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The Mud and the Muck

Summer 2008

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Spring 2008

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Winter 2008

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Fall 2007

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Summer 2007

Employment is our theme for the Summer 2007 issue of The Mud and the Muck.

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Spring 2007
As a non-profit organization involved in literacy work, we love cost-effective alternatives to good teaching! Check out our Spring 2007 issue, packed with online and other low-cost resources for teachers, tutors, students, and program managers.

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Winter 2007

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Fall 2006
Our recent newsletter is a combination of articles for tutors, teachers, program coordinators, and directors.

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Previous Newsletters

Fall 2004
From Speaking to Reading: Bridging the Literacy Gap
Student and teacher – generated materials can be used to teach literacy to new readers and speakers of English. Many methods for collecting literacy materials from students’ lives are described and illustrated along with activities for practicing new reading and writing skills.


Winter 2004
Teaching Beginning Literacy
Teaching English literacy skills to pre-literate, non-literacy, and semi-literate students poses different challenges for a tutor. A selection of activities for approaching beginning reading and writing is included.


Summer 2002
Playing Games
Games turn hard work into fun work, give teachers a way to assess students, and review previously taught skills. Four games are described with adaptations for different skill levels.


Fall 2002
 Teaching with Pictures
Creative lessons are presented using the full potential of pictures - either cut from magazines or hand drawn by the teacher or the students.


Winter 2001
The Literacy Puzzle: Approaches and Activities for ESL Literacy
This approach to literacy begins with teaching alphabet sounds that convert into words that form structures and sentences the student can use in daily life. Sections include Tips and Techniques, the Language Experience Approach, and a Class Newspaper.


Summer 2001
 Watch Students Learn
An assessment model - KWIL - is an inherent part of all learning activities. A sample lesson plan using the model illustrates the process.


Fall 2001
Practice Makes Perfect: Teaching and Assessing Speaking Skills
Students often say they want to improve their conversation. This edition contains a comprehensive lesson plans for developing the skills for giving a complement and asking follow-up questions. I t includes a worm-ups, introductions to new language along with activities for increasing fluency and accuracy.

 
Summer 2000
Projects for Life; Creating Situations for Non-Stop Talking
Projects involve students working together to create a project, plan an event or outing, or find something out through research. Suggestions and activities encourage students to engage in conversation.


Fall 2000
 Problem Posing
Problem-solving activities allow students to practice their English with content that is immediately relevant to their lives and is therefore motivating and engaging.


Winter 1999
Beyond the Basic Language Skills: Research and Problem Solving at Any Level
Students not only need to know how to speak, listen, read, and write, they need to use their English to make decisions, negotiate, and advocate. Students can practice their English while doing research and problem solving activities at a variety of levels. Activities include grids, information gap, pair dictation, information exchange, and community research.


Spring 1999
Balancing Multi-Level Needs, Using Grids, and Creating Situations for Non-Stop Talking
A variety of activities are presented for groups of ESL learners that may come from diverse backgrounds with varying language needs and literacy levels. Grids can be used for literacy and oral practice. Ideas for large group and small group conversation activities are described.


Summer 1999
Citizenship Games
Three illustrated board games are presented for beginning and more advanced ESL learners to practice basic English and citizenship information.


Fall 1999
ESL Activities: A Retrospective
This collection describes simple activities for practicing speaking, listening, reading, and writing English. The topics include Warm-up Activities, Discovering the Story, Structured Conversation, Activities Using Index Cards, Number Bingo, and Meaningful Numbers.

 

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