G FLE Writing

Elementary Intensive, Jan.3 -Jan.28, 2011

Writing about why we teach.
Exploring how we can teach English better.

Dear Emerging Writer,

Welcome to GIFLE Writing! The primary goal of this module is to introduce you to the
four-step writing process to improve your English writing skills. We recognize that,
although many of you have already been teaching elementary school English for a number
of years, few of you have had sufficient opportunities to develop your own writing
proficiency. This course intends to address this by having you write, write, and write!

By the end of this course you will have completed:

 1 Personal Letter (3-5 paragraphs)  3 classroom contributions
 Weekly written reflections  Show and Tell Workshop
 In-class writing exercises you can use  Instructor-Trainee Consultation
in your own classroom (optional)

For some of you, you will be getting more writing practice in one month at GIFLE than your entire
undergraduate university career! (How’s that for practice?)

Secondly, you will be encouraged to reflect on your motivation and development as a Korean
elementary school English teacher. As teacher trainers, we have observed that when a teacher can
thoughtfully answer, “Why do I teach?” and “What must I do to become a great teacher?” their
perceptions of themselves and their students become more hopeful. When a teacher is confident in their
purpose in the classroom, not surprisingly, the “How can I actually achieve this?” question also becomes a
lot easier to answer. Thus in this module, we will be spending a lot of time challenging you to think more
deeply about your own teaching practice and giving you ample opportunities to write about it through
periodic written reflections.

Finally, having explored some of your motivations and philosophies behind your teaching, you will
be introduced to various practical lesson strategies that you can use in your own elementary school
context. The main way we’ll be doing this is through the Show and Tell Workshop, a chance for you to
experiment and analyze different writing activities before sharing them with your students. In addition,
throughout the course we will be introducing many other writing activities that you can adapt in your own
English classroom.

In our brief month together, we hope you will experience the unique joy that comes from the best
kind of writing, true expressions of the mind and heart. Indeed, writing of this soulful nature is one crucial
step to becoming a better English teacher, both for your students and yourself.

All the best on your upcoming writing journey!

Christian Poon Darren Ng

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 G FLE WritingElementary Intensive, Jan.3 -Jan.28, 2011
Writing about why we teach.
Exploring how we can teach English better.

1. Contact Information
Your Instructors

Christian Poon
Office  031-680-3657
Email  gifle.writing.christian@gmail.com

Darren Ng
Office  031-680-3656
Email  darren.gifle@gmail.com

Need…
Website

…to know what’s for homework?

…samples of previous trainee’s writing?
…writing activities and resources for your class?

http://giflewriting.pbworks.com

Got questions Talk to us!

or concerns? We want to help! Our doors are

OPEN
 Email
Quick Chat
to you!

Scheduled
Appointment

2. Course Objectives
1. We will help you improve your writing skills.
Trainees will improve their proficiency in English essay writing through various individual and group writing
activities, and an optional consultation session with their instructor (Sessions 1-6). By the end of the course,
trainees should be able to independently produce a 3-5 paragraph personal reflection letter.

2. We will show you how to teach writing in your English classroom.

Trainees will learn how to teach writing in their own English classrooms by being introduced to various
practical writing lesson strategies and activities. This objective will primarily be achieved through the Show
and Tell Workshop in Sessions 4-7 and in-class writing exercises throughout the course.

3. We will encourage you to reflect on your teaching through writing.

Trainees will reflect on the questions, “Why do I teach?” and “How can writing help me be a better English
teacher?” through periodic reflections, in-class discussions, and completing their personal reflection letter.

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 G FLE Writing
Elementary Intensive, Jan.3 -Jan.28, 2011
Writing about why we teach.
Exploring how we can teach English better.

3. Evaluation
Section Marks Description

Compose a 3-5 paragraph personal letter according to the

guidelines we discuss in class.

60 Final Draft due Friday, Jan 21@ 8:45am

(See the “Personal Letter” handout and the “Sample Letters”

Personal Letter section of our writing website for more details and examples)

Beginning with a clear objective, plan and present a

writing activity to supplement an existing lesson from
40 your elementary English textbook.

Show and Tell (See “Writing Teacher Show and Tell” handout for more details)

Workshop
Help create an engaging classroom environment
and inspire your peers to write better!

15 Bring in 3 of your favourite quotes, poems, lesson ideas,

articles, or snacks to encourage your fellow trainees!
Classroom
Contributions 3 Contributions x 5pts each = 15 Pts
Periodically, you will be given reflection questions
to answer in written form.

These will help…

16 …you reflect on your motivations as an English teacher.
...us to understand what you are thinking and feeling
...us make the course better.

Written Reflections 16 Pts = for completion and thoroughness

Come to class enthusiastic, ready to learn and share!

5
5 Pts for attendance and participation.
Participation
Total: 136 Marks
Late Assignment Policy
Trainees are expected to hand-in their assignments at the due dates indicated by their instructor. Failure
to do so will result in a 5% deduction per day towards their assignment. If a trainee is unable to hand-in
their assignment at the assigned due date, the trainee should request an extension from their instructor at
least 24 hours ahead of time.

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 G FLE WritingElementary Intensive, Jan.3 -Jan.28, 2011
Writing about why we teach.
Exploring how we can teach English better.

4. Important Due Dates

Assignment Session Due My Due Date
Select your letter topic 2
Pre-writing 3
Letter Introduction 4
Letter Body + Conclusion 5
Your
Personal Letter (First Draft) Consultation Date
Friday, Jan 21
Personal Letter (Final Draft) @ 8:45am
Sign-up for
Show and Tell Workshop sessions 4,5,6,or 7
Publish your Personal Letter
Web Publishing 7 and Show + Tell in class!

5. Course Schedule
Session 1: Welcome to GIFLE Writing!
Aims
 Trainees will be introduced to the course and their instructor.

 Trainees will reflect on several questions critical to their development as a teacher and writer: "What are my
motivations for being a teacher?”; “Why is teaching writing important?”; “What fears do I have about writing and how
do I overcome them?”

 Trainees will read letters from previous trainees and think about how they can make their time in this module more
purposeful and practical for themselves.

Class Schedule Assignments*

1. Trainee and instructor introductions 1. Choose your letter topic
2. The Pile Game 2. Review course syllabus
3. Letters from Past Trainees 3. Complete your survey
4. Syllabus overview and assignment overview:
Personal Letter and Show and Tell workshop

*Assignments are always due the class after they were given, unless stated otherwise by the syllabus or your instructor.

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 G FLE Writing Elementary Intensive, Jan.3 -Jan.28, 2011
Writing about why we teach.
Exploring how we can teach English better.

Session 2: The 4-Step Writing Process,

Formatting Personal Letters
Aims
 Trainees will be introduced to the 4-Step Writing Process (Prewriting, Writing, Editing, and Sharing) as one strategy to
improve their writing efficiency and effectiveness.

 Trainees will learn how to use Mind Maps or Webs, a form of prewriting, to capture initial ideas and create a useful
framework to develop one’s writing.

 Trainees will learn how to properly format a personal letter.

Class Schedule Assignments*

1. The 4-Steps of Writing: An Overview 1. Complete Pre-writing mind map for your letter
2. Prewriting: Using Mind Maps to plan your writing 2. Sign-up for an instructor consultation
3. How to properly format your letter (optional)

Session 3: Letter Structure,

Writing Letter Introductions
Aims
 Trainees will learn how to identify the essential parts of a reflective personal letter and reproduce these elements in
their own writing.
 Trainees will learn how to write an engaging introduction to their personal letter.
 Trainees will learn how to construct their own thesis statements to give focus to their letters.

Class Schedule Assignments*

1. Components of an Effective Personal Letter 1. Compose your letter’s introduction paragraph

2. “Mixed Up” Letter re-ordering exercise 2. Sign-up for an instructor consultation

3. Using thesis statements to give your letter focus (optional)

3. Group 1 prepare an activity to present for your

Show and Tell workshop

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 G FLE Writing Elementary Intensive, Jan.3 -Jan.28, 2011
Writing about why we teach.
Exploring how we can teach English better.

Session 4: Writing Letter Bodies + Conclusions,

Dos and Don’ts in Letter Writing, Teacher Show and Tell Workshop (Group 1)
Aims
 Trainees will learn the importance of ongoing editing through peer correcting their classmate’s letter introduction.
 Trainees will learn how to use concrete details and personal examples to develop effective body paragraphs of their
letter.
 Trainees will learn how to succinctly “wrap up” their main ideas to write an effective conclusion to their letter.
Trainees will learn how to avoid or correct common writing errors in letter writing.

Class Schedule Assignments*

1. In class editing and sharing: letter introductions 1. Compose your body paragraph(s) and
2. How to write effective body paragraphs to your letter conclusion paragraph of your letter
3. Dos and Don’ts in letter writing: (Have your typed first draft ready for your
Avoiding and correcting common letter writing errors. optional consultation)
4. Show and Tell Workshop, Group 1 2. Group 2 prepare an activity to present for your
Show and Tell workshop
3. Sign-up for an instructor consultation
(optional)

Session 5: Error Correction,

Creating Flow, Teacher Show and Tell Workshop (Group 2)
Aims
 Trainees will learn several ways to correct writing errors and give encouraging, focused feedback to their students.
 Trainees will learn how to use linking words, sequence words, summary words, and other linking strategies to improve
their essay’s cohesion and coherence (flow).

Class Schedule Assignments*

1. In-class editing and sharing: letter bodies and conclusions 1. Group 3 prepare an activity to present for your
2. Focused and encouraging Error Correction Show and Tell workshop
3. How to create flowing letters 2. Have your typed first draft of your letter ready
4. Show and Tell Workshop, Group 2 for your optional consultation

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 G FLE Writing
Elementary Intensive, Jan.3 -Jan.28, 2011
Writing about why we teach.
Exploring how we can teach English better.

Session 6: How to Teach Elementary Writing,

Teacher Show and Tell Workshop (Group 3)
Aims
 Trainees will be given an overview of how to incorporate writing into their existing English classes, emphasizing the
importance of identifying clear objectives and target language before choosing writing activities.
 Trainees will analyze and critique several controlled, guided, and free-writing activities for possible adaptation in
their own English classrooms.

Class Schedule Assignments*

1. Planning a Writing Class: Purposeful vs. Busy writing activity 1. Final draft of your letter due Friday, January 21

2. Help me! The pro’s and con’s of controlled, guided, and free @ 8:45am

writing. 2. Group 4 prepare an activity to present for your

3. Show and Tell Workshop, Group 3 Writing Teacher Show and Tell workshop

Session 7: Show and Tell (Group 4) and Wrap-Up

Web-Publishing
Aims
• Trainees will review the various writing activities they have experienced and reflect on how they can best adapt these
for use in their own classrooms.

• Trainees will reflect on the importance of planning lessons that appeal to different learning styles.
• Trainees will identify their own learning preferences and learn how this can create “blind spots” in their lesson
planning.
• Trainees will learn how to web-publish their completed letters on the course website.

Class Schedule Assignments*

1. Show and Tell Workshop 1. Web-publish the final draft of your essay
2. Review and reflective wrap-up of show and tell activities on the writing website
Discussion: Lessons that appeal to all learners

3. Web-publishing

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 G FLE Writing Elementary Intensive, Jan.3 -Jan.28, 2011
Writing about why we teach.
Exploring how we can teach English better.

Session 8: Farewell!
What’s Next in Your Writing Journey?
Aims
• To encourage trainees both professionally and personally by doing a group read-aloud of a short inspirational writing
piece.

• To provide trainees with further online and offline writing resources to supplement their ongoing development as
emerging writers and English educators.

Class Schedule Assignments*

1. Group read-aloud 1. As much as possible, apply what you have
2. What’s next in our writing journey? learned in your classroom!
3. Suggested offline and online resources
4. End of course reflection

6. Recommended Reading
For a complete list, please go to the “Resources” section on our Writing website:

http://giflewriting.pbworks.com