Need a fun activity this week for your students? Why not make a Kahoot for them to enjoy? Maybe have a Fun Friday? A Kahoot works for any subject, and it’s free for teachers. Teachers can even search topics to preview (always preview!) for their students. Kahoots can be played on laptops or phones, individually or in teams. Ghost Mode can be fun as a challenge round. Give Kahoot a try—you won’t be sorry!
As the new year starts and the second semester gets underway, I am more committed than ever to using Comprehensible Input (CI) strategies to improve learning outcomes for my students. I gave up my textbooks a few years ago, and CI allows me the freedom to explore student interests and still teach vocabulary in context. For me, the key is “in context.” Vocabulary lists alone will not improve fluency. As children, none of us sat down to study a list when we were learning our first language, right?
It was hard to “let go” in the beginning, of course. Change can be really hard! Sometimes my students don’t even realize they are being taught. I know, however, that those repetitions of vocabulary and structures are working their magic. Time will tell.
My students have been using the CI novels in class. We generally read one as a class. Many times, I’ll have them follow along as I read and act out the story. In some classes, students want to act out scenes. Usually, hilarity ensues!
My plan is in place for my classes. I hope I’m up to the challenge.
Teachers are not the best-paid professionals in the United States, but some of the perks can sure make a difference in our attitudes. I feel like my school district is getting a lot right.
I’m glad to say that our administrators back off and allow us to do our jobs. Our school is also great when it comes to investing in staff. I’m talking about professional development. I feel that my school excels in investing in its teachers because there are no hard limits placed on PD days; we can make a case for an important conference just about any time. That matters a lot to me and my colleagues. I make an effort not to overuse professional development days. That being said, I also do not hesitate to mention opportunities featuring skilled teachers/speakers that I need to attend to improve my own skills.
I’m fortunate to be able to hone my skills and learn from masters. When a school district invests in its teachers, students reap the rewards.
We (parents and teachers) know how special our students are. We know their personalities and can appreciate them as they are while we do our best to teach and nurture them.
I had way too much free time this weekend. I ended up writing a rap song for my seventh graders. Yes, a rap. I decided my kids needed a little bit of comedy, so I actually performed the song and allowed them to video me—something I never do! I worked in every kid’s name, so it was specific to them.
They seemed quite happy, and I even heard from some of the parents about the rap. I’m glad I made my kids smile. For now, though, it’s back to work!
If you’d like to see my version of crazy, a student put it on Youtube with the title “Crazy teacher went Eminem.”
This guy was drawn by a student and described in Spanish. My PLAN worked well.
I am excited for class tomorrow because I have a PLAN. I have been writing a story to use that meshes well with comprehensible input. I have thrown in some of the Sweet 16 vocabulary that my students already know along with some solid descriptions of our characters…I am ready!
Students will be drawing and coloring…yep, coloring! Hay un hombre delgado y bajo. Lleva pantalones negros….
I was working in my classroom today, looking at my new Spanish novels and checking the new scope and sequence. I have big plans, so I hope I can get this all pulled together. I cannot be the only teacher with this dream. We, meaning teachers in my ESU (Educational Service Unit), are making a concerted effort to increase fluency using comprehensible input.
We all start a new school year with high hopes, but sometimes we get discouraged before Christmas. Let’s make a pact not to give up too soon this time. Fluency is too important, even if we have trouble convincing parents and students of this. I am lucky that I have the freedom to do what I know is right based on research. Many teachers are not so lucky, so I do feel blessed.
I promise not to give up this year, no matter how challenging it gets. My students deserve my best efforts, and I want them to experience that feeling of satisfaction that comes from learning more than they thought they could.
It was good seeing my Annandale crew again last weekend. It was also a pleasure to see student films submitted for the American History Film Project. Our event took place at the Angelika Theater, and the red carpet was awesome!
This school year has been different from last year in various ways. The main thing I have changed is my way of teaching. I threw out my book and have been concentrating on giving students tons of comprehensible input. They were a bit scared at first—and so was I, to be honest. They didn’t know what to expect without a book.
I am feeling much less apprehensive as I practice using a lot more Spanish in class. I explained the goal to the students (90% or more in Spanish) because it shouldn’t be a secret. I have had students share their feelings about comprehensible input lately.
One student said speaking Spanish is “becoming second nature” to her. Another told me he thinks we are meeting the goal of 90% Spanish in class. He also shared that he is understanding almost everything! I of course, am thrilled that my students are learning and happy.
I can’t wait to see how much the students learn (and retain) by the end of the year! Every positive comment from them encourages me more. For more information about comprehensible input, visit Martina Bex.
An English translation of Yoani Sánchez's blog Generación Y, from Havana, Cuba
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