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Whisper Challenge: ELPAC Edition

michael.johnson

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Whisper Challenge: ELPAC Edition

Students will actively listen, orally repeat information accurately, and write down messages to practice listening, speaking, and writing skills essential for the ELPAC test, improving their comprehension and expression.

This lesson is crucial for Long-Term English Learners to develop the specific listening, speaking, and writing competencies assessed by the ELPAC. Practicing these skills in a fun, low-stakes game environment helps build confidence and reduces test anxiety, making learning effective and enjoyable.

Audience

Long-Term English Learners (ELPAC Levels 3-4)

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive game-based learning.

Materials

  • Whisper Challenge Slide Deck, - Whisper Challenge Game Instructions, and - Whisper Challenge Scoring Rubric

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

  • Review the Whisper Challenge Slide Deck and familiarize yourself with the game rules outlined in the Whisper Challenge Game Instructions.
  • Print copies of the Whisper Challenge Scoring Rubric for each group (or prepare a digital version for quick reference).
  • Arrange the classroom so students can easily form small groups or a line for the 'whisper' relay.
  • Prepare a list of 5-7 short, clear sentences or phrases appropriate for the students' ELPAC level. These will be the initial messages for the game.

Step 1

Introduction (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Begin by displaying the title slide from the Whisper Challenge Slide Deck.
  • Explain that today's lesson is a fun game to help them practice important skills for the ELPAC: listening, speaking, and writing.
  • Briefly introduce the 'Whisper Challenge' concept: passing a message quietly down a line and writing the final message.
  • Highlight the importance of clear speaking and careful listening.

Step 2

Game Rules & Modeling (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Go through the rules using the Whisper Challenge Slide Deck and the Whisper Challenge Game Instructions.
  • Model one round with a few volunteers to demonstrate the process: teacher whispers to student 1, student 1 whispers to student 2, and so on. The last student writes it down.
  • Emphasize quiet whispering, clear speaking, and attentive listening. Show the Whisper Challenge Scoring Rubric and explain how it will be used.

Step 3

Whisper Challenge Rounds (15 minutes)

15 minutes

  • Divide students into small groups (5-7 students per group) or have them line up.
  • Provide each group with a starting sentence/phrase. For the first student in each group, whisper the message.
  • Circulate around the room, observing and gently guiding students. Encourage quietness and focus.
  • After each round, have the last student in the line write down the message they heard. Compare it to the original message.
  • Use the Whisper Challenge Scoring Rubric to provide brief feedback on listening accuracy, speaking clarity, and writing precision for each group. Play 3-4 rounds, using different sentences each time.

Step 4

Wrap-up and Reflection (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Bring the class back together.
  • Discuss the challenges and successes of the game. Ask: 'What made it hard to hear sometimes?' 'What helped you speak clearly?' 'Why is it important to listen carefully and speak clearly for tests like the ELPAC?'
  • Reiterate how practicing these skills helps them with the ELPAC test.
  • End with a positive message about their efforts and improvement.
lenny

Slide Deck

Whisper Challenge: ELPAC Edition!

Get Ready to Listen, Speak, and Write!

Welcome students and introduce the game. Emphasize it's a fun way to practice ELPAC skills.

Why Are We Playing This Game?

ELPAC Skills Practice

  • Listening: Understanding spoken English
  • Speaking: Clearly expressing your thoughts
  • Writing: Putting your ideas on paper correctly

This game helps you practice all three!

Explain why these skills are important for the ELPAC test. Connect the game directly to the test's requirements.

How to Play: The Whisper Challenge!

  1. Form Teams: Get into small groups or lines.
  2. Secret Message: The teacher will whisper a secret sentence to the first person in line.
  3. Pass it On: Whisper the message exactly as you heard it to the next person.
  4. Listen Carefully! Pay close attention to every word.
  5. Speak Clearly! Make sure your voice is quiet but understandable.
  6. Write it Down: The last person writes the message they heard on their paper.
  7. Compare! We'll check it against the original message.

Go over the rules clearly. Use gestures and simple language. Encourage questions.

Key to Success!

Listen Carefully

  • Don't miss any words!
  • Try to understand the whole meaning.

Speak Clearly (Quietly!)

  • Use clear pronunciation.
  • Don't mumble!

Write Accurately

  • Write exactly what you heard.
  • Check your spelling and grammar.

Reinforce the importance of accuracy in each step. Mention the rubric for scoring.

Time to Reflect!

What did you learn today?

  • Was it hard to listen sometimes? Why?
  • What helped you speak clearly?
  • How does practicing this help you with the ELPAC?

Lead a brief discussion. Ask students what they learned or found challenging.

You Did Great!

Keep practicing your listening, speaking, and writing skills!

Every practice helps you get better for the ELPAC and beyond!

End on a positive and encouraging note.

lenny

Activity

Whisper Challenge: ELPAC Edition - Game Instructions

Goal

To practice active listening, clear speaking, and accurate writing skills, just like you do on the ELPAC test!

Materials

  • A list of secret sentences (provided by your teacher)
  • Paper and pencil for the last person in each group

How to Play

  1. Form Your Teams: Your teacher will divide you into small groups or lines. Each group will be a team.

  2. The Secret Message: The teacher will whisper a secret sentence to the first person in each team. Listen VERY carefully!

  3. Pass It On: The first person will then whisper the message exactly as they heard it to the person next to them. This continues down the line until it reaches the last person.

    • Important Rules for Passing the Message:
      • Whisper ONLY: Speak very quietly, but clearly enough for the next person to hear.
      • No Repeating: You can only say the message once.
      • No Helping: Only the person speaking and the person listening should be involved. No one else can help or listen in!

  4. The Final Write-Down: The last person in the team will write down the message they heard on their paper.

  5. Reveal and Compare: Once everyone has written their message, your team will compare the written message to the original secret sentence.

Scoring (Your teacher will use a rubric like this!)

Your team will get points for:

  • Accuracy: How close is your written message to the original secret sentence?
  • Clarity: Did everyone try their best to speak clearly?
  • Listening: Did everyone try their best to listen carefully?

Let's have fun and improve our ELPAC skills!

lenny
lenny

Rubric

Whisper Challenge: ELPAC Edition - Scoring Rubric

This rubric will help assess student performance in listening, speaking, and writing during the Whisper Challenge game, reflecting skills important for the ELPAC.

Scoring Criteria

Criteria3 - Excellent2 - Good1 - Needs Improvement
Listening AccuracyStudent clearly heard and understood the whispered message.Student heard most of the message but missed a few words or phrases.Student struggled to hear or understand the majority of the message.
Speaking ClarityStudent whispered the message clearly and distinctly to the next person.Student whispered the message, but some words were unclear or mumbled.Student whispered too softly, mumbled, or was difficult to understand.
Writing PrecisionThe final written message is nearly identical to the original secret sentence (minor spelling/grammar errors may be overlooked if meaning is clear).The final written message captures the main idea but has several inaccuracies in words or order.The final written message is significantly different from the original, altering the meaning.
ParticipationActively participated, focused, and followed all game rules.Participated, but occasionally lost focus or needed reminders of rules.Had difficulty staying focused or following game rules.

Total Score per Round (Max 12 points per student/group for 4 criteria)

Feedback Notes:










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