Preaching To Acquire

Kaitlin gives examples of how to use the Stepping Stones Curricular Framework without students using technology to complete the lessons. In 2020-2021, the padlets with digital curriculum materials were released because so many teachers were teaching online. But if you are not in that situation, don't feel you need to continue to use or make digital resources.

Kaitlin encourages you to use parts of the daily framework on the first day of class including guided oral input, write and discuss, and a quick quiz. Keep it simple so the students experience success on day 1!

Kaitlin describes how to use calendar talk to dive into input in your first days of class and how you use it to personalize instruction and create community.

Kaitlin breaks down what special person interviews look like in her classroom. She includes how to use these interviews within the daily framework and how to keep the other students engaged during the interviews.

Kaitlin explains how to use the card talk (or digital slide talk) strategy as a way to build community in her classes.

Kaitlin breaks down the 7 parts of the daily lesson framework from Tina Hargaden's Stepping Stones.

Kaitlin reflects on a moment from her own language learning high school days and it reinforces why she teaches the way she does.

Kaitlin reflects on her school year and talks and some of the positive pieces she's going to take forward into the 2021-2022 year

The end of the year can be exhausting. It's time to take a break and let your students create!

Kaitlin shares a few stories about her 8th grade students and what they taught her about what blank stares, bored expressions, and silence might really mean.

Kaitlin tells a story about her 8th grade class and a conversation they had in English about why the countries in Latin America speak Spanish. This conversation led to deeper ideas and questions. She explains how this well placed use of English can outweigh the value of the 90% TL target and why she feels that way.

Kaitlin gives you idea for activities to do with your classes on days when you don't have the energy to provide your normal input. Maybe you're sick or tired. Maybe your students have extra energy leading up to a break. Taking a day here and there to get some peace well help in the long run.

Kaitlin shares 3 specific ways she modifies the Stepping Stones curriculum (by Tina Hargaden) for elementary classes.

Kaitlin gives some ideas for how to pick a Señor Wooly video to use while trying to stay focused on the cycle/phase from Stepping Stones.

Kaitlin reflects on continued virtual teaching during these wild pandemic times.

I share some reflections on my transition from hybrid teaching (in person and online) to 100% virtual learning and changes I will make when we go back to hybrid.

I've found using graphic organizers of having students take notes during input time can really help then listen better and understand more!

Kaitlin shares about some of her experiences so far while trying to make her curriculum more culturally responsive, equitable, and representative of ALL races and cultures.

I explain how to do write and discuss and share some tips I learned to make this strategy successful!

I share with you how write and discuss saved my sanity and some ideas for extending the text if you have a little too much time left in class.

I give you an update on my school year as well as share what's working well for me using the Stepping Stones/Curriculum Club materials.

Warning: this is mostly an episode of me crying and sharing my heart about how difficult the year has been so far and how burnt out I'm already feeling. Yes, even on day 3.

Kaitlin explains how she sets up her gradebook percentages and why.

Kaitlin took a back seat in this episode and spent the interview listening and learning from some of the best! A.C. Quintero and Alicia Gonzalez, teachers on a mission to make their classrooms equitable, chat about not only the why and what of equity, but they also share how to put it into practice.

I give a few ideas for how you can teach with the Stepping Stones Curriculum by Tina Hargaden while making sure your students also get the grammar and vocabulary your school or district may require.