With a language lab class, it's always a good idea to have a theme. I chose to teach positive psychology as a theme for the first three weeks of school. Students would take a personal characteristics survey to determine their strengths. Then students would read and write about those strengths. As students were learning about their own strengths, they would also be practicing many of the writing and discussion skills that the language lab focuses on building.
http://www.ppc.sas.upenn.edu/teachinghighschool.htm
The survey students take is long so I differentiate student attention lengths and preferences by offering students a choice--either they can put on their headphones and work independently or they can follow along with me as I read the questions and evaluation statements. For slower readers and students who need supervision to focus, having me read the questions keeps the pace moving. For faster readers, they can work at their own pace and stay actively working. When they are done, they have an opportunity to read about their own strengths.
VIA Strength Inventory for Children
http://www.viacharacter.org/www/
When students finish their survey, they copy their top six strengths to their blogs. Students then read through detailed descriptions of those strengths to find their signature strengths, the ones they really own, that feel authentic and invigorate them.
Students are sent to the following site to read up on their signature strengths.
http://www.viacharacter.org/resources/ways-to-use-via-character-strengths/
Online surveys have many advantages over paper/pencil surveys. First, they can be longer--often translating into more accurate--because they do not use any paper or need to be hand scored. Immediate feedback for students enhances personal relevance and interest. Chinking long surveys on separate pages encourages students to stay focused and not be overwhelmed.
Surveys are a great way to get to know your students and for students to identify characteristics in themselves. Almost everyone enjoys surveys that help you know more about yourself.
Videos and resources about Positive Psychology
http://www.ppc.sas.upenn.edu/publications.htm
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