The Teacher's Bag of Tricks by Kevin Belcher https://padlet.com/KevinBelcher/BagOfTricks Compiled with Inspiration by Corona-Norco Adult School en-us 2019-10-11 00:13:44 UTC 2025-11-02 04:03:48 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f4a1.png Quizlet KevinBelcher https://padlet.com/KevinBelcher/BagOfTricks/wish/396471238 This is a great resource for just about any class. Students can make vocabulary card sets to study, practice and review while teachers can make sets to share with their students via Remind. Although any type of set can be made, I am including a link to my set which focuses on common roots in English (a good start to rigorous Academic Vocabulary)
#DerivingItHome]]> 2019-10-11 00:21:15 UTC https://padlet.com/KevinBelcher/BagOfTricks/wish/396471238 Quizlet Live KevinBelcher https://padlet.com/KevinBelcher/BagOfTricks/wish/396472328 Ok, so it's very close to Quizlet, but this is to be used for collaborative learning inside the class at any level. After finishing a unit, use any made Quizlet vocabulary set to set students in groups, and using their smartphones, they face off against other teams to answer 10 questions in a row about their vocabulary set.
#AndTheyreOff ]]> 2019-10-11 00:25:37 UTC https://padlet.com/KevinBelcher/BagOfTricks/wish/396472328 Writer, Runner, & Editor (New-School) KevinBelcher https://padlet.com/KevinBelcher/BagOfTricks/wish/396473461 A great new-school dictation activity for promoting collaboration and tech use in any ESL class. Groups consist of one writer, one editor, & one runner. Google Docs is opened on one device and shared to a partner's email to be opened on a second device. Write a short story or a few sentences on a paper and tape it outside the classroom. Runners bolt outside and memorize parts to dictate to the writer. The Editor works with the writer to apply corrections. The first three correctly written and shown to the teacher are the victors. #NewSchoolWR&E]]> 2019-10-11 00:30:41 UTC https://padlet.com/KevinBelcher/BagOfTricks/wish/396473461 Writer & Runner (Old-School) KevinBelcher https://padlet.com/KevinBelcher/BagOfTricks/wish/396474450 A great old-school dictation activity for lower level ESL classes! Groups of two consist of one Writer and one Runner. Write a short story or a few sentences on a paper and tape it outside the classroom. Runners bolt outside and memorize parts to dictate to the writer. The first three correctly written and shown to the teacher win!
#OldSchoolW&R]]> 2019-10-11 00:35:04 UTC https://padlet.com/KevinBelcher/BagOfTricks/wish/396474450 The In-Class Triad: A Paraphrasing Activity KevinBelcher https://padlet.com/KevinBelcher/BagOfTricks/wish/396531829 This fabulous speaking activity is coming from Professor Patricia Harris-Jenkinson at Sacramento City College (link below). It challenges students to summarize a partner's opinion, clarify their ideas, and give feedback as to their strengths. This would be best used in higher level ESL, ABE, and CTE classes. There is a lot to be gleaned by this style of activity! #LevelUpDiscussion http://scc.losrios.edu/~harrispa/assignments/interpersonal/exercises/paraphrasing.doc]]> 2019-10-11 05:52:09 UTC https://padlet.com/KevinBelcher/BagOfTricks/wish/396531829 The Writing Workshop KevinBelcher https://padlet.com/KevinBelcher/BagOfTricks/wish/396533101 Best used in higher level ESL and ABE classes, this method of teaching writing pioneered by Gary Robert Muschla teaches and demystifies the process of writing by challenging them to create original authentic works Students learn to prewrite, draft, revise, edit, & publish. Here's how it works:
  • Students use the process to write any type of writing they see fit (review, essay, narrative, how to, explanation, letter, etc.)
  • In class, students write 30 min. per day
  • Progress through each step is tracked 
  • After 2-3 weeks, students share finished work in the form of a presentation where their document is projected and their strengths are highlighted and discussed.
I've included Muschla's book below for clarification.
#LetsGetRigorous
]]> 2019-10-11 06:02:44 UTC https://padlet.com/KevinBelcher/BagOfTricks/wish/396533101 ISLCollective Video Lessons KevinBelcher https://padlet.com/KevinBelcher/BagOfTricks/wish/396535816 Although this website is a gem for all things ESL, from documents to powerpoints, the ability to quickly show or create video lessons with integrated questions is a powerful start to any lesson! Below is an example of a short video from my Beginning Literacy ESL class. #EngagedMinuteOne]]> 2019-10-11 06:21:55 UTC https://padlet.com/KevinBelcher/BagOfTricks/wish/396535816 Newsela Reading - One Article, Many Levels KevinBelcher https://padlet.com/KevinBelcher/BagOfTricks/wish/396538118 Do you teach a multilevel ESL class? This is a great place to start each class. Newsela scaffolds articles into 5 levels, allowing for engagement at all steps. And for a standard teacher account, it's free!
#ILoveScaffolding]]> 2019-10-11 06:32:00 UTC https://padlet.com/KevinBelcher/BagOfTricks/wish/396538118 Padlet, Of Course KevinBelcher https://padlet.com/KevinBelcher/BagOfTricks/wish/396542400 This very website can be an excellent organization tool for lesson plans and materials for all classes. However, for Multilevel ESL classes, the shelf format is particularly powerful, allowing students to follow individualized instructions for their level.
#ArrangersRejoice!]]> 2019-10-11 06:51:55 UTC https://padlet.com/KevinBelcher/BagOfTricks/wish/396542400 Remind KevinBelcher https://padlet.com/KevinBelcher/BagOfTricks/wish/396543395 For any teacher Remind is a must. It is a free communication app/texting service that connects teachers and students with the easiest forms of communication. This app has saved me more times than I could count! #SavedAfterTheBell]]> 2019-10-11 06:55:15 UTC https://padlet.com/KevinBelcher/BagOfTricks/wish/396543395 Kahoot! KevinBelcher https://padlet.com/KevinBelcher/BagOfTricks/wish/396544585 This is a great way to test students understanding or to review key ideas. Great for all levels! #CompetitionCompletion]]> 2019-10-11 06:59:40 UTC https://padlet.com/KevinBelcher/BagOfTricks/wish/396544585 Google Lens KevinBelcher https://padlet.com/KevinBelcher/BagOfTricks/wish/396544857 Although Google Lens is a great tool for identifying the English words for nearby objects, this app allows students to translate written documents immediately. #BetterFocus]]> 2019-10-11 07:00:44 UTC https://padlet.com/KevinBelcher/BagOfTricks/wish/396544857 Quick Guide to Decoding Adult Ed's Alphabet Soup KevinBelcher https://padlet.com/KevinBelcher/BagOfTricks/wish/396545882 We have all felt humbled by the extensive acronyms of adult ed. This is a quick resource for many of the terms we use. In addition, here are some vitals left out:
CASAS = Main test used to determine level completion for data reporting
ESL = English Second Language
ABE = Adult Basic English
ASE = Adult Secondary Education
IELCE =Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education
#IDKMyBFFJill]]> 2019-10-11 07:04:48 UTC https://padlet.com/KevinBelcher/BagOfTricks/wish/396545882 Minnesota Literacy Council KevinBelcher https://padlet.com/KevinBelcher/BagOfTricks/wish/396557310 Want complete EL Civics lesson plans? How about GED preparation for ESL students? This is the stop for you! 
#MakingGains]]> 2019-10-11 07:44:42 UTC https://padlet.com/KevinBelcher/BagOfTricks/wish/396557310