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Fw: etni Digest V1 #126
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Ask Etni
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Dec 08, 2003 23:45 PST
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Sent: Tuesday, December 09, 2003 9:07 AM
Subject: etni Digest V1 #126
etni Digest Mon, 08 Dec 2003 Volume: 01 Issue: 126
In This Issue:
[etni] Fw: writing book reports in class
[etni] Re: Fw: NBA changes
[etni] Fw: re: NBA changes
[etni] Fw: the fifth grade mitzav
[etni] Fw: Meitzav Tests
[etni] The new NBA instructions
[etni] Re: Fw: re: NBA changes
[etni] Reading for Punishment
[etni] Fw: re: Meitzav Tests
[etni] Fw: re: Meitzav Tests
[etni] Fw: re: the fifth grade mitzav
[etni] bringing projects to the oral exam
[etni] hannukah
[etni] Meitzav Tests
[etni] ynet article
[etni] Fw: article about dictionaries
[etni] Fw: A Font to Simulate the Dyslexic experience
[etni] meitsav 5th grade
[etni] Information Please On-Line Dictionary, Internet Encyc
[etni] ynet article
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From: "Ask Etni" <as-@etni.org>
Subject: [etni] Fw: writing book reports in class
Date: Mon, 8 Dec 2003 14:19:29 +0200
I teach in a large and well-established high school in the north, where
there are at least 3 five point classes each year. This year I got a 5
point class which had been taught by another teacher for two years before
coming to me. I discovered that I had much to do in getting them to read.
I have them do book reports in class on a special form which I give out when
they've completed the book and bring it with them. They can't do it at
home.
One particularly stressed out pupil with numerous emotional problems sat
doing the book report with a large, hard-covered book on her desk. I looked
at the book while she was filling out the form and noticed that one side was
Hebrew and consisted of about 80 pages of text, while the other side was in
a language I couldn't make out. It had Roman letters. At first I thought
it was Hungarian or Polish, but there were so many diacritical marks that I
had to give up and couldn't determine what it was. When I asked her about
the book she replied that she had read both the Hebrew and the English and
she was reporting now on the English part. I said, "Fine." and opened the
book at random and asked her to read me a sentence. I stopped at that point
because I didn't want to embarrass her in front of the class but will deal
with it tomorrow when I am in school again.
This incident is very sad and reflects a lot of problems inherent in our
system.
It's the last thing I want to happen in my English lessons.
I want to reiterate what others have been saying.
Reading is our aim. Book reports in themselves are not important.
Who reads a book for the purpose of reporting on it? Not in real life.
We need to make sure that our assessment of reading is of the process and
not of the product.
from a veteran English teacher
------------------------------
From: "Bari Nirenberg" <nire-@actcom.co.il>
Subject: [etni] Re: Fw: NBA changes
Date: Mon, 8 Dec 2003 14:22:15 +0200
I read this, but either my Hebrew isn't very good (could be!) or some things
are still unclear:
1) I thought that examinees were only going to be tested orally on one
project, so what's the change here?? Are they now only supposed to actually
DO one project, as well?
2) My students are doing their projects in groups. There will be one
written version of the project. Are the students in the group expected to
photocopy the project so that they can actually bring it with them to the
oral exam?
3) The letter says that the project will not be included in the school grade
for this year's 10th and 11th graders. Although I understand that this
means we won't be calculating it as 30% of one module, it is impossible for
it not to be included at all unless we don't give it a grade, as it IS going
to be part of the school work that the students do during the year. I'm not
sure I'm making sense here...
4) I don't really understand what this sentence means (I do understand what
it says, however):
הנחיית עבודת הפרוייקט תתבצע לפי שקול דעתו המקצועית של המורה.
5) Are the changes regarding the number of sources, the minimum amount of
lessons to be spent on the project, etc.?
6) What about the performance task? Is that still required?
I'm sure I'll think of more...
Bari
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From: "Ask Etni" <as-@etni.org>
Subject: [etni] Fw: re: NBA changes
Date: Mon, 8 Dec 2003 19:06:03 +0200
From: "Aviva Shelter" <aviva_s-@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: NBA Changes
Dear All,
Having read the letter about the projects I also have some questions.
1. If the students spend the time required to do a project how can I justify
that time if I don't include a grade for that in their yearly grade?
2. If a student did a project in 10th grade does that count as the one
project they need for their bagrut exam in 12th grade? If it does how do we
match that to NBA requirements stating that they have to do a project in the
year of their bagrut?
3. Initially when projects were mentioned for the Oral exam, objectivity was
kept by the fact that the students did not show their project and thereby
possibly influence the examiner by the visual aspects of their individual
projects. Where is that objectivity now?
I am also sure that I will have more questions but in the meantime would
really appreciate a response to these.
Aviva
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From: "Ask Etni" <as-@etni.org>
Subject: [etni] Fw: the fifth grade mitzav
Date: Mon, 8 Dec 2003 21:22:46 +0200
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jullanar Farraj" <far-@netvision.net.il>
Subject: the fifth grade mitzav
Hi colleagues,
I want to ask you about the mitzav test. your opinion as English teachers,
counselors and inspectors is very important to me. Does anyone of you think
or agree that the level of the test was higher than the fifth grade level
(especially for the first semester of the school year) and that it was too
long?!!
please try to reply to my message.
Jullanar
------------------------------
From: "Ask Etni" <as-@etni.org>
Subject: [etni] Fw: Meitzav Tests
Date: Mon, 8 Dec 2003 21:23:28 +0200
----- Original Message -----
From: <hopeb-@NewMail.Net>
Subject: Meitzav Tests
Hi Etniens
What do you say about the MEitzav tests today, both for the sixth and the
eighth grades?
I think it was unfair for the 5th grades because it's a very early stage of
the year to take such a test, when the 5th graders can hardly read.
Please comment
Hope
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Date: Mon, 08 Dec 2003 20:33:43 +0200
From: golomb <gol-@netvision.net.il>
Subject: [etni] The new NBA instructions
I think the changes in the NBA reflect the feelings of the majority of
English teachers in Israel. The changes give teachers the flexibility to
approach projects in the manner that is comfortable for them. NOTHING in
the new instructions stops teachers from including the project as a test,
quiz or however they want to. On the other hand, it allows teachers who are
skeptical about the validity of a group grade, the freedom to assess the
project in the manner which they deem fit.
I think that the inspectorate has shown great flexibility, which I truly
welcome.
Nina
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From: "Bari Nirenberg" <nire-@actcom.co.il>
Subject: [etni] Re: Fw: re: NBA changes
Date: Mon, 8 Dec 2003 20:34:00 +0200
| | 3. Initially when projects were mentioned for the Oral exam,
objectivity was
kept by the fact that the students did not show their project and thereby
possibly influence the examiner by the visual aspects of their individual
projects. Where is that objectivity now?
|
This is what I thought as well, but I didn't mention it in my post because I
thought maybe I'd remembered incorrectly. It does, however, kind of go
along with my question about the logistics of each student bringing his/her
project to the oral exam.
Bari
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Date: Mon, 08 Dec 2003 20:41:23 +0200
From: golomb <gol-@netvision.net.il>
Subject: [etni] Reading for Punishment
I would like to reiterate some of the comments made on this list.
The program started as "Reading for Enjoyment".
I, personally, dislike reading in Hebrew, although I read fairly well. I am
prepared to read long articles in the newspaper, but that's as far as it
goes.
When I studied Hebrew literature at the university, with the sole aim of
improving my Hebrew, I read "The Black Box" by Amos Oz in English.
Forced reading is not pleasurable. What has happened is that many students
have come up with very creative ways of cheating on book tasks and have
become masters in deception.
I sincerely believe in encouraging reading, but first the students must be
readers in their native tongue.
I have overcome some of the problems by letting my students choose any level
they feel comfortable with. I would rather they read honestly at a low
level than cheat at a high level.
Nina
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From: "Ask Etni" <as-@etni.org>
Subject: [etni] Fw: re: Meitzav Tests
Date: Mon, 8 Dec 2003 21:54:43 +0200
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jullanar Farraj" <far-@netvision.net.il>
Subject: Fw: Meitzav Tests
Thank you Hope for your comment I think the same the test was really unfair
and too long for this earlly stage.
Please comment because I think that not just Hope and I think this way. We
are waiting for your comments
Jullanar
Hope wrote:
| | What do you say about the MEitzav tests today, both for the sixth and the
eighth grades?
I think it was unfair for the 5th grades because it's a very early stage
|
of
| | the year to take such a test, when the 5th graders can hardly read.
|
------------------------------
From: "Ask Etni" <as-@etni.org>
Subject: [etni] Fw: re: Meitzav Tests
Date: Mon, 8 Dec 2003 21:56:10 +0200
----- Original Message -----
From: "Pamela Butter" <pama-@netvision.net.il>
Subject: RE: [etni] Fw: Meitzav Tests
The Meitzav tests made my fifth graders feel terrible about themselves, what
is the point?
Hope wrote:
| | What do you say about the MEitzav tests today, both for the sixth and
the eighth grades? I think it was unfair for the 5th grades because it's
a very early stage of the year to take such a test, when the 5th graders
can hardly read.
|
------------------------------
From: "Ask Etni" <as-@etni.org>
Subject: [etni] Fw: re: the fifth grade mitzav
Date: Mon, 8 Dec 2003 21:57:40 +0200
----- Original Message -----
From: "Evgeny Rymalis" <evge-@zahav.net.il>
Subject: Re: [etni] Fw: the fifth grade mitzav
I also think that the test was very hard especially for this time of the
year.
To my mind the listening instructions weren't clear, the task with the Zoo
was very hard.
Nellie Rymalis
------------------------------
From: "veronica foldes" <verd-@hotmail.com>
Subject: [etni] bringing projects to the oral exam
Date: Mon, 08 Dec 2003 21:43:41 +0200
I, for one, am very happy that the pupils have to bring their projects to
theoral exam. I trust the testers to be objective and not to be overwhelmed
with awe to the extent that their ability to give a fair mark is endangered.
On the other hand, I feel that in this way there will be less cutting of
corners. If a student has his project in hand and has to discuss it
intelligently, that is far more realistic than having him discuss some topic
off the top of his head...maybe about a project he did...or not. Veronica
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From: "Bev Stock" <be-@macam.ac.il>
Date: Mon, 8 Dec 2003 21:52:44 +0200
Subject: [etni] hannukah
Looking for Hannukah information, songs, word
activities, classroom activities. They are available at
http://web.macam.ac.il/~bev
Feedback appreciated. You can
contact me at be-@macam.ac.il
Happy Hannukah.
Bev
__________________________________
____________________________
Bev Stock
P.O.Box 10563,
Talpiot 91103
Jerusalem, ISRAEL
------------------------------
From: "Renee Binyamini" <r_biny-@hotmail.com>
Subject: [etni] Meitzav Tests
Date: Mon, 08 Dec 2003 22:10:35 +0200
I've been waiting patiently tonight for others' comments, to no avail, so I
will hopefully get the ball rolling. I teach grades 5 and 8 and have spent
the better part of today proctoring the Metzav tests.
Here are my comments:
Grade 8 - I think the test was fair. It covered the main "access" and
"presentation" benchmarks that should have been reached by the beginning of
grade 8.
Grade 5 - I think that many parts of the test (especially the accessing
information from written texts, otherwise known as reading comp) tried to
assess the benchmarks that should be reached by the END of the foundation
level e.g the end of grade 6. More specifically:
Listening 1 was fair; even easy.
Listening 2 was more difficult, but doable if the teacher was allowed to
stop the tape while the pupils marked each answer, in order to give the kids
time to think (and we DO want them to think, don't we?)
The Reading comprehension -the pupils were given a table of contents from a
kids' magazine. and were asked questions about the page. The questions were
written in English, way above the level of an average 5th grader. The task
was meant to assess if kids could access information from different text
types. They probably could have, but what was actually being assesed was if
the kids could decode and comprehend the questions. Why couldn't the
questions be given in Hebrew/Arabic? In the given format, the task did not,
in my opinion assess the benchmark!
The writing tasks in my opinion were also fair, for your average 5th grader
. What about those slower learners who need at least another 1/2 year to
"get there"?
Finally - in general, I think testing 5th graders at this early a stage in
their Englsih studies is not very effective. For many it is too early.
What's the point??
Renee Binyamini
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From: "Adele Raemer" <rae-@nirim.co.il>
Subject: [etni] ynet article
Date: Mon, 8 Dec 2003 22:08:00 +0200
Interesting article on Ynet - I don't agree with the way it's all laid on
us, the teachers, as if we've worked it out to make life easier, but there
are points brought up that bother me, as well. What do you think?
http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-2834218,00.html
Adele
------------------------------
From: "Ask Etni" <as-@etni.org>
Subject: [etni] Fw: article about dictionaries
Date: Mon, 8 Dec 2003 22:57:16 +0200
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gloria" <gsp-@netvision.net.il>
Subject: article about dictionaries
Here's an article about dictionaries from Slate magazine.
http://slate.msn.com/id/2091949/
Enjoy!
Gloria
------------------------------
From: "Ask Etni" <as-@etni.org>
Subject: [etni] Fw: A Font to Simulate the Dyslexic experience
Date: Tue, 9 Dec 2003 06:44:48 +0200
----- Original Message -----
From: Barry bari-@netvision.net.il
Subject: A Font to Simulate the Dyslexic experience
Dear Occupant,
You have probably seen articles or workshops on dyslexia where you get a
passage in mixed up writing.
Does anyone know how to get a font that produces writing like this?
Barry
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Dec 2003 07:32:12 +0200
From: "Rachel Arenstein" <rach-@mail.snunit.k12.il>
Subject: [etni] meitsav 5th grade
I think the test was quite difficult. As already said the tape needed
stopping to give kids time to think.
What bothered me was the writing task.
The letter they were asked to write was based on a letter that was in the
test. However, due to a printing error were told to ignore that task so
they never read that letter. I think the task was quite difficult for the
beginning of fifth grade.
The magazine task was also difficult.
At this stage of the year many fifth graders are just not ready for a text
of this complexity. If tests are going to be continued to be given at this
time of the year the certain issues need to be addressed.
Should the test be made easier to accommodate the pupils?
Are we going to be expected to start teaching reading a year earlier i.e. in
third grade in order for kids to be able to pass a test of this standard?
For many kids English is the third language. Are we being fair to them?
I think that the Ministry should consider moving the test back to May.
Rachel
<><><><><><>><<><><>
Rachel Arenstein
rach-@mail.snunit.k12.il
Home phone:04 9975303
Cellular: 051 819920
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 09 Dec 2003 08:48:45 +0200
From: Yisrael and Batya Medad <ybme-@netvision.net.il>
Subject: [etni] Information Please On-Line Dictionary, Internet
Encyclopedia,
Content-type: text/plain; x-avg-checked=avg-ok-3138497B; charset=us-ascii;
format=flowed
Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT
http://www.infoplease.com/
Good for research.
Batya
------------------------------
From: "veronica foldes" <verd-@hotmail.com>
Subject: [etni] ynet article
Date: Tue, 09 Dec 2003 08:51:29 +0200
Unfortunately, there is a lot to be said for the claims made in the article.
However, I think each school is different. In both my schools, the 12th
graders have ימי עיון in English right up to the week of the bagrut exam.
Although they are not on a regular schedule, the pupils do get between 3-4
hours a week in English, minimum.
In addition, the 12th grade teachers are in school and fill in for other
teachers, or give help to weaker pupils in other grades, or mark all the
extra work the 12th graders do in the concentrated lessons they have. I do
indeed believe that the 12th grade teachers have to be in school and use the
hours they are not teaching 12th grade in a way that best help their
students- in 12th or any other grade. I do not think teachers should be free
from April. We are getting paid for work...and there is always enough out
there waiting for usVeronica
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End of etni Digest V1 #126
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