design challenge prototype

​Reading Latin Design Challenge

How can I get students actually rea​ding Latin?

allow for student choice in reading selection or topic

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provide differentiation so that L2 is received at each student's level

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​reimagine class structure (physical and logistical) for reading

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​offer high engagement and instant feedback activities

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​ween students off the need to translate each individual word

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​present reading in a low-stress environment

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​include students as informed and autonomous learners

​7 design principles

​The solution must...

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​The solution must allow for student choice in reading selection or topic

​Design Principle #1

Amazon was all too happy to help recommend books and sort by author and language. I made an initial wishlist and luckily got it fully funded.

​The solution must allow for student choice in reading selection or topic

​Finding Books

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Open Ended

What would be some good book additions for next year? Any authors I neglected to include? Favorite tiered readers that aren't too textbook-y?

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I already had a "Classics Library" section of my Google Site which is where I now have the new additions posted.

​The solution must allow for student choice in reading selection or topic

​Organizing Books

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Open Ended

Does the layout make sense? Did I actually manage to get the correct hyperlinks, images and book descriptions?

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​The solution must provide for differentiation so that L2 is received at each student's level

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​Design Principle #2

I'm fairly sure most students aren't good judges of their proficiency so I made a test based on old National Latin Exam passages.

​The solution must provide for differentiation so that L2 is received at each student's level

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​Determining Proficiency

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Open Ended

I don't love using Google Forms here, any other ideas for platform? Maybe something that will ask a few "redemption questions" if they get just one wrong at a level. Did the levels seem ok? Did you progress (or not) as intended?

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Although many authors stated things like "meant for novice readers" or "suitable for Latin III", some did not and there were also disparities (like in women's clothing sizes...). All the books are tentatively sorted on my Google Site.

​The solution must provide for differentiation so that L2 is received at each student's level

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​Proficiency Levels

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Open Ended

What seems wildly out of place?

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​My idea was to make something like this, but for our FVR books and color coded by proficiency. I made this on Canva and plan on having students clothespin what they are reading.

​The solution must provide for differentiation so that L2 is received at each student's level

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​Proficiency Display

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Open Ended

How else can I make sure students are reading at their level?

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​The solution must reimagine class structure (physical and logistical) for reading​

​Design Principle #3

I created this flow chart of how I imagine the FVR process working.

​The solution must reimagine class structure (physical and logistical) for reading​

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​Reading Process

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Open Ended

Any changes or edits that you'd make to the process?

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We have 80 minute periods every 4 days. I'd like to use those extended classes to host book clubs. I made these cards with some ideas.

​The solution must reimagine class structure (physical and logistical) for reading​

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​Book Club

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Open Ended

Have your own prompt ideas? Any procedural thoughts?

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​The solution must utilize high engagement and instant feedback activities

​Design Principle #4

I made a goodreads group for students to mark what they are reading, leave reviews and maybe do discussion between classes.

​The solution must utilize high engagement and instant feedback activities

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​goodreads​

Open Ended

Thoughts for how I could best utilize the goodreads platform or any tips?

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Right now I'm generating near-daily vocabulary lists on the words they'll see that lesson. Obviously I can't do that when everyone is reading something different. One idea had was to make a collaborative Quizlet and they each add a word a day. Generate sets from there.

​The solution must utilize high engagement and instant feedback activities

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​Targeted Vocab

Poll

Which would work better?

• student generated class lists

• Dickinson core 1,000 words

• other

Open Ended

If you had another idea or a tweak, please let me know!

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There are so many blogs out there with good ideas for Latin teachers. Part of my struggle is going to be using some of them while all reading different books.​

​The solution must utilize high engagement and instant feedback activities

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​Class Reading Activities

Open Ended

Any idea for an activity (not a discussion or prompt) that could work when everyone is reading different books?

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​The solution must ween students off the need to translate each individual word

​Design Principle #5

I love the idea of building a word wall. I'd use whatever we do for games (student generated or Dickinson top 1000).​ I'm hopeful it could serve as a visual clue for common words.

​The solution must ween students off the need to translate each individual word

​Word Wall

Open Ended

If you have a word wall, add a picture along with how you built it or other tips.

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The thing that really drew me to particular novellas were the supports that were built in like glosses, pictures, clear cognates and sheltered vocabulary. I think this, especially when combined with reading on level, should aid reading over translating.

​The solution must ween students off the need to translate each individual word

​Novella Supports

Open Ended

Any other ideas for encouraging actual reading?

​The solution must present reading in a low-stress environment

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​Design Principle #6

Last year we were lucky to get money for new furniture, including soft seating, so I think the space is fairly pleasant and comfortable.​

​The solution must present reading in a low-stress environment

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​Physical Environment

Open Ended

I don't have enough soft seats for a full class, other ideas to make it comfortable for everyone? Or other physical elements?

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I'm generally a bit of a zealous grader. But I've been convinced to let go of this for FVR lest they grow to hate it.​ I'm thinking a goodreads review could replace having a test.

​The solution must present reading in a low-stress environment

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​No Assessments

Students are going to need to keep track of their page (especially if multiple classes are sharing). Both as a practicality and a way to make a connection, I've started making personalized bookmarks based on what they told me about themselves in September.

​The solution must present reading in a low-stress environment

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​Book Marks

Open Ended

I'm going to need a lot more quotes: animals, music, reading, sports, art, ocean...

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​The solution must include students as informed and autonomous learners

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​Design Principle #7

Terms like novice-mid mean nothing to most students so I made this poster to showcase the differences. Each level has proficiency color (also seen on book covers with stickers and bunting), some book covers at that level and a sentence. The last part was definitely the hardest. It's difficult to pick a short part that really shows the distinction.

​The solution must present reading in a low-stress environment

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​Showcasing of Levels

I read this during my very laborious (and often painful) academic research and it really stuck with me.

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"Many students felt this was the first time that their teacher regarded them as a grown up learner who deserved the right to know 'why we are doing this' And, after they knew some of the learning theories, language learning became a task that was more directional, interesting and strategic."​ -S. Lee

​The solution must include students as informed and autonomous learners

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​Informing Students

Open Ended

What would you give students to read or watch to explain why FVR on their level will help them learn Latin? BONUS ROUND: do you have experience teaching this way or as a writer? Would you be willing to talk to a class?

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​Design Principals - the solution must...

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allow for student choice in reading selection or topic

​

provide differentiation so that L2 is received at each student's level

​

​reimagine class structure (physical and logistical) for reading

​

​offer high engagement and instant feedback activities

​

​ween students off the need to translate each individual word

​

​present reading in a low-stress environment

​

​include students as informed and autonomous learners

​Final Product

Open Ended

Any and all thoughts, opinions or suggestions not yet given? If any design principles are weak, do you have recommendations?

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​ago gratias!

I really appreciate your time and input.