Northern CATESOL
Fall 2010
Jenn Gemma
jgemma74@hotmail.com
Sample Lesson Plan for
College Lecture Simulation
Part I. Find out What Students Know (ABOUT participating)
Ask Ss what they know about participating in American schools. How does that compare
with their own school system?
Part II. Cultural Perspective (WHY participate)
Explain that participating in an academic context is important and elicit what teachers
may think about the Ss who participate versus the ones who don’t. Get Ss answers on the
board and add any they may have missed.
What might teachers think if you DO
participate? (examples of answers)
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
engaged
responsible student
smart
Why might teachers think if you DON’T
participate? (examples of answers)
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
uninterested
lazy
not paying attention
Part III. Ways of participating (HOW to participate)
Elicit ways that Ss can participate and add any they have missed.
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share an opinion
ask a question
share related news
share experience
share a story
compare to your own country
respond to a student in class
Part IV. Simulation
Prepare a 15-20 minute lecture where Ss can practice the skills of participating. (NOTE:
I tell them then don’t need to take notes unless it helps them. I emphasize that the point o
of this activity is to give them a chance to practice participating, not note-taking). Allow
Ss a chance to do pair work and ask questions to help facilitate their participation.
Below is a sample of a topic you can use:
Topic: Payment methods for businesses
I.
a.
b.
c.
d.
II.
a.
b.
c.
d.
III.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Pay-What-You-Like
Some business (mostly restaurants) that allow customers to pay what they want for their meal.
These places usually have a donation box or anonymous credit card machine.
Motivations/Philosophy
Example: Terra Bite Lounge in Seattle
Example: One World Eats in Seattle
Sliding Scale
Some business offer classes or services on a sliding scale based on how much a person’s salary is.
Motivations/ Philosophy
Example: Bay NVC
Example: California School of Herbal Studies
Honor System
Some businesses have a set price, but there is no one who checks to make sure the customer has
paid.
Motivations/ Philosophy
Example: Monkey Shala Yoga
Example: Newspapers at BART
More resources for this topic:
http://www.responsibilityproject.com/blog/a-restaurant-tries-the-honor-system#fbid=E8Wpt43F5pk
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7320290
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5377559/
http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/09/02/n_donation_restaurant.cnnmoney/
Part V. Reflection on Participating (ONESELF)
Ask Ss as serious of questions to help them get in touch with how they felt participating.
Sample questions:
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How did you feel participating?
If you didn’t participate, why not?
What made it easy or difficult for you to participate?
How do you feel about participating in future classes/ lectures?