Topic: Travelling (Exercise)

This exercise is prepared by the Leaf Academy. It is part of the Spectator College programme and it is linked to the articles: Unknown places worth visiting in Slovakia and Slovakia has 15,000 kilometres of marked hiking routes.

CONTENT
EXERCISE 1:Unknown places worth visiting in Slovakia
EXERCISE 2:Slovakia has 15,000 kilometres of marked hiking routes
Recommended Usage and Format for exercises

Exercise 1 linked to the article: Unknown places worth visiting in Slovakia

Lesson Objectives

• Read text and demonstrate understanding (comprehension, analysis, connection, and transfer)

• Analyze position

• Respond to argument and work with evidence

1. Read article (10 minutes)

• Underline any words you do not recognize or understand.

1. Understanding: (5 minutes)

2. Have each student share word(s) they don’t know and define them.

1. Summarize/Monitor Understanding/Research (10 minutes)

2. The article makes it clear that there has been in increase in overall tourism in Slovakia. Explain the reasons for the increase in both Slovak and international tourists.

1. Focused Free Write: (5 minutes writing, 5-minute discussion)

2. Prompt: Choose one of the two regions where you do not reside and make a case for why your class should go visit the region. Use evidence from the article and try to connect to what you are or have learned this year.

1. Discussion (10 minutes)

2. Discuss possible class trip options to another region of Slovakia and try to find consensus.

Exercise 2 linked to the article: Slovakia has 15,000 kilometres of Marked Hiking Routes

Lesson Objectives

• Read text and demonstrate understanding (comprehension, analysis, connection, and transfer)

• Analyze position

• Respond to argument and work with evidence

1. Read article (5 minutes)

• Underline any words you do not recognize or understand.

1. Understanding: (5 minutes)

2. Have each student share word(s) they don’t know and define them.

1. Summarize/Monitor Understanding/Research (10 minutes)

2. Explain the main challenge of the Slovak Hiking Club in marking trails.

3. Explain in your own words the four types of routes, each distinguished by a different colour.

1. Focused Free Write: (5 minutes writing, 5-minute discussion)

2. Prompt: Hiking is an important outdoor activity for Slovaks and the re-marking of trail routes should be fully funded. Agree or disagree with this statement and cite both evidence from the article as well as your own personal experiences.

1. Discussion (10 minutes)

2. Find similarities and differences in student views on the funding of trail re-marking.

Recommended Usage and Format for exercises

We believe a discussion-based format is best for achieving the learning objectives. We also believe that using the technique Writing as Thinking helps students to formulate their ideas and practice their writing in advance of the discussion. The degree of facilitator and adult involvement will vary according to student background and secondary objectives.

Writing

Model by being willing to write along with students and also to share your writing with the class.

Let them know before writing if they will be asked to share their writing out loud.

Here writing is first thoughts, so poor spelling, punctuation or conventions are not the focus.

Focus on engaging with ideas.

They do not need to apologize for the quality of their writing.

Discussion

Set expectations for active listening and body language

Engage introverts and extroverts, be mindful of dominant voices

Be mindful of how much you are speaking

Manage time

Encourage students to respond directly to each other, and not through the facilitator, using evidence- I agree with Igor’s point because…

Encourage everyone to draw from evidence in the text to support their points, avoid generalizations

Can you point to a line in the text…

Can you help me to understand…

Could you give an example…

Use techniques to encourage other voices

Let’s hear some other thoughts…

Let’s hear from someone who hasn’t contributed yet...

Techniques for managing time/discussion

Put this in the parking lot and move on…

Let’s pause here…

Parts of the lesson

Focused Free Write- an opportunity for students to write freely, but about a specific prompt.

Reflection- an opportunity to think about the lesson, what they have learned and hopefully how it will help them or how it connects to their life

Underlining words- this strategy is a good habit for students and it also allows them more ownership of their vocabulary.

This exercise is prepared by the Leaf Academy and it is part of the Spectator College, a programme created by The Slovak Spectator.