Conceptualizing the “Shape” of the Lesson:

The Logistics of Learning

Dominik Lukeš, Peace Corps Albania

dlukes@bohemica.com, http://www.bohemica.com

Lesson Narrative1 T introduces theme of the lesson. 2 T plays a board game with Ss. 3 T asks Ss to discuss countries they would like to visit. 4 T elicits and explains vocabulary. 5 T asks Ss to read text and answer several questions. 6 Ss read and then answer supplementary questions about text. 7 Ss say if they have had similar experiences to those in the text. 8 Ss give titles to each paragraph. 9 Ss replace selected words in the text with synonyms. 10 Ss write a similar text about a topic of their interest. 11 T summarizes lesson. 12 T assigns homework.

Lesson Shapes

Linear Beginning, Middle, End Pre-, While-, Post- Test, Teach, Test

Pyramid Presentation, Practice, Production

Cyclic Motivation, Information, Practice, Application

Eclectic Engage, Study, Activate

A: Beginning, Middle, End

Beginning Middle End

T and Ss review and summarize lesson and what was or was not

learned. Homework is

assigned.

Take a roll. Review

homework. Set

atmosphere.

Work with textbook.

Do exercises. Ss debate a given

issue. A review game is

played. Ss work on a test.

A (Cont.): Menus and threads

Starters Entrées DessertsPlay a game

Review homework

Thread

Read text

Learn Vocabulary

Tread

Play game

Translate text

Thread

Week Mon Wed Fri

Week 1 Apple: what is it, what color is it…

Apple: how much is it, where is it

Apple: why is it good for you

Week 2 House: what does it look like

House: what is in it, where is it

House: What is yours like

Threads

B: Pre-, While-, Post-

Pre- While- Post-

Ask Ss to discuss how the

text is relevant to them.

Set the scene, Ask questions about a topic,

Ask Ss to predict text

content based on title

Ask focus questions, Give scanning and

skimming tasks, Ask further

comprehension questions

C: Test, Teach, TestTest Teach Test

Course Ss take a placement test

Ss work on remedial material in assigned groups

Ss take final test

Lesson Ss answer a series of questions

T goes over common errors in dialogues

T asks questions again

Activity

T elicits new vocabulary from Ss

T explains vocab with more examples

T reviews vocab

D: Presentation, Practice, Production

Presentation

Practice

Production

TTT

Teacher Control

STT

Student interaction

Student Independence

Warm up

T presents examples of

language in use and explains new

material

fill in the blank, order, match, choose, answer

questions

information gap, create newsletter, write own version of story, compose and send an actual

letter, interview guests, etc.

E: 4MATConcrete

Experience

Reflective Observation

Active Experimentation

Abstract Conceptualization

Imaginative

AnalyticCommon Sense

Dynamic

Likes to know reason for learning; likes to make personal connections

Likes to theorize; likes to be told the rules; likes to listen to lectures or read

articles

Likes to know how things work; likes to try things

out before using them for real; likes lab work

Likes to do things in a real environment; likes to

take risks; likes doing before talking

E: Motivation, Information, Practice, Application

4 Applicationplan lessonsteach lessonsfind structures in coursebooksfind context for structures

Motivation 1share experiences

participate in a lessonobserve a lesson

go over student errorsread/listen

play with theories in a controlled environmentfill in blanksmatch/order strips of textfind words/grammar in texttranslate/answer questions

3 Practice

make theoriesmake charts

categorizelisten to lectures

and presentations

Information 2

F: Engage, Study, ActivateE Play a game, ask Ss questions about their interest, show a video, read a textS Explain grammar, communicative structure, conduct exercises, work with textsA information gap, create newsletter, write own version of story, compose and send an actual letter, interview guests,

EAS ESESA

ESASAAESSA

ESAESAS

Inductive and deductive sequence

Use Rules

Rules Use

4MAT

PPP

BME, ESA

TTT PWP