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TOP NOTCH Teaching Tips

Issue 1

Great Ideas
How to use the ActiveTeach Digital Students Book
Joan Saslow and Allen Ascher

What is the ActiveTeach Digital Students Book?


The ActiveTeach Digital Students Book is an interactive digital replica of the Top Notch Students Book pages that is designed to supplement the paper Students Book. This exciting digital software transforms each of the Top Notch Students Books into a dynamic, multimedia teaching tool. The software can be used two ways in the classroom: 1 run the disc on a computer or laptop, using an LCD projector to project it on a conventional whiteboard, screen, or wall. The built-in interactive whiteboard (IWB) software tools allow you to use your mouse to zoom, write, highlight, erase, save, and more, OR

2 run the disc on any brand of interactive whiteboard, with the benefit of being able to
use all the additional software tools that come with it. The ActiveTeach Digital Students Book is carefully designed to be simple and flexible, requiring no special training to use.

Why might I use ActiveTeach?


The ActiveTeach Digital Students Book is a teaching tool and it is completely optional. It is not designed to replace the teacher or the paper Students Book. It is designed to help make teaching easier and more enjoyableto allow you to customize your lessons so
Great Ideas: How to Use the Top Notch ActiveTeach Digital Students Book Top Notch Professional Development Series Issue 1 2011 Joan Saslow and Allen Ascher

they meet the needs of your class and enhance your personal teaching styleand to offer more alternatives for how to present or practice new language. Some teachers may choose to keep the Digital Students Book turned on and available throughout their lessons in order to have quick access to it when it is needed. Others may choose only to use it occasionallyduring those lessons when they think it will be most beneficial.

What are some of the benefits of using ActiveTeach?

To save time with instant access

To the lessons ActiveTeach presents the complete Students Book in clear, full-color, digital form. Navigation through the Students Book pages is easy using the CONTENTS tab, which allows you to choose and display any two-page lesson. You can also access the Learning Objectives charts at the beginning of the book and all the Reference sections at the back, including the: Grammar Booster (available in all levels) Vocabulary Booster (available in Top Notch Fundamentals) Writing Booster (available in Top Notch 1, 2, and 3) Top Notch Pop song lyrics (available in all levels)

Alternatively, you can navigate from page to page at the bottom of the screen by choosing the forward or back arrows. Or you can click your mouse on the page number box between the arrows, type in a page number on your keyboard, and instantly jump to that page. If you want to jump to the optional Grammar Booster, Writing Booster, or Vocabulary Booster during a lesson, you can get there instantly by clicking on the booster icon on the page. And when youre finished, a simple click brings you back to the lesson you were teaching. To the audio When you want to play the audio, clear on-screen audio icons give you instant access to each track. Youll never have to search for CDs or audio tracks again. And you can use the pop-up on-screen audio player to pause, skip, or replay any part. To the video Click on the VIDEO tab and the drop-down menu instantly connects you to any segment of the Top Notch TV video program. The easy-to-use video player permits you to display closed captions, skip or replay any portion, or pause for discussion. To the songs In ActiveTeach, both the audio and video versions of Top Notch Pop are instantly accessible. In the Review lesson at the end of each unit, there are two onscreen audio iconsone for the original song and the other for the instrumental-only karaoke version. You can also choose to play either version of the audio while viewing the Top Notch Pop song lyrics page. Alternatively, you can use the VIDEO tab to play either of the two versions on Top Notch TV. To the Internet If you have Internet access in the classroom, you can visit the Top Notch teacher website at www.pearsonlongman.com/topnotch. Choose Web Resources
Great Ideas: How to Use the Top Notch ActiveTeach Digital Students Book Top Notch Professional Development Series Issue 1 2011 Joan Saslow and Allen Ascher

and the unit you are teaching, and you will have access to a full array of authentic documents and content related to that unit. To give your lesson extra impact, you can browse the Internet for authentic text, photos, or audio files from ANY website of your own choosing.

To focus students attention

Instead of holding up pictures that students can hardly see or trying verbally to direct students where to look in their books, ActiveTeach provides easy-to-use zoom-in tools that allow you to enlarge any section of the page for a more effective lesson. Charts, illustrations, or exercises can be displayedup closefor a more dynamic presentation, clearer modeling, or whole-class practice. The built-in ActiveTeach Interactive Whiteboard (IWB) software allows you to save time and avoid confusion by giving clearer instructions. Instead of having a class of students with their heads buried in their books, you can focus students attention to the front of the class as youor your studentsdemonstrate and model how to do any activity in the book. Using the IWB software tools, you can underline, circle, highlight, or hide any language you want to emphasize or practice to make your lesson more successful. You can draw arrows, stick figures, speech balloons, and other symbols anywhere on the Digital Students Book pages. You can even draw directly on images of the Top Notch TV video or web pages from the Internet to make your lessons come alive.

To increase class interaction

The IWB software allows you to use the ActiveTeach Digital Students Book as a basis for creating interactive activities that you might never have thought of trying with the book alone. ActiveTeach comes with these exciting tools:

a writing tool with which you can choose to vary color and line thickness

a highlighting tool with which you can choose to vary color, line thickness, and opacity Some basic shape toolsincluding square, rectangle, and circlewhich can be dragged where you want them, then stretched and adjusted to hide text or art or to provide a blank space for writing with the pen tool

an erase tool that allows you to easily remove anything you have previously written or highlighted
a notepad tool that allows you to create and save notes that refer to specific activities in any lesson

a save tool that allows you to saveand later opena page you have already altered with the IWB tools
Great Ideas: How to Use the Top Notch ActiveTeach Digital Students Book Top Notch Professional Development Series Issue 1 2011 Joan Saslow and Allen Ascher

If your classroom is already equipped with an interactive whiteboard, you will be able to use all the additional IWB software tools that come with itthe possibilities are limitless. Your brand of software may also include some or all of the following tools:

a choice of line styles such as dots, dashes, fun shapes, etc.

a window screen that can be pulled into position to hide sections of the page, from top to bottom, bottom to top, or from either side

an image library with shapes, clip art, audio files, etc. that can be dragged onto the page, resized, and more an on-screen keyboard that allows you to type text on the page, using your choice of font and font size

a camera tool that allows you to capture and save any section or image on a page. These images can then be used to create new activities such as matching, unscrambling, multiple choice, etc.
Note: You may also find ActiveTeach a useful tool for planning lessons. Simply insert it in your computers DVD drive and you can use the notepad tool to create your own teaching notes, use the writing or highlighting tool for visual reminders, and instantly preview the audio and video.

How can the Great Idea Guide help me?


It is the purpose of this guide to generate practical ideas for using the ActiveTeach Digital Students Book. Everyone has great ideas. We hope the ideas you read here will inspire you to play and experiment with the software and create your own great ideas. Following are some ideas you might want to try.

1 Communication goals
You may choose to point out the communication goals at the beginning of each unit and at the beginning of each lesson. The emphasis on achievement of goals is highly motivating to students learning a new language. GREAT IDEA 1: When you begin a unit, zoom in on the unit GOALS box at the top of the page to show students what they will learn in the unit. GREAT IDEA 2: At the beginning of every two-page lesson, highlight the lesson goal at the top of the left-hand page. Remind students that it is one of the goals from the unit
Great Ideas: How to Use the Top Notch ActiveTeach Digital Students Book Top Notch Professional Development Series Issue 1 2011 Joan Saslow and Allen Ascher

GOALS box. At the end of the lesson, zoom in on the NOW YOU CAN activity, call attention to the goal in the NOW YOU CAN bar, and remind students of the goal for the speaking activity. GREAT IDEA 3: When you have completed a unit, zoom in on the NOW I CAN box at the bottom of the Oral Review page at the end of the unit. Ask students to assess their own achievement by checking the boxes in their books. Alternatively, you might want to consider asking theminstead of using a checkmarkto rate themselves on each goal from 1 to 3 (1 being not satisfied, 2 being satisfied, and 3 being very satisfied). MY OWN GREAT IDEA: ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

2 Preview Lesson: first page (Top Notch 1, 2, and 3)


The Preview page that begins each unit includes web pages, advertisements, menus, surveys, charts, etc. which are followed by one or more activities. These can be used to teach vocabulary or to generate discussion.

GREAT IDEA 1: The Preview page often has multiple photos or pieces of art. Zoom in on one photo or piece of art, or zoom in on one section of a larger piece, to focus discussion. GREAT IDEA 2: After you have presented the Preview page, use your IWB software tools such as the shape tool or the writing tool (set as thick in a dark color) to block out key vocabulary. Invite students to use the writing tool (set as thin in a light color) to write the vocabulary. GREAT IDEA 3: After you have presented a Preview page that contains vocabulary art or photos, zoom in on specific items and ask students to classify each by groupfor example, parts of a menu (appetizer, entree, dessert, etc.) or types of clothing (outerwear, underwear, sleepwear, etc.). GREAT IDEA 4: If the Preview page has a survey or questionnaire, zoom in on it and do it as a class survey or questionnaire. Invite a student to lead the discussion and write the number of responses on the screen. Follow-up with a discussion about class trends, preferences, differences of opinion, etc. GREAT IDEA 5: In the activities at the bottom of the Preview page, invite students to explain their answers by circling the information in the illustration or text above the activity that supports their ideas.

Great Ideas: How to Use the Top Notch ActiveTeach Digital Students Book Top Notch Professional Development Series Issue 1 2011 Joan Saslow and Allen Ascher

MY OWN GREAT IDEA: ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

3 Preview Lesson: Photo Story (Top Notch 1, 2, and 3)


The Photo Story introduces and promotes comprehension of authentic language.

GREAT IDEA 1: To focus more on listening, use the shape tools to cover the text so only the photos show. Then ask the questions suggested in the Teachers Edition and Lesson Planner, or ask general comprehension questions such as Who are the people?, What are they doing?, Where are they? etc. GREAT IDEA 2: After you have taught a grammar point in a later lesson, return to the Photo Story and zoom in on the text. Invite students to use the highlighting tool to indicate any examples of the grammar in the Photo Story conversation. GREAT IDEA 3: After you have presented the Photo Story and the activities that follow it, zoom in on the Photo Story text. Use the writing tool (set as thick in a dark color) to hide key vocabulary or expressions in the text. Then invite students to the board to complete the conversation, using the writing tool (set as thin in a light color). GREAT IDEA 4: When a follow-up activity focuses on idiomatic expressions in the Photo Story, zoom in on the Photo Story text and invite students to underline, circle, or highlight the expressions in the text. MY OWN GREAT IDEA: ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

4 Preview Lesson: final communication activity (Top Notch 1, 2, and 3) Each Preview Lesson ends with a speaking activity that allows students to personalize an aspect of the Preview topic.

GREAT IDEA 1: Zoom in on the chart, survey, notepad, or other visual feature of the activity. Invite a student to lead the discussion and to summarize his or her classmates responses on the board.
Great Ideas: How to Use the Top Notch ActiveTeach Digital Students Book Top Notch Professional Development Series Issue 1 2011 Joan Saslow and Allen Ascher

GREAT IDEA 2: Use the shape tool (choose a dark color). Enlarge the shape to cover the entire page above the activity. Use the shape as a surface for writing sentences, summaries, lists, etc. with the writing tool (set as thin in a light color). Students can brainstorm lists, write sentences, summarize ideas, etc. MY OWN GREAT IDEA: ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

5 Conversation Models These models teach new social language and present grammar and vocabulary in context. Focus students attention on the language.

GREAT IDEA 1: To practice listening comprehension, click on the audio icon to play the Conversation Model audio and immediately zoom in on the photo that comes with it (so that students cannot see the text). Students can use the photo for context to aid understanding. Use the comprehension questions provided in the Teachers Edition and Lesson Planner, or ask general comprehension questions such as What is the topic of the conversation?, Who are the people?, Whats happening? (or What happened?), What does he or she want? etc. GREAT IDEA 2: After you have taught the lessons grammar, zoom in on the Conversation Model. Invite a student to the board to use the highlighting tool to find an example of the grammar in the model conversation. GREAT IDEA 3: If a Conversation Model contains examples of grammar that have been taught in a previous lesson, or in a previous unit, zoom in on the Conversation Model text and invite a student to the board to highlight those examples. GREAT IDEA 4: Use the writing tool (set as thick in a dark color) to create a fill-in activity by blocking out text in the Conversation Model. Invite students to the board to complete the conversation, using the writing tool (set as thin in a light color). MY OWN GREAT IDEA: ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

Great Ideas: How to Use the Top Notch ActiveTeach Digital Students Book Top Notch Professional Development Series Issue 1 2011 Joan Saslow and Allen Ascher

6 NOW YOU CAN This final activity in Lessons 1, 2, 3, and 4 is an opportunity for students to achieve the lessons communication goal. Encourage students to recycle previously learned language and say as much as they can.

GREAT IDEA 1: If the lesson includes a Conversation Model, zoom in on the Pair Work activity, which is always in the form of a conversation guidethe original Conversation Model, but with blank spaces for students to fill in. To provide an example of what to do and to prepare them for speaking, invite students to the board to write their own words in the blanks in the guide, using the grammar and vocabulary they learned in the lesson. Do this numerous times with different students. Ask other students to assess whether or not language has been used appropriately and accurately. If it hasnt, invite other students to the board to make corrections. GREAT IDEA 2: If the Pair Work activity includes a Dont Stop! box, a Be sure to recycle this language box, an idea or word box, etc., zoom in on it. To model what to do, and to prepare students for speaking, ask students to change or extend the model in the ways suggested in the box. GREAT IDEA 3: If the Pair Work includes a Dont Stop! box, ask students to brainstorm more ways they can extend the conversation. For example, have them think of more questions to ask, more comments to make, more ways to extend the content, etc. Zoom in on the activity and write their ideas in the blank spaces on the page around the Dont Stop! box or use the shape tool so you or your students can write ideas on it. Then ask students to use those ideas to extend the conversation. GREAT IDEA 4: To ensure that students are aware of the inclusion of target social language, grammar, and vocabulary within the guide in the Pair Work activity, zoom in on the guide and use the highlighting tool to indicate the specific blanks that require students to use this lessons target language. Ask students to recognize and confirm that they need to use the lessons grammar, vocabulary, social language, or pronunciation by asking them to indicate which grammar point, vocabulary words, or pronunciation points are needed for each word in the guide. GREAT IDEA 5: If there is a notepadding activity, zoom in on it. Invite one or more students to complete the notepad in front of the class. The rest of the class can give suggestions, compare answers, or share comments. GREAT IDEA 6: If there is a survey, a short text, or something visual to consider, zoom in on it. Invite a student to lead the class in filling out the survey or responding to the reading or visual piece. You can make note of the number of students who respond in the same way and then have the class summarize the results. GREAT IDEA 7: If there is a survey or questionnaire, use the shape tool to cover it so you can reveal it part by part. This way, students focus their attention for a more successful discussion. GREAT IDEA 8: If there is a BE SURE TO RECYCLE THIS LANGUAGE box, zoom in on it. Ask students to actively use that language during the activity. After the students
Great Ideas: How to Use the Top Notch ActiveTeach Digital Students Book Top Notch Professional Development Series Issue 1 2011 Joan Saslow and Allen Ascher

conclude their Pair Work, invite pairs to come to the board to check off all the recycled language from the box they used in their Pair Work. Alternatively, ask students to present the conversations they created in front of the class, while other students come to the board and check off all the language that was used. MY OWN GREAT IDEA: ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

7 Vocabulary presentations All presentations of vocabulary include defining art, photos, definitions, or example
sentences. Use the art, definitions, or sentences for class practice.

GREAT IDEA 1: Zoom in on a vocabulary presentation. Using the shape tool or the writing tool (set as thick in a dark color), cover the vocabulary words or expressions so students can only see the pictures, definitions, or example sentences. Say a word or expression and invite a student to point at the picture, definition, or sentence. Alternatively, invite a student to say a word or expression and ask the others to point. GREAT IDEA 2: Zoom in on a vocabulary presentation. Using the shape tool or the writing tool (set as thick in a dark color), cover the vocabulary words or expressions so students can only see the pictures, definitions, or example sentences. Say a word or expression and point at a picture, definition, or example sentence. Ask students to decide whether you have pointed at the correct picture, definition, or example sentence. GREAT IDEA 3: Zoom in on one picture and caption and use it as a discussion stimulus. Ask questions about whats happening in the picture. Or ask students to describe whats happening, to express opinions or preferences, or to share experiences similar to what they see in the picture. GREAT IDEA 4: Zoom in on a vocabulary presentation. Ask students to identify items that belong together in a group by checking, circling, or writing labels. For example, they could classify by count and non-count nouns, negative and positive meanings, plurals and singulars, things they own and dont own, etc. Alternatively, use the shape tool to create one or more places for writing. Write a heading at the top of each shape and then have students classify the vocabulary items by writing them in the correct boxes. GREAT IDEA 5: Use the shape tool to create a space for writing and invite students to write their own example sentences using the vocabulary. GREAT IDEA 6: If the vocabulary contains adjectives or categories, invite students to write real world examples in the spaces next to the words, or they can use the shape tool for a writing space. For example, if a presentation describes foods (It smells terrible./
Great Ideas: How to Use the Top Notch ActiveTeach Digital Students Book Top Notch Professional Development Series Issue 1 2011 Joan Saslow and Allen Ascher

It tastes great./ Its crunchy / Its chewy. / etc.), students can write examples of foods they know that smell terrible, taste great, are crunchy, are chewy, etc. MY OWN GREAT IDEA: ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

8 Grammar charts
All grammar charts include both explanations and example sentences. This allows you to teach either deductively OR inductivelyor to use the material for review.

GREAT IDEA 1: Create an inductive presentation by using the shape tool or the writing tool (set as thick in a dark color) to hide the explanations so students can only see the examples. Ask students to look carefully at the examples. Then ask them questions about what they see. For example, What form of the verb is used after will for the future? (the base form); What word is always part of an infinitive? (to); What ending do all gerunds have (-ing); etc. GREAT IDEA 2: After presenting the grammar, use the shape tool or the writing tool (set as thick in a dark color) to cover the examples so students can only see the explanations. Ask students to use the writing tool to create their own examples using the grammar. (The examples might be full sentences, phrases, or word-level examples.) If there are grammar headings instead of explanations, hide the headings and ask students to write their own examples under each one. GREAT IDEA 3: After presenting the grammar, cover the target grammar within any example sentences or phrases (the parts of the example sentences in blue). Ask students to complete the sentences in their own words, using the grammar. MY OWN GREAT IDEA: ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

9 Grammar or Vocabulary practice exercises


Practice exercises include multiple choice, fill-in, matching, etc. Make them more interactive through pair or group work.

Great Ideas: How to Use the Top Notch ActiveTeach Digital Students Book Top Notch Professional Development Series Issue 1 2011 Joan Saslow and Allen Ascher

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GREAT IDEA 1: Invite one or two students to complete the exercise at the board while others work in their books. Afterward, invite the class to decide whether the students at the board have answered correctly. GREAT IDEA 2: Invite a student to the board and ask the class to guide the student to complete the exercise correctly. GREAT IDEA 3: If the exercise is a fill-in activity with a cue, increase the challenge by using the shape tool or writing tool to hide the cues. This way, students have to think of their own words to complete the activity. GREAT IDEA 4: Click on the Grammar Booster icon for further practice with the grammar or related grammar points. GREAT IDEA 5: After you have presented a grammar chart, zoom in on the unit Photo Story or one of the Conversation Models so students can search for and highlight examples of that grammar point. GREAT IDEA 6: After you have presented a grammar chart, zoom in on the units Photo Story or one of the Conversation Models. Using the shape tool or the writing tool (set as thick in a dark color) to hide any examples of the grammar in the text. Invite students to complete the text, using the target grammar. MY OWN GREAT IDEA: ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

10 Listening Comprehension
Provide visual support for the class as they listen to the audio.

GREAT IDEA 1: Invite one or two students to complete the exercise at the board while others work in their books. Then, invite the class to decide if the students at the board have answered correctly. GREAT IDEA 2: Invite a student to the board and ask the class to guide the student to complete the exercise correctly. Invite a new student to the board after each conversation or each part of the listening. GREAT IDEA 3: If the activity involves identifying vocabulary, begin the audio and immediately zoom in on the vocabulary presentation. Ask students to use the writing tool to check or circle the word or words they heard.

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GREAT IDEA 4: Zoom in on a Listening Comprehension exercise. Invite students to use the writing tool to take notes as they listen. For example, they could write words they hear or key ideas. They can write in the white space on the page around the activity or you can use the shape tool to create a place for writing. GREAT IDEA 5: Zoom in on a Listening Comprehension exercise. Using the writing tool, draw stick figures, write key words, etc. to support meaning.

MY OWN GREAT IDEA: ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

11 Pronunciation
Every unit includes a Pronunciation presentation and practice activity.

GREAT IDEA 1: For Pronunciation activities, use the shape tool to cover the examples while you play the audio so students focus on listening instead of reading. Alternatively, use the writing tool (set as thick in a dark color) to hide only the yellow-highlighted pronunciation point in each example sentence while students listen to the audio. GREAT IDEA 2: Use the white space on the page around the Pronunciation presentation for writing or use the shape tool to create a place for writing. Invite students to use the writing tool to create their own examples of the pronunciation point and practice saying them aloud. GREAT IDEA 3: Invite students to use the writing or highlighting tool to indicate stressed syllables or rising and falling intonation in the example sentences. GREAT IDEA 4: After students have practiced the pronunciation exercises, zoom in on a Photo Story, Conversation Model, or Reading text and have students use the pen or highlight tool to indicate where the pronunciation point might apply. Then invite students to read their examples aloud, using the pronunciation theyve learned. MY OWN GREAT IDEA: ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

Great Ideas: How to Use the Top Notch ActiveTeach Digital Students Book Top Notch Professional Development Series Issue 1 2011 Joan Saslow and Allen Ascher

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12 Rhythm and Intonation


Every Conversation Model in Top Notch is followed by an opportunity to listen and repeat line by line. Help students focus on the patterns of English rhythm and intonation as they listen to the audio. Consult the Teachers Edition and Lesson Planner under Rhythm and intonation to find suggestions on important pronunciation features to pay special attention to as students repeat.

GREAT IDEA 1: Zoom in on a Conversation Model. Play the audio for Rhythm and Intonation and invite students to use the writing or highlighting tool to mark syllables that are stressed or to indicate rising or falling intonation. GREAT IDEA 2: Use the shape tool to create a place for writing. Invite students to write new example sentences that use the same stress or intonation patterns they learned in the Conversation Model. For example, when they learn to use rising intonation with yes / no questions, they can write other yes / no questions and practice saying them aloud.

MY OWN GREAT IDEA: ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

13 Reading
Use the Readings to increase the memorability of target language, provide models for writing and / or speaking, accelerate the acquisition of vocabulary; and teach reading skills and strategies.

GREAT IDEA 1: Zoom in on the Reading passage and invite students to use the highlighting tool to indicate language they think will be useful for the discussion or role play that follows on the next page in their book. Ask students to actively try using that language in their free speaking practice. GREAT IDEA 2: Using the writing tool (set as thick in a dark color), create a cloze activity by hiding words or phrases in the Reading. You can hide the units grammar point or key vocabulary, or you can hide words randomlyfor example, every fifth word. Ask students to complete the sentences, writing words in the places where words have been hidden. GREAT IDEA 3: When reviewing responses to the reading comprehension questions that follow Readings, invite students to use the highlighting tool to indicate where in the Reading there is information that supports each response.
Great Ideas: How to Use the Top Notch ActiveTeach Digital Students Book Top Notch Professional Development Series Issue 1 2011 Joan Saslow and Allen Ascher

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GREAT IDEA 4: Invite students to circle, underline, or highlight the sentence or paragraph in the Reading that expresses the main idea. Alternatively, you can ask them to identify the sentence that expresses the main idea of each paragraph. GREAT IDEA 5: Invite students to circle, underline, or highlight anything in the Reading that expresses a point of view. MY OWN GREAT IDEA: ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

14 Oral Review
These full-page pictures are designed to provide an opportunity for students to practice all the language theyve learned in the unit.

GREAT IDEA 1: Zoom in on the Oral Review direction lines. Use this to focus students attention on what you want them to do. GREAT IDEA 2: Zoom in on different sections of the picture. Using the instructions in the Teachers Edition and Lesson Planner for Oral Assessment ask questions about each section. GREAT IDEA 3: Zoom in on sections of the picture. Use the instructions in the Teachers Edition and Lesson Planner to invite students to create activities. For example, they can name vocabulary, create true / false statements, etc. GREAT IDEA 4: Zoom in on one section of the picture and use the shape tool to create a place for writing next to the picture. Invite students to write on the shape (for example, describing the picture, identifying vocabulary, using the grammar, creating a conversation, etc.). GREAT IDEA 5: Invite students to use the writing tool to circle people, objects, or parts of the picture. Other students identify or describe what they see circled. MY OWN GREAT IDEA: ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

Great Ideas: How to Use the Top Notch ActiveTeach Digital Students Book Top Notch Professional Development Series Issue 1 2011 Joan Saslow and Allen Ascher

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15 Writing tasks and Writing Booster All levels include Writing tasks. Levels 1, 2, and 3 also include a Writing Booster.

GREAT IDEA 1: Zoom in on the writing task. Ask students to brainstorm ideas to include in their writing. Use the white space on the page near the task, or use the shape tool to create a place to write students ideas. GREAT IDEA 2: If the assignment suggests that students write on a separate piece of paper, consider inviting one or more students to the board to write there. Use the shape tool to create a place for writing. GREAT IDEA 3: In the Writing Booster, use the shape tool or the writing tool (set as thick in a dark color) to hide a part of the presentation of the writing skill and invite students to complete the information. For example, you could hide words such as conjunctions or transition words and ask students to fill them in. Or you could hide the explanations, ask students to study the examples, and create their own explanations based on the examples. Conversely, you could hide the examples and ask students to read the explanations and write their own examples. GREAT IDEA 4: If the Writing Booster includes a writing model, zoom in on it and invite students to highlight and explain those features of the model that include examples of the writing skill taught in the Writing Booster. GREAT IDEA 5: Invite students to complete Writing Booster exercises on the digital page while other students complete them in their books. GREAT IDEA 6: If the Writing Booster contains a writing model that includes examples of the units grammar, invite students to use the writing or the highlighting tool to find and indicate the examples. MY OWN GREAT IDEA: ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

16 Top Notch TV
The video program can be accessed by clicking the VIDEO tab to the left of the screen. Choose the segment you want your students to watch.

GREAT IDEA 1: Play a scene from the video and then pause. Using the writing tool, draw an arrow on the Students Book page pointing to a character on the video screen
Great Ideas: How to Use the Top Notch ActiveTeach Digital Students Book Top Notch Professional Development Series Issue 1 2011 Joan Saslow and Allen Ascher

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and ask students questions about that person. For example, What is she thinking right now? What is he going to say next? Why is she so happy? Why is he surprised? GREAT IDEA 2: Play part of a scene and pause. Use the shape tool to create a speech balloon over one of the characters that is large enough to write in. Invite students to write what they think the character will say next or is thinking about at that moment. GREAT IDEA 3: Zoom in on a Vocabulary presentation from the Students Book with words or expressions that are used in the video scene. Drag the video screen so it is placed next to the vocabulary presentation. Play the scene and invite students to use the writing or the highlighting tool to circle the words or expressions in the Vocabulary presentation that are used in the video scene. GREAT IDEA 4: Play the scene with Captions On. Pause to call attention to key language in the captions or pronunciation features such as word stress or intonation. Invite students to use the writing tool to rewrite the caption, for example, underlining stressed syllables or indicating with arrows where intonation is rising (or falling). GREAT IDEA 5: Use the shape tool to create a place for writing and place it next to the video screen. Ask questions about the scene and invite students to write their responses in the space. For example, What foods are on the menu? What foods does she think are unhealthy? etc.

MY OWN GREAT IDEA: ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

17 Top Notch Pop


The Top Notch Pop song lyrics are available at the end of the ActiveTeach Digital Students Book pages. They are also available on the Top Notch TV video.

GREAT IDEA 1: Go to the lyrics page and zoom in on the song. Using the writing tool (set as thick in a dark color), create a cloze activity by hiding words or phrases. You can focus on the grammar point, key vocabulary, or hide words randomlyfor example every fifth word. Ask students to complete the lyrics. You can do this before listening, while listening, or after listening. GREAT IDEA 2: Go to the lyrics page and zoom in on the song. Ask students questions about the song. Invite students to underline, circle, or highlight the place in the lyrics that supports their answers.

Great Ideas: How to Use the Top Notch ActiveTeach Digital Students Book Top Notch Professional Development Series Issue 1 2011 Joan Saslow and Allen Ascher

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GREAT IDEA 3: Go to the lyrics page and zoom in on the song. As they listen to the audio, invite students to highlight or underline stressed syllables in the lyrics. MY OWN GREAT IDEA: ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

How can I create and save my own pages?


With the ActiveTeach Digital Students Book, you will be able to prepare and save your own interactive activities on any Top Notch Students Book page. You can then use those pre-prepared activities again and again in your lessons. Step 1: Use the writing, highlighting, or shape tools to create the lesson or activity you want. Step 2: Click on the Save icon and give the file a name. Then click on Save again. Step 3: When you are ready to re-use the activity, click on the Open File icon. Step 4: After students have completed the activity, click on to close the file. If you choose Do not save, the file will remain as you originally created it. Then when you open the file again, it will be clear of any new student responses. Here are some ideas for creating pages you can save and use again and again. GREAT IDEA 1: Choose a Vocabulary presentation. Use the shape tool or the writing tool to hide the captions. Save the page so students can use it anytime for vocabulary practice. GREAT IDEA 2: Choose a Conversation Model. Use the shape tool or the writing tool to hide selected lines in the conversation. Save the page so students can use it anytime as a completion activity. GREAT IDEA 3: Choose a Grammar chart. Use the shape tool or the writing tool to hide the explanations or the examples. Save the page so students can use it anytime to recall the grammar rules or create their own examples. GREAT IDEA 4: Choose a Reading. Using the writing tool, create a cloze activity by hiding certain words or phrases in the Reading. Save the Reading so students can complete the Reading orally or use the writing tool to write in the words or phrases. GREAT IDEA 5: Use the writing tool to complete any exercise. Save the page so you can simply open this file to show students the correct answers.
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MY OWN GREAT IDEA: ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

We hope the ideas in this guide help you get the most out of your hearing about your own great ideas. Joan Saslow and Allen Ascher

Top Notch ActiveTeach Digital Students Book. We look forward to

Great Ideas: How to Use the Top Notch ActiveTeach Digital Students Book Top Notch Professional Development Series Issue 1 2011 Joan Saslow and Allen Ascher

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About the Authors


Joan Saslow Joan Saslow has taught in a variety of programs in South America and the United States. She is author of a number of multi-level integrated-skills courses for adults and young adults: Ready to Go: Language, Lifeskills, and Civics; Workplace Plus: Living and Working in English; and of Literacy Plus. She is also author of English in Context: Reading Comprehension for Science and Technology. Ms. Saslow was the series director of True Colors and True Voices. She participates in the English Language Specialist Program in the U.S. Department of States Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Allen Ascher Allen Ascher has been a teacher and a teacher trainer in China and the United States and taught in the TESOL Certificate Program at the New School in New York. He was also academic director of the International English Language Institute at Hunter College. Mr. Ascher is author of the Teaching Speaking module of Teacher Development Interactive, an online multimedia teachertraining program, and of Think About Editing: A Grammar Editing Guide for ESL. Both Ms. Saslow and Mr. Ascher are frequent and popular speakers at professional conferences and international gatherings of EFL and ESL teachers.

Be a Part of It: Join the Top Notch teacher community Connect with other Top Notch users Contribute your views and share ideas Attend professional development sessions with the authors Download resources and find practical teaching tips

www.pearsonlongman.com/topnotch2e

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