Project HOPE Boston
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
Project HOPE Boston is a multi-service agency at the forefront of efforts in Boston to move families up and out of poverty. We provide low-income women with children access to education, jobs, housing, and emergency services; foster their personal transformation; and work for broader systems change.
Routines
Use an Online Platform for a Writing Portfolio
Project Hope Boston/ESOL Program
TAGS: #InstructionalRoutine #ProgramPractice #LearningManagementSystem #Assessments #Google Classroom #ProjectHope
WHAT | Learners will submit writing assessments and assignments to their class online learning management system page.
WHY |Writing Portfolio : Students will organize and store their assessments, writing samples and assignments in one online place. This will allow them to evaluate their writing samples over time and assess their progress. Having their work in one location will also make it easier for them to revise and edit their writing. In this way, Google Classroom will act as a living portfolio holder. Instructors will be able to see all of students’ writings in one place, as well.
Connected Evidence-Based Strategies | This strategy connects to the following evidence-based strategies:
Foster Growth Mindset: Having an online portfolio will allow learners to see the writing progress they have made, and they can make changes to their writing assignments, as needed. Learners can focus on the process of the writing assignment and not just the end result.
HOW | Google Classroom:
Invite students to their class page on Google Classroom by sharing the class code or emailing it to them.
Do a short demo in class to show them where to find the writing assignment posted on the class stream.
Try a short practice exercise. Show students how to submit writing exercises where the instructor can view them.
Give students 20-25 minutes to practice individually and complete a writing assignment.
Have students reflect on their writing skills at periodic intervals.
DIGITAL SKILLS | Implementing this strategy connects to the following digital skill(s):
LL.2: Adapt to New Technology: The students will have to navigate an online platform such as Google Classroom and use it for a specific purpose such as responding to a writing assessment.
IS.1: Use and Apply Information: Students will be shown how to use an online platform such as Google Classroom in class and then they will have to apply their knowledge and try a practice exercise before they complete and submit a response. They will use two language areas such as reading and writing.
Utilize a Collaborative Whiteboard for Writing and Discussion
Project Hope Boston/ESOL Program
TAGS: #ProgramPractice #Collaborative #Jamboard #ProjectHope
WHAT | Learners will share their answers on an online whiteboard to a writing prompt about a reading/article or a topic that we have been discussing in class. They will read their responses and discuss them together in breakout rooms.
WHY | This will give students an opportunity to reflect on and write about a prompt. It will bring more awareness and reflection about a topic because students will be able to see each others responses and discuss them in breakout rooms. Students will use all four language skills: writing, reading, speaking, and listening during this routine.
Connected Evidence-Based Strategies | This strategy connects to the following evidence-based strategies:
Peer Feedback/Peer Review: Students will be able to read their classmates’ writing responses and give feedback.
Handouts/Online Guides/Visual Reading Aids: Students will initially read an article and then be given a handout with a writing prompt to respond to.
HOW | Jamboard:
Do a short demo on Jamboard with class.
Try a short practice exercise with all of the students together.
Try another practice activity if necessary.
Give students 5-10 minutes to practice individually and write an answer to a writing prompt.
Put students in breakout rooms where they can share their responses in small groups and reflect.
DIGITAL SKILLS | Implementing this strategy connects to the following digital skill(s):
CO.2: Collaborate with technology: Learners will have to work together to use a collaborative whiteboard (Google Jamboard) to generate responses. They will also have to use the product in a collaborative way to have further discussion in break out rooms.
CO.7: Share information with others: Learners will be using a new application to write and share ideas. This will help them to communicate effectively in all four language areas: speaking, writing, reading and listening. It will also help improve typing and digital literacy skills.
Utilize a Digital Needs Assessment and Videos to Reinforce Digital Literacy Skills
Project Hope Boston/ESOL Program
TAGS: #InstructionalRoutine #ProgramPractice #Assessment #LearningSoftware #Northstar #BurlingtonEnglish #ProjectHope
WHAT | Learners assess and practice their digital literacy skills over time through a series of online assessment tools available through the program.
WHY | Learners will assess their computer basics skills and then do follow up practice lessons in class to reinforce their skills and learn new ones. After completing an initial computer basics assessment, learners will know first hand what computer skills that they have a solid grasp of and what computer basic skills that they need to keep practicing and improving. Taking the assessment will not be done in a vacuum, but more practice will be built in based on the assessment results. The assessment will give the instructor data about what basic computer skills learners already have prior knowledge of, and then what computer skills they still need to reinforce through practice.
Connected Evidence-Based Strategies | This strategy connects to the following evidence-based strategies:
HOW| Tool Name: Northstar Digital Literacy & BurlingtonEnglish:
Set up Northstar accounts for the learners.
Do the Northstar orientation together in class, so that they know how to locate the computer basics assessment and complete it.
Give students 30-45 minutes to complete the assessment. Review the assessment together in class.
Later, use BurlingtonEnglish digital literacy videos and lessons in class to reinforce and practice their digital skills
Students will continue to build their digital literacy skills by completing self-assessments in class and at home for further practice. They will also be able to access additional digital literacy assessments and videos on the North Star platform.
DIGITAL SKILLS | Implementing this strategy connects to the following digital skill(s):
EF.5: Understand my computer
EF.4: Use the mouse
IS.4: Self-Assess your skills