(source: Ján Krošlák, SME)
This exercise is prepared by the Leaf Academy. It is part of the Spectator College programme and it is linked to the articles: Talent is not always enough - sport is an expensive hobby and Board games attract more and more people.
CONTENT
EXERCISE 1:Talent is not always enough - sport is an expensive hobby
EXERCISE 2:Board games attract more and more people
Recommended Usage and Format for exercises
EXERCISE 1 linked to the article:Talent is not always enough - sport is an expensive hobby
Lesson Objectives
Read text and demonstrate understanding (comprehension, analysis, connection, and transfer)
Practice writing, demonstrate creativity.
1. Read article (10 minutes)
Underline any words you do not recognize or understand.
2. Understanding: (5 minutes)
Have each student share word(s) they don’t know and define them.
3. Summarize/Monitor Understanding (10 minutes)
What are the challenges faced by athletes who come from socially disadvantaged backgrounds? How has the Slovak Olympic sought to help athletes overcome these challenges?
What is the role of Special Olympics Slovakia? Why do they carry out their unique mission?
4. Focused Free Write: (10 minutes)
The Slovak Olympic Committee should take a lesson from Special Olympic Slovakia and broaden their financial support for greater numbers of socially disadvantaged young athletes. Support or refute this statement and use evidence from the article to support your position.
5. Discussion (10 minutes)
Find similarities and difference in opinions regarding whether the Slovak Olympic Committee should increase their financial support for socially disadvantaged athletes.
EXERCISE 2 linked to the article: Board games attract more and more people
Lesson Objectives
Read text and demonstrate understanding (comprehension, analysis, connection, and transfer)
Practice writing, demonstrate creativity.
1. Read article (5 minutes)
Underline any words you do not recognize or understand.
2. Understanding (5 minutes)
Have each student share word(s) they don’t know and define them.
3. Summarize/Monitor Understanding (15 minutes)
Board games are becoming more popular. Explain WHY the author believes this is true and WHAT is the evidence they use to support this position.
Based on your friends and relatives do you agree or disagree with the author’s position? What EVIDENCE do you have to support or refute the author’s position?
4. Focused Free Write (10 minutes)
Prompt: In the age of video games, board game popularity continues to rise with increased sales year after year (Euromonitor International). Explain why you believe this is true citing both evidence from the article and your own personal experiences.
5. Discussion (10 minutes)
Discuss similarities and differences in opinion regarding the rise in popularity of board games.
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.
