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
Miguel tiene que estudiar: The Perfect Digital Resource For Spanish 1!
I discovered the story, "Miguel tiene que estudiar" (available on TPT) last year with my Spanish 1 students. They absolutely loved it. The raved about it for ever! As I read each slide to them, each fragment of the story was met with visceral reactions as this the main character prioritizes playing games over learning.… Continue reading Miguel tiene que estudiar: The Perfect Digital Resource For Spanish 1!
Fridalicious: Spanish Mini-unit On The Art and Life of Frida Kahlo
(Jump to the bottom of the page to see the second installment) I will use this space to share my approach to our Frida unit during remote learning. I will update this blog with activities every week until the unit has concluded. To get these updates, you can follow this blog, or follow me on… Continue reading Fridalicious: Spanish Mini-unit On The Art and Life of Frida Kahlo
Virtual Special Person Interview : Remote Learning Edition
Special Person’s Interview, made popular by Bryce Hedstrom, is one of my favorite activities to do with students. I usually implement this CI rich, get-to-know you strategy at the beginning of the year while building community; then I recycle it throughout many units where students’ lives and interests can further unfold. The purpose of this… Continue reading Virtual Special Person Interview : Remote Learning Edition
Remote Learning Crisis-Response Toolbox: Teachers Are The True Heroes in This Story!
Check out this webinar on Youtube! More examples!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ulVtZAIK9c Before we get started, please pat yourself on the back because you are an awesome educator who curated resources, transformed your house into a learning center for your kids and someone's in a matter of days. With regards to remote learning, I have realized that we are… Continue reading Remote Learning Crisis-Response Toolbox: Teachers Are The True Heroes in This Story!
FREE VOLUNTARY READING RELOADED: READING TO ACQUIRE
Over the past couple of years independent reading in the world language classroom, or Free Voluntary Reading (FVR), Free Choice Reading (FCR), Sustained Silent Reading (SSR), has become more prevalent as more teachers tap into the power of reading, and witness the fruitful results. Years ago, I learned the importance of Free Voluntary Reading from… Continue reading FREE VOLUNTARY READING RELOADED: READING TO ACQUIRE
Flipping The Script: CI Novels in French and Spanish by Author Terri Marrama
I had the privilege of speaking to yet another CI author, who is flipping the script in Spanish and in French! Theresa Marrama is a French CI teacher, who has been working with authors such as Jennifer Degenhardt and A.C. Quintero on adapting their books from Spanish to French. What I did not know, is… Continue reading Flipping The Script: CI Novels in French and Spanish by Author Terri Marrama