Add some PIZZAZZ to class WITH HOT TOPICS! This was supposed to be a 10-minute segment in my Spanish 5 class. However, we ended up discussing the themes associated with Taylor and Travis's love story for 45 minutes. And because I know teachers don't like to recreate the wheel, I have included the slide deck… Continue reading Take Your Class Discussions to The Next Level! (Freebie)
Pégalo: High-energy Versatile Game for WL Language Class- Steps, Template & Video Included!
Earlier this week in my FB Group: Teaching From the Trenches , as well as on Instagram, I shared a video of my class playing "Pégalo" with prominent figures for Black History Month. This is my go-to game because it's super easy to implement and assemble, not to mention, I can virtually combine it with… Continue reading Pégalo: High-energy Versatile Game for WL Language Class- Steps, Template & Video Included!
Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue, We Have Several Valentine’s Day-Themed Spanish Resources Just For You!
Valentines' Day is right around the corner, and if you are thinking of providing your students with Spanish content to highlight the theme of love and friendship, you've clicked on the right post! We have a bevy of resources to choose from to make your day as sweet as possible. Freebie: Shakira and Pique Drama… Continue reading Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue, We Have Several Valentine’s Day-Themed Spanish Resources Just For You!
Spanish Activity for Encouraging Self-Care During Finals Season (download and use this week!)
We are in full-swing finals at my school, and my students are stressed. While I don't provide a final per se, students are required to have a final assessment to meet the standards. While I feel that I have prepared students sufficiently for their end-of-the year assessments, many of them have been stressed out with… Continue reading Spanish Activity for Encouraging Self-Care During Finals Season (download and use this week!)
Designing Lessons With Preserving Your Energy In Mind: Teaching from the Trenches 101 (Sample Routine)
Teaching is a full-on contact sport. We engage yourself physically, emotionally, spiritually, and psychologically. Not many jobs require this type of PREMIUM membership; so, aren't we the lucky ones? Teaching during the pandemic made me realize that my energy reserves were consistently being depleted, with a limited amount of time for replenishment. Like most teachers,… Continue reading Designing Lessons With Preserving Your Energy In Mind: Teaching from the Trenches 101 (Sample Routine)
“La revelación”: New CI Thriller by A.C. Quintero
Check out the new book trailer added! https://youtu.be/x9uUbim5ECE?si=5ilpM1EOFWIfTvda If your students loved the drama-drenched mystery of Las apariencias engañan, the adrenaline pumping suspenseful sequel, El amario, and the thrilling plot twists of Las sombras; they’ll relish this new CI reader: “La revelación.” Three years in the making, this tale weaves a rich tapestry of characters,… Continue reading “La revelación”: New CI Thriller by A.C. Quintero
Nail Your First Day of School With This Dynamic WL Activity: It’s Student-Approved!
The first day of school is right around the corner, and I will admit; I am more nervous than usually. I was doggedly tired at the end of last year, and consequently I didn’t lift a finger this summer (only to put delicious food in my belly!). I was too caught up globetrotting, resting, and… Continue reading Nail Your First Day of School With This Dynamic WL Activity: It’s Student-Approved!
Teach Spanish More Strategically with These New Resources! Last Day for the TPT Sale: Cyber23
It's that time again, when teacher creators have our annual show and tell! Well, we have a few more things we'd like to show you, and maybe even some confessions to tell! There are a few new kids on the block. And you have options! You can either, cut to the chase and hojear the… Continue reading Teach Spanish More Strategically with These New Resources! Last Day for the TPT Sale: Cyber23
Why Teaching in This Hyper-Reality Is So Exhausting… And How To Reclaim Your Energy, Dignity & Balance!
This quote, sourced from an article in the June 2023 edition of The Atlantic, deeply resonated with me on multiple levels. While originally referring to the impact of social media and our incessant need for constant entertainment, it struck me how applicable this notion is to the field of education in our current hyper-reality. Reference:… Continue reading Why Teaching in This Hyper-Reality Is So Exhausting… And How To Reclaim Your Energy, Dignity & Balance!
“El Portal”:New CI Novel from A.C. Quintero
I am pleased to finally reveal the newest edition to the Quintero CI Novel Collection: El portal; en busca de la verdad, published by Wayside. This project has been in the works since 2019, and as such, has undergone so many thoughtful and meaningful revisions not to mention the countless hours invested to ensure it… Continue reading “El Portal”:New CI Novel from A.C. Quintero
Freebie: Information Gap Weekend Chat Activity| Spanish 1+
That said, Weekend Chat is a perfect way for teachers to introduce, reinforce or review common structures in the target language. Not to mention, it promotes movement and lively conversation, which is the heartbeat of world language class.
I shouldn’t be the hardest working person in the classroom, and neither should you!
For our Spanish 1 final writing assessment, my students had to write about themselves (which culminated in all the personal interview from the first part of the year), daily routines, and classes (we are preparing for one of my most popular novels, La clase de confesiones next semester, so I am frontloading some of the… Continue reading I shouldn’t be the hardest working person in the classroom, and neither should you!
Diego’s Comprehensible Poetry for the Win! Lesson, resources, ideas & activities
It's no secret, I really enjoy using reading, writing and using poetry in the classroom (see my previous post here on Free Voluntary Reading) This semester, I used one of Diego Ojeda's poems from his poemario "Poesía gramatical". You can pick up your copy at the retailers below. Brycehedstrom.com Cpli.net Amazon.com I love the depth… Continue reading Diego’s Comprehensible Poetry for the Win! Lesson, resources, ideas & activities
When the Lesson Isn’t A Good Fit for Students
Teachers Are Full of Great Ideas Most teachers are active online because we love scoring new ideas from other teachers, especially on how to improve our practice or student experience. We become enamored with novel teaching strategies, games, ideas, to take back to our classroom to implement. We are so sure our students will be… Continue reading When the Lesson Isn’t A Good Fit for Students
Gente de Zona Super 7 Verb Activity
Using Super 7 verbs and other basic structures to learn about Latinx artists: Group featured: Gente de Zona.
Cultural Appropriation or Celebration? Mini-Unit for Spanish Class
In preparation for the film Ocho apellidos vascos, students are learning about stereotypes, cultural appropriation, Basque culture, and the culture of Southern Spain, which includes Flamenco. This brought us to discuss Rosalía, her music, and accusations against her style as appropriation. Many times, students hear terms thrown around (such as “that’s racist) and do not… Continue reading Cultural Appropriation or Celebration? Mini-Unit for Spanish Class
Making Language Real From the Very First Day!
Making Language Real From the Very First Day! A dynamic activities to get your kids using the language from the very first day!
Cyber Monday TPT Sale! End the Year with Calm!
New School Year, New Post, New Resources & New Sale!
Combining Authentic Resources, Comprehensible Input, and Famous Afro-Latin@s All in One Lesson!
Combining Authentic Resources, Comprehensible Input, and Famous Afro-Latin@s All in One Lesson!
Let me be the first to say that I have a ton of resources for teaching Black History Month to students. You can check out my previous Newsletter to get a rundown of those cultural gems. However, like most teachers, I really love to create! It’s my vice, seriously, it really is (I spend way… Continue reading
Day of the Dead Lesson: Student Ownership: Successful Lesson!
Sharing from The Trenches Today was my first day back to full classes, and it went better than I had expected. In fact, one student remarked, “Class was very productive, today.” I really appreciate their assessment of the class flow! After teaching today, I asked myself what was so different? Upon analyzing the components of… Continue reading Day of the Dead Lesson: Student Ownership: Successful Lesson!
Holiday Traditions & New Year’s Activities for the Weary Teacher (All Levels)
Feliz Año Nuevo: Starting the New Year With el pie derecho. Activities & Games to Get them talking in Spanish Class!
Two Approaches to Special Persons in My Classroom: Always a Winner!
Good day, teachers! We are all busy, so I will make this quick! I have just revised this Special Persons resource for my students and posted it on Teachers Pay Teachers Store: Teaching Spanish Made Easy! We just finished up our mini-unit on All About Me and this resource was a true hit! Here is… Continue reading Two Approaches to Special Persons in My Classroom: Always a Winner!
Diversify Your World Language Curriculum with These Resources!
Did you know that integrating Afro-Latinx/Black-oriented content and contributions in your classroom curriculum is just a click away? Literally, click here to preview the beautiful array of people and stories that will inspire your students. And there’s more good news; you don’t have to wait until Black History Month!
Using Affirmations in Spanish Class: Engage the Brain and the Heart!
When I saw this affirmation on the board, my heart melted! It made me so hopeful that even these unique circumstances, and with the curriculum being all over the place this year that a student felt they could triumph in my class! What started out as a novel activity, is now a vital part of… Continue reading Using Affirmations in Spanish Class: Engage the Brain and the Heart!
Tips On How To Teach A World Language in a Split Reality
Tips On How To Teach A World Language in a Split Reality. Spoiler alert: It's challenging but doable.
10 Steps to working a short story IPA style in Your Classroom!
Filomena is my new favorite short story! It was written and performed by Theresa Jensen. You can find it on her storytime Youtube channel. The story and all its activities can be found on storylabs.com See the video for the story below and use in your class right away! *Activities for the story are at… Continue reading 10 Steps to working a short story IPA style in Your Classroom!
Virtually Speaking: How To Turn Up the Volume In Class!
Our virtual classrooms can resemble a high-security vault in where the only thing you hear is yourself breathing. What if I told you, it did not have to be like this? Well, it's true! There are ways that we can motivate students to talk online, and have a great time doing it!
Estate Tranquil@: Don’t teach the verb Estar; Rather Use It for Real Communicative Purposes in Your Classroom
Sometimes we fret over how to teach, or how students will learn some of those high-frequency structures in Spanish. I remember a few years ago, I just could not fit it all in. It was tiring. However, developing a more CI approach to my curriculum, has freed up a lot of bandwidth, encouraging creative twists… Continue reading Estate Tranquil@: Don’t teach the verb Estar; Rather Use It for Real Communicative Purposes in Your Classroom
Adding Student Voice and Choice To An Already Set Curriculum: ¡Sí se puede!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ur5AX25CkiQ&t=3s It’s undeniable that student voice, choice and interest must be the bread and butter of the curriculum. Just think, if your administrators or superintendent polled teachers before rolling out new systems and/or protocols… the education system would be debugged, optimized, and a potential maximizer! Student success would be at an all-time high. Okay, that… Continue reading Adding Student Voice and Choice To An Already Set Curriculum: ¡Sí se puede!
A Jamming Success! Teaching Holiday Traditions in a Time-crunched Spanish class!
Today was a jam session two days before Winter Break! We had a full house, and I hope they enjoyed the festivities. One of the things I love about Jamboard (a new collaborate feature from Google), is that I can assign student work, and monitor it at simultaneously. It's like having communal work time. This… Continue reading A Jamming Success! Teaching Holiday Traditions in a Time-crunched Spanish class!
Mind The Gap: An Energy-preserving Teaching Strategy for Virtual Learning & Beyond!
Mind The Gap As we go into next week, I felt compelled to share this energy-preserving teaching strategy that has saved me my sanity and preserved my energy. It's super simple: Create a gap space between classes, especially when they are back-to-back. We get so carried away wanting to instruct to the very last minute… Continue reading Mind The Gap: An Energy-preserving Teaching Strategy for Virtual Learning & Beyond!
Quick Communicative Wins with Novice-Low Students
I am finally learning to have fun on the virtual playground. It is a mix of “Ya está” and, well, just making that good old-fashioned lemonade. Although there is no comparison (similar to real ice-cream, versus the soy variety), I am learning to leverage the right tools to get students talking, laughing, and having temporary… Continue reading Quick Communicative Wins with Novice-Low Students
Virtual Reality Survivor’s Guide To Teaching Remote!
Ready to Work! Last week was my first week of school and I thought it was going to end up much like the picture below. I had heard the stories, seen the posts, read the vents along with the parade of retirement announcements. To quote Gloria Gaynor, at first I was afraid, I was petrified… Continue reading Virtual Reality Survivor’s Guide To Teaching Remote!
Divide and Conquer: Digital Resources that Add Some Jazz to Class!
Well, we have two new resources in the Teaching Spanish Made Easy family! Check them out! And best of all, you can use for remote instruction or face to face! I love writing and even more so short stories. These are my new ones out the gate. First up we have "Mi vida es un… Continue reading Divide and Conquer: Digital Resources that Add Some Jazz to Class!
The Formation and Politics of Identity: Spanish Level 4 Unit by A.C. Quintero
Picture by E. Gómez, Barcelona In an effort to give teachers a peek inside my classroom, I will be using this space to share resources, ideas, and lessons that have shaped by Identity unit for my level 4 classroom. This unit consists of a plethora of resources, both paid and free. Some of the resources… Continue reading The Formation and Politics of Identity: Spanish Level 4 Unit by A.C. Quintero
Caras Vemos, Corazones No Sabemos: A New and Compelling Novel From The Creative Mind of Theresa Jensen
Caras Vemos, Corazones No Sabemos: A New and Compelling Novel From The Creative Mind of Theresa Jensen
Animated Book Trailer And Movie Talk For The Spanish Level 1 Novel: La clase de confesiones.
Confesionista: Anyone who uses the novels "La clase de confesiones" or "La bella mentira" in class! Confesionistas, this animated book trailer/ Movie Talk has been in the works for a very long time, and I am so excited to be finally launching it! I actually started this project one year ago, and have been so… Continue reading Animated Book Trailer And Movie Talk For The Spanish Level 1 Novel: La clase de confesiones.
5 Ways to Use Authentic Realia in the World Language Classroom; You’ll Be Surprised by How Simple This Is!
We all are looking to simplify our lives. These activities help teachers to utilize authentic realia in the class, with a true purpose.
The Writing on the Wall: The Role of Word Walls in a Comprehension-based Classroom
During my last full day classes, students had an opportunity to share about their top five lessons and activities of the school year. Of course, they raved about Free Voluntary Reading (click here to read post), the Telenovela project, Conversation Circle the assortment of level 1 readers we explored, and of course, the Netflix mystery,… Continue reading The Writing on the Wall: The Role of Word Walls in a Comprehension-based Classroom
Well-Read: Making Free Voluntary Reading Work in WL Class (Podcast Episode)
I had the pleasure of collaborating with Claudia Ellliot from Growing in Profiency Podcast to discuss my absolute favorite topic: Reading with Purpose in the World Language classroom. As an author of Comprehensible Input novels, I deeply grasp the significance of reading in the classroom. However, with 19 years of experience teaching in public schools,… Continue reading Well-Read: Making Free Voluntary Reading Work in WL Class (Podcast Episode)
Holiday Lessons, Traditions and Activities for Spanish Class!
The close of the semester is upon us, and if you are in the market for quick activities to highlight traditions throughout Latin America, the ones below will help you get a jumpstart! One of my favorite activities is La maleta; the extended version is below (reading and activities). I share with students the ritual… Continue reading Holiday Lessons, Traditions and Activities for Spanish Class!
HOT OFF THE PRESS! “Breaking News” Activity for WL Language Class from my 2nd Week of School- Template Included!
The beginning of the school year, once dreaded, is now becoming my favorite time of the year! I love all the new faces, new activities, and exploring the world of language. For the past couple of years, I have done this Todos sobre mí activity as well as this La máquina del tiempo activity to… Continue reading HOT OFF THE PRESS! “Breaking News” Activity for WL Language Class from my 2nd Week of School- Template Included!
Rolling Out the Beginning of the Year in Phases
Rolling Out the Beginning of the Year in Stages and Preserve Your Mental Peace!
Novels & Resources by A.C. Quintero 