Friday, September 27, 2019

ELD Bingo


The first two periods of this high school English class was beginning ELD (English Language Development).

How beginning? As I was explaining the assignment to half of the class (while the other half worked on something different), I noticed that none of them were listening. They were all focused on their computers or phones. I peeked at what they were doing. They were typing in the instructions from their papers into their devices, and the computer was translating into alphabets I did not recognize.

So, I did a lot of pointing after that.

But then we were to play Bingo. It was in the lesson plan, I swear.

As soon as I pulled out the Bingo set, a couple students started passing stuff out. I instructed those who were in charge that they were. And they got to it.

The instruction was that as soon as a number was called, the students were to repeat it back. And once they started doing that, I realized what this assignment was all about.

They were practicing their numbers.

For the most part, things went pretty well. They got confused between numbers like thirteen and thirty. But, it's B13 and I30, so if they said I-thirteen, I immediately knew something was wrong.

They were very shy shouting out "BINGO!" though. I barely heard it.

Then it was a scramble for the prizes. Where were the prizes? At least I found those readily enough.

The assignment may have been about practicing numbers, but the winners wanted their winnings.

20 comments:

  1. What were the prizes? And I can see how it can be confusing between 13 and 30. In voice recognition for work, the software often confuses 15 and 50 and 80 and 88 and so on. Can be a bit frustrating. Would like it if they did have a system of Bingo with the letter before the number :)

    betty

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  2. Interesting way of presenting the lesson. those translation programs are a lifesaver, aren't they?

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    1. I have no idea. It may help, but then again, it may not.

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  3. That is a smart idea. It's something that engages them and helps them practice.

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  4. Bingo sounds like a really fun and interactive way to practice nos.!

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  5. Students are always focused on the prize. I am going to Bingo tonight. Expecting no wins, but I will enjoy being with the others.

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    1. No prize, and they're likely to stop playing.

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  6. A clever way to have the students practice their numbers. Yes, what were the prizes?

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  7. Hi Liz - it's all about engagement isn't it ... so I'm sure the Bingo game helps ... cheers Hilary

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  8. I wish my school lessons had been this creative - I might have learned something!

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    1. There are all sorts of versions of Bingo that are educational. Too bad they weren't around in our day, right?

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  9. Interesting! Even at a younger age I would have been sorely challenged learning a new language, I think. Best wishes to these students and you, as well.

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    1. I wonder if it's easier when you're surrounded by it. They kind of don't have a choice in learning.

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  10. That's an interesting way to teach numbers.

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  11. I am learning that many languages do numbers completely differently than we do. Like the word for 10 + the word for 5 might be 15, but then the word for 2 + the word for 10, plus the word for 5 is 25. Languages are a mess.

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    1. Yeah, in French 80 is 60 + 20 or something like that. (It's been a while.) I know many people will count in their native language even when they are fairly fluent in their secondary tongue.

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  12. Getting students involved is the best way. It works most of the time.

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  13. It makes so much sense to teach them practically like that because they will have been focused - they wanted the prizes.

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