Using AI in your Lessons!

 

We watched a great video recently by Proliteracy about using Artificial Intelligence in tutoring and teaching. Some great resources and tips are available. We will be looking closer into this realm in the near future, but please feel free to watch this video which outlines four FREE resources to make learning English easier for volunteers AND learners!

 Quick Tips:

Check out Vocalini to upload a document for spelling and grammar corrections. or to create lessons based on a learner’s interests or background!

 Use Gemini to produce visuals or picture stories, writing prompts, or pictures to accompany reading passages.It can generate activities and tests, comprehensive questions, and fill-in-the-blanks, to test a learner’s knowledge.

Try ChapGPT to create lessons based on a learner’s interests or background!

Roshi is a site dedicated to teaching and can help with lesson plans, simplifying tests, and can act as a personal tutor!

 You can use these tools alongside each other as well! It’s important to recognize that the old adage “Garbage in – Garbage Out” applies to AI as well. If you want the product to give you a comprehensive response, remember to give it as much information as possible. It’s also important to understand that AI is not a perfected tool – check your work!

For example, you might tell it “Please create a lesson plan for an adult English language learner reading at the beginning level about celebrating the 4th of July in the United States. Include a video with fireworks playing the Star Spangled Banner and cookout ideas. Include vocabulary words to practice and a word search with those vocabulary words.

When I used the above prompt in Gemini, it gave me the following:

Lesson Plan: Celebrating the 4th of July in the USA!

Target Level: Beginner English Language Learners

Topic: American Holiday – Independence Day (4th of July)

Learning Objectives:

• Students will be able to identify vocabulary related to the 4th of July holiday.
• Students will be able to understand a simple text about celebrating the 4th of July.
• Students will be able to identify common cookout foods.

Materials:

• Whiteboard or projector
• Markers or pens
• Pictures of American flags, fireworks, cookout food (hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, etc.)
• Worksheet with a simple text about the 4th of July (see below)
• Worksheet with a word search (see below)
• Video of fireworks playing the Star-Spangled Banner (YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ) (Note: This video uses a silly song, you can search for “Fireworks with Star Spangled Banner” for a more traditional version)

Vocabulary Words:

• Fourth of July / Independence Day
• Celebrate
• Flag (red, white, and blue)
• Fireworks
• Picnic / Barbecue (BBQ)
• Hamburger
• Hot dog
• Potato salad

Lesson Procedure:

1. Warm-up (10 minutes):

• Show pictures of American flags and ask students what they know about them. Briefly explain that the flag is a symbol of the United States.
• Show pictures of fireworks and ask students if they have ever seen fireworks before. Briefly explain that fireworks are a popular way to celebrate holidays.

2. Introduction of New Vocabulary (10 minutes):

• Introduce the vocabulary words one at a time, using pictures and gestures for clarification.
• Repeat the words several times and have students repeat after you.
• Play a simple matching game. Write the vocabulary words on separate pieces of paper and show pictures that match the words. Students can come up and match the picture to the word.

3. Reading Comprehension (15 minutes):

• Distribute the worksheet with a simple text about celebrating the 4th of July. (See example below)
• Read the text aloud slowly, pointing to the words as you go.
• Have students repeat key phrases after you.
• Ask simple comprehension questions based on the text, such as: “What holiday do we celebrate on the 4th of July?” or “What do people eat at a barbecue?”

4. Video (5 minutes):

• Show the video of fireworks playing the Star-Spangled Banner.
• Briefly explain that fireworks are a big part of celebrating the 4th of July and that the Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem of the United States.

5. Cookout Food (10 minutes):

• Show pictures of cookout food (hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, etc.).
• Review the vocabulary words related to food.
• Ask students if they have ever had any of these foods before.
• You can discuss other foods that are popular for cookouts in their home countries.

6. Word Search (10 minutes):

• Distribute the worksheet with a word search containing the vocabulary words.
• Students can work individually or in pairs to find the words.

7. Wrap-up (5 minutes):

• Briefly review the vocabulary words and key points from the lesson.
• Ask students if they have any questions about the 4th of July celebration.

Sample Text for Reading Comprehension:

The Fourth of July

The Fourth of July is a holiday in the United States. It is also called Independence Day. We celebrate Independence Day on July 4th. On this day, people celebrate the freedom of the United States.

People celebrate in many ways. They put up flags (red, white, and blue) outside their homes. They have picnics or barbecues (BBQ) with family and friends. They eat hamburgers, hot dogs, and potato salad. In the evening, there are fireworks!

 

 Then I used CHATGPT 3.5 to create the word search: (You could add to it)

 

F O U R T H O F J U L Y C E L E B R A T E 

N H T A D O G U L Q P P Q F I R E W O R K S

D Y I N D E P E N D E N C E S A L A D D O H

E B B Q H A M B U R G E R R L C F L A G A 

P I C N I C S I R D T T P I C N I C C B B Q

O A C E L E B R A T E L O D S G R Q Q A I 

T E F I R E W O R K S I F L A G F I R E W O

D H A M B U R G E R I C B B Q L O P A Y D O

J U L Y I L Y R A T E L E C Y L C L E E R B

B L O A S A L A D D O T A T O S A L A D I Y