stood before me this week – I can confidently say that our future is in great hands!
Robyn Pieters
Year 5 Teacher
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Rocking Future – Career Expo 2019
Our Year 11 and 12 students attended a coordinated career expo at school this week.
The morning started out with great enthusiasm as a speaker from Rocking Future gave them a motivational speech. They were informed of all the wonderful and exciting opportunities there is for them to pursue. Representatives from numerous great tertiary education institutions set up displays and freely offered their expertise to help guide our future graduates in their very challenging decisions.
This event is always so successful as it empowers our students with the knowledge they so urgently need during this transition in their lives. They have big decisions to make at a young age and that can cause immense stress for them. At Blouberg International School, we support and guide our students through all these steps, to help them feel at ease while navigating these overwhelming life changes.
Creating excitement and a sound support system around the prospects of the next generation’s careers is the best way to help them face these challenges with confidence, and will prepare them for a bright and successful future.
Written By: Trindade Camara
