- Speaking
- Google Docs
- My classes became much more student-driven when I let the class write their own speaking assessment questions. Using vocabulary from their class-made Quizlet, I create a chart students can edit to input their weekly speaking questions based on unit themes. Click here for an example. (*Note: All chart content would normally be in French.)
- Quick presentations: I provide a Google Doc outlining brief impromptu speaking presentation guidelines. Students present the name of the musician, a brief biography, influences (on the artist and/or how they have influenced others), famous songs, and a fun fact. Small groups present on different musicians every day, providing the class with a growing bank of new Francophone artists for their personal playlists.
- Google Images – I can quickly search for a speaking topic using Google Images and place them in an ongoing Google Doc. I frequently use this as a warm-up in a variety of ways (to a partner):
- Simple description.
- Create a story surrounding the picture.
- Begin a story and partner finishes it, whether using the same picture or a new one.
- One partner turns his/her back to the picture and must envision what their partner describes.
- YouTube
- Much like the Google Images picture activity, I pair students together, one with his/her back to the board. I play a video first, without sound, while one partner describes the music video. The “blind” partner explains what they heard (it can be pretty interesting!), then we watch the video altogether a second time with sound.
- Presentations: When files are too large to send or in an incompatible format, YouTube helps take the excuse out of “I couldn’t send it to you.” YouTube is a part of teens’ everyday lives but it’s important that we also teach them positive online behavior and good digital citizenship, especially if they are going to put their identities out in video format. A few things:
- Mme G’s Golden Rule: Before you submit your project, ask “Would you show it to your mother and the Dean of Schools?”
- Privacy settings: Many students will make their video “Private” because they do not want it to be out for the public to see. Make sure that your students change the privacy setting to “Unlisted.” This makes their video so that anyone with a link can view and it is not public. Remind them to send the link!
- Restricted access: Further options to be pursued in a future post for those of you restricted from YouTube!
- Google Docs
- Organizing your classroom – Coming soon!
- Writing – Coming soon!
- Presentations – Coming soon!
- Take your students around the world – Coming soon!
The Curious Creator 