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This post is a response to two blog challenges. ELTPics celebrated its first anniversary, coinciding with the upload of the 5000th image in their impressive collection. ELTPics, for those who are still unaware of its existence, is a Flickr group which collects photos uploaded by teachers for others to use, primarily, in the classroom.
To know more about this group, and how to participate, look at Sandy’s excellent post, “How to join in with #eltpics“. If you have problems downloading or using the photos, read my very own simple tutorial on how to access an image from Flickr.
To celebrate its first birthday, ELTPics decide to start a promising blog, Take a photo and… with the idea of selecting one or more photos from its own collection, and suggesting ways we can use them.
For its first post, Fiona appropriately selected the first ever photo uploaded to ELTPics and the 5000th. If you haven’t done so yet, I’d highly recommend your reading it here.
So, this is a class of two adults, of A2 level. I first showed them this picture below. As Fiona suggested, I told them to divide a piece of paper into 4 sections, and write down questions, verbs, nouns, and adjectives. Then, I asked them to compare their notes, and we spoke more about the photo, extending beyond what can be seen, such as if the man is single or married, happy or sad, etc.
When the conversation trickled down, I showed them this other image, the 5000th ELTPic, and asked them to compare and contrast the two photos. Initially, their reaction was one like, “He’s crazy, this teacher of ours. What’s a photo of a fisherman got to do with one of an iron?”
When they relented and paid heed to my “Break down your walls”, some interesting perceptions emerged.
So, this led to the second blog challenge. David Warr challenged us to make a word cloud, using his beta Plant Maker. The concept of the plant maker is elegant and poetic, and if you haven’t seen it in action, I’d heartily recommend you to float along to David’s blog and have a look at the things he’s done. Here are my efforts.
Language Garden (@DavidWarr) said:
A fantastic lesson, by the sound of it, and great integration of the two challenges! Love the language plants and I really think putting the two together enhances both. Fantastic idea, Chiew!
Chiew said:
Thanks David; I think we’ve only just begun to touch its potential. 🙂
Janet Bianchini said:
Hi Chiew
I love how you have combined 2 challenges into one! Your two language plants are beautiful. It looks as though you have got yourself to advanced level very quickly by adding the background image in the first plant 🙂
The ideas you have suggested for using the two pictures are creative ones, and the language plants are a great summary of language points that came up in your lesson. Well done you and your students!!
Best
Janet
Chiew said:
Oh, Jan, you’re making me blush 😉
Yours are pretty, too. For those who haven’t seen them, Jan’s plants are here.
Thanks!
PS: To overlay the image the quick and nasty way, look at my Wordle tutorial: http://acliltoclimb.blogspot.com/2010/11/wordle-of-tricks-and-ideas-101-ways-to.html
Janet Bianchini said:
Hi Chiew
Many thanks for the link back to my post, and also for the link to your Wordle tutorial. I’ve bookmarked the post as it’s very useful to know these tips and tricks for future reference.
Sandy Millin said:
Hi Chiew,
What a great idea to combine both challenges! I love how you always come up with a different take on whatever is floating around in the blogosphere 🙂
Sandy
Chiew said:
Haha, do I now, Sandy? Thanks for popping in! 🙂
Language Garden (@DavidWarr) said:
I agree Sandy, he’s done a great job here.
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