MAC&COMMUNICATION
  • Home
  • admission
  • about
    • MAC&Comとは
    • イベント
  • BLOG
    • ブログ(日本語)
    • Blog(English)
  • 子供のため

​Margit's Blog

Lots of teaching ideas and thoughts for teachers
and some stories about Life in this beautiful world

Video on how to make A Jamboard

5/31/2021

0 コメント

 

Radio, today VIDEO.😉



Today is the last year of the wonderful month of May.  

And, especially for you~~~I made a little video!

I know many of you are busy and prefer listening to watching. 
And I promise it won't be the rule!
BUT、today I think I really need to SHOW you, because otherwise it will be hard to explain.  'A picture speaks a thousand words" right?

​
I learned about Jamboard from Esther Park, in last years DTT conference.

In this video I am going to show you how to easily create a jam board activity, that you can use interactively, but also as a pdf print.
You will also get the chance to peek into my brain, and experience 'in present continuous', how my ideas develop when I am working and creating stuff.  This was a complete coincidence and a bit messy, but as many of you always tell me:  
'I want to look into your brain':  Here you are!
Entrance fee for this is no money, no likes, no brain surgery either, but 

A COMMENT OR QUESTION

on this activity.  


​Leave your comments below, or if you prefer Facebook, that is fine, too.

​Thank you.




👇👇👇See Below how i create a Jamboard👇👇👇

0 コメント

How to save time

5/28/2021

1 コメント

 

2 excellent games saving me hours

This week I came across two activities that saved me hours of prep time, made my classes lots of fun, and gave the kids a huge amount of practice.

Recently I am not a lot on Social Media.   So it doesn't happen without coincidence that I see something and it is "JUST WHAT I NEED".  

This week was a week like that.

 Maple Leaf Learning Club

Both I came across on "Maple Leaf Learning Club", so let me introduce:

The first one is a card game, you can order on Amazon, and it is called:

READY SET EIGO CARD GAME
Instead of me explaining it, here is the video of how to play it, by the inventor Timothy Hill, himself playing it with his students.
The images are so beautiful and 'clear', the kids loved them, and didn't want to stop playing.  I would say, there are many other things you can do with these cards, and you can get even more speaking practice into it.

What I did for example is:

Each kid kept the cards they discarded.  In the end when the game was finished, each player made the sentences with their cards again, for example.

'This bus is blue' 
'A frog can jump.'

etc


Phonics builder for teachers

The second activity is not a game, but a super hilarious tool for teacher to practice Phonics.
I really really wanted something like this for ages.  And I think every teacher who is teaching phonics is craving for something like this.  
It is such a simple idea, and we have all made some tools like these ourselves to get the kids practice, but I find it so much hassle and stuff to carry around in that old style way.

So, here is the app    This here is a Google Play link, but you get it for iOS devices as well on the app store.

Big shout out to 'The Maple Leaf Learning Club'.  So cool ideas here.  And of course I also highly recommend the other card games, like 'Ho Ho Ho'  'Faster than', 'Spooky Speedy'.
​Check it out!


And here is the video explanation for the app, but this is only for 3 letter words, while the app I am talking about has consonant blends AND AND AND :
Magic e  !!!!!!!


1 コメント

How to make worksheets on Jamboard

5/26/2021

1 コメント

 

how to use jamboard to make worksheets in seconds


A few months ago I have been sharing some templates of Jamboards.

I learned about Jamboard from Esther Park, in last years DTT conference.

Thanks  a lot for trying them.  It seems like especially the Demon Slayer one was a big hit with teachers and students, at least here in Japan.
Today I got the question, why do I use Jamboard to create worksheets, instead of Pages (I am a MAC user).

In Jamboard I can create a worksheet in under 3 minutes.
It stays in my Google library as long as I want, and I CAN, if I WANT, use it interactively.
but I CAN also create a pdf file and print it as a worksheet.

It is super easy, and this way I can tailor the worksheets so that they suit my classes, my kids, level and interest wise.

I hate doing the same lesson twice.  I think it is unnatural, so, even if I am teaching the same structures in two same aged and leveled classes, the flow and often the material I use is pretty different.  
Why would I use Micky Mouse in a class that is into Minions, for example.

So, instead of adjusting my classes to the worksheets I have, I adjust the worksheets to the classes.  Easy!


Here a few examples of some simple stuff I made 5 minutes before class.  I am not exaggerating with the time here, so you will of course notice that they are absolutely MINIMALISTIC!  Bare with me there.  If you are more into beauty and design, of course you can spend more time and make them more beautiful, but I am happy to keep it simple and have the kids add inspiration and color!!!
​

If you are using Jamboard already, it would be great if you could share ONE idea how!

If you aren't and would like to know how to use it, LIKE this post or leave a comment.

Have a great day!
​
1 コメント

what are the best language learning apps

5/25/2021

0 コメント

 

For students AND teachers!


30 years ago I learned Indonesian Language.
I really really liked it, but I only got good, when I travelled over the islands for almost 3 months.  It was amazing how easy it was to communicate without any textbook or dictionary.  It is such a simple beautiful language.
However, after those three month in 1991 I never ever went there anymore, nor did I meet anyone from Indonesia I could have talked to, nor did I continue studying.

Result:

I forgot!  At least I thought I had forgotten!

Until I met this app!!!


​

Duolingo!

画像
I started to play, to figure out wether I should suggest the app to my students.

I am not a 'Gamer' at all.

However, this got me!  Within 2 weeks of playing I was able to talk for 5 minutes about myself in Indonesian.  And those 2 weeks were something like, 15 minutes game (FUN!)/day.  No cramming of vocab or studying of grammar.

This was 2019, and obviously with Corona and all that went on I didn't touch the app for more than 1.5 years again, until 3 days ago.

And, surprise, surprise, I am basically where I stopped after just 2 days (30 minutes) of playing.


​Why is Duo lingo so good and how does it help language teachers?


What about Duo lingo is so good and what can we learn from it as teachers?

It starts very simple, it gives you some words and pictures to choose from, and it does it in a way, that you hardly can mistake.
Then it goes into sentences,
sometimes you have to listen and write,
sometimes you have to listen and choose the words you have heard from a list, 
sometimes  you have to translate into English 
and sometimes you have to translate from English into the language you are learning.

But whichever the task is, there are tiny hints, that help you getting it correct and feeling motivated, without really realizing there was a hint.
One  example the word in a sentence that has to come first starts with a capital letter.

Getting 10 correct in a row, and even harder sentences perfect is a confidence booster and makes us wanting to go on.  
While we see those easy sentences again and again and again, with different slightly new words, we remember the sentence patterns and grammar, without noticing, and this way we improve and can suddenly get along without any crutches.

Isn't this what we should do with our students?
Instead of giving them new grammar patterns and new expressions, and expecting that they memorize them, repeat and repeat without them really noticing that things are repeated because the content is so engaging, and then when they really got it, move on to something slightly new and different.

And here you can see me play and showing you what I mean with 'crutches'

​Which language are you going to try?


0 コメント

Selfcare

5/24/2021

0 コメント

 
Selfcare has been a hot topic already before COVID hit, but this year there are more requests than ever.  So, a few thoughts in Episode 2 of MAC Radio. 

​
0 コメント

Mac Radio

5/21/2021

0 コメント

 

on the radio

I'm going to start something new.

A little radio of mine.

Every Monday, here!

画像
You can listen to it on any day you like.

You can ask me questions.

You can comment.

You can request topics.

You can call out so we can do a show together.

Or you can just listen, relax or get inspired.

Today is a little introduction  just  to see how this works.
0 コメント

Among us, Word wolf, Mafia, ...all for Language learning

5/21/2021

0 コメント

 

Word Wolf


As I was so late the last two times, a little bonus this month.

One of our favorite games for teenagers:

Word Wolf.

​It is super super easy!
画像
画像

In a group of students, there are two words handed out secretely amongst the players.
Let's say 8 students:
We will have 6 students with a certain word (dog)
and the other 2 with another word (cat).

Then ready steady go and timer set:
Within 3 (or 5 or 7) minutes students must ask each other questions and start a discussion about their word (without mentioning it), to figure out who is the word wolf (=the one less players got, so here 'cat')
They don't have to tell the truth, it doesn't matter, as long as figure out who is the word wolf.  
So, in this case it will be something like this:

Is it a pet?
Yes.
Is it cute?
I don't know.
or
No, I think it is scary. ...
Do you have one?
Yes/No...
etcetc

Now everyone has to listen carefully and try to not give away too much of himself, in case he is the word wolf, yet trying to figure out, what is the main word, and who is same party.

After time is over, everyone at once points to whoever they think is the word wolf.  The one with the most votes is the chosen one, and IF he is indeed a word wolf, the team has won, if not then the wolves have won.


You can try to focus on certain language structures to go with the game:
Do you like
Do you have
Is it ...

You can also have them go for WH questions:
What do you think of this?
When do you have this?
...

Choose two items that are somewhat related, some examples:

coffee  tea
​Line, Phone
gelato,  softcream
Crayon, Marker
...
You can also get the App.


0 コメント

Game of the month~May

5/19/2021

0 コメント

 

Where are you from?

画像
This is again a game that can be played in person OR online, OR for homework through video apps, for example Flipgrid.
​
All it needs is to:

1)   Introduce (or review):  'Where are you from?'  'I'm from...+country/region names)'

2) Then I go on a tour with my students, through the house.  This is why ONLINE is much better than in person, obviously it will be chaotic to take dozens of kids through your house.
Show kids all kinds of things, for example the tomatoes in your fridge, and ask 'Where is it from?'>>check the label, and be surprised about facts you yourself didn't know so far.

3)  Have kids introduce items and their origin for homework in a video.
You will be surprised what they find.  Parents will be surprised and love it.

4)  If kids can write, or should practice writing, have them take a photo or draw a picture of the item and write the introduction.



画像
0 コメント

Game of the month

5/18/2021

0 コメント

 

April 


IT is May, yes, and 
(I KNOW I AM LATE)😉
画像

The new school year started in April, and with 3 new classes and 20 new students at once I was a bit overwhelmed remembering names of kids and parents and linking it all together.
Anyway, here we go for our game of the month, and it is 
​

A game I play online 

but of course you can play it in person, and I think it actually was created go that.  I enjoy this game much more On Line, though!


Bad Unicorn ~ child friendly Mafia game

​


I guess all of you know the Mafia game.

In Japan it has been all around even down to low grade Elementary classes.  Teachers played it in Japanese classes or Moral education classes, in many variations.

I have not had too much success in my in person classes, just because kids were just too obvious in one and the same space.  Now ONLINE it is much easier, so I gave this version from Erika Peplinski a try and my students love it.

There is a lot of listening and talking involved, yet it is so easy to personalize, so kids are really intrigued.
And, it doesn't cost a penny! 

Enjoy, and let me know how it goes.


Oh, and on a site note, you can now use the RSS button on  the right, to make sure you get updates on my blog.  More soon.
0 コメント
    Search
    画像


    Margit Yokota
    
    Born and grown up in Germany I came to Japan with 22 to make my mom's wish come true:
    BE HAPPY!
    Now I'm a mother and I wish from my heart that my kids
    BE HAPPY!
    And I'm an educator and I do all I can to fulfill this big dream of most parents for their kids:
    BE HAPPY!

    Archives

    11月 2021
    10月 2021
    7月 2021
    6月 2021
    5月 2021
    3月 2021
    2月 2021
    1月 2021
    11月 2020
    6月 2020
    5月 2020
    4月 2020
    3月 2020
    1月 2020
    9月 2019
    8月 2019
    7月 2019
    6月 2019
    5月 2019
    4月 2019
    3月 2019
    1月 2019
    12月 2018
    10月 2018
    9月 2018
    8月 2018
    7月 2018
    6月 2018
    5月 2018
    4月 2018
    3月 2018
    2月 2018
    1月 2018
    12月 2017
    11月 2017
    10月 2017
    8月 2017
    7月 2017
    6月 2017
    5月 2017
    4月 2017
    1月 2017
    12月 2016
    11月 2016
    10月 2016
    9月 2016
    8月 2016
    7月 2016
    6月 2016
    5月 2016
    4月 2016
    3月 2016
    2月 2016
    1月 2016
    12月 2015
    11月 2015
    10月 2015
    9月 2015
    8月 2015
    7月 2015
    6月 2015
    5月 2015
    4月 2015
    3月 2015

    Categories

    すべて
    Challenge Ideas
    Classroom Ideas
    Easter And Spring
    Events
    Life In Japan
    Phonics
    Show
    Teacher Training
    Teaching Online
    Teenagers
    Travelling

    RSSフィード

    Archives

    11月 2021
    10月 2021
    7月 2021
    6月 2021
    5月 2021
    3月 2021
    2月 2021
    1月 2021
    11月 2020
    6月 2020
    5月 2020
    4月 2020
    3月 2020
    1月 2020
    9月 2019
    8月 2019
    7月 2019
    6月 2019
    5月 2019
    4月 2019
    3月 2019
    1月 2019
    12月 2018
    10月 2018
    9月 2018
    8月 2018
    7月 2018
    6月 2018
    5月 2018
    4月 2018
    3月 2018
    2月 2018
    1月 2018
    12月 2017
    11月 2017
    10月 2017
    8月 2017
    7月 2017
    6月 2017
    5月 2017
    4月 2017
    1月 2017
    12月 2016
    11月 2016
    10月 2016
    9月 2016
    8月 2016
    7月 2016
    6月 2016
    5月 2016
    4月 2016
    3月 2016
    2月 2016
    1月 2016
    12月 2015
    11月 2015
    10月 2015
    9月 2015
    8月 2015
    7月 2015
    6月 2015
    5月 2015
    4月 2015
    3月 2015

    RSSフィード

のシステムを使用 カスタマイズできるテンプレートで世界唯一のウェブサイトを作成できます。
  • Home
  • admission
  • about
    • MAC&Comとは
    • イベント
  • BLOG
    • ブログ(日本語)
    • Blog(English)
  • 子供のため