Preaching To Acquire

Every decision we make is hard. But which hard is worth it?

A.C. Quintero is a talented and passionate Spanish teacher. She is also the author of many fabulous (seriously... I've read almost all of them) comprehensible input novels for students. We had a great chat about what equity looks like in the world language classroom and why it should be a priority.

Bertha Delgadillo is an inspiring, strong, and wonderful Spanish teacher. Her own story as an undocumented student in the US has impacted her teaching practices and how she creates a safe space for heritage and undocumented students. Make sure to check out her blog post on this topic !

Jodi is one of my closest friends that I am also proud to call a colleague.  We have both gone on a similar journey transitioning from teaching with a textbook to teaching completely with CI strategies.  Hear some of her tips to work with the book you have or some simple strategies to add in to the already existing curriculum.  Check out Jodi's YouTube channel to see her awesome teaching videos!

Here's my heart. It has been a long 9 weeks at home and for the first time since this started, I am feeling like myself. I hope this inspires you and helps take steps to feel like yourself again, too.

Kristen Wolf is a Spanish teacher in Montana who has a passion for reaching ALL students. Join us to hear some of Kristen's story and to hear us chat about differentiation in CI classrooms.

I explain how I do the activity Back At'Cha/Ping Pong Recall that I learned from Martina Bex. The class is split into 2+ teams and each team takes turns telling information about an image/content that they are familiar with. They go back and forth sharing more details until they run out of things to say. Then it's on the the next image/section of content.

I share my take on the activity called No Detail Left Behind (previously called Circle the Wagons) that I learned from the Señor Wooly team during Wooly Week 2019. The students are in smaller groups sharing as much as they can about images from a very familiar story.

I go into great detail on how to use a story mountain and story mountain graphic organizer to recycle and continuing process the language froma story that you already told your class. I also discuss the activity "What Would They Say/Think?" And other extension options once students are comfortable and confident with the story.

I explain the quick Quiz and some easy grading hacks for them.

I share how the Q&A game works, two ways to play, and suggestions for how to make sure your students are staying on task during the activity.   Click this link for the rubrics/game boards to play the Q&A game .

I share one of my favorite strategies for telling stories... A visual story! I also share some ideas to extend the story once you have artwork and a text created!

I explain a narrative input chart, how I used it to tell a personal story in class and how I used the same images and a story mountain graphic organizer to extend the story. (I'm planning to add links to this description soon.)

I explain what a clip chat (movie talk) is and some different strategies to help make it successful in your classes. Plus, I share the benefits of following this activity up with a write and discuss and how you can extend the content

I share my take on the traditional idea of PQA as well as suggestions for personalizing other input activities with whole class and individual questions.

I explain what a visual survey is and how to implement it in your language classroom. Plus, I share a fun little oral review game to do with multiple pictures.

I explain what a picture walk is and how to use it to deliver CI in your language classroom.

A little New Year reflection and reminder.

This can be used with any text, topic, or input you've worked with in class.

I wanted to make a quick episode to update you all on some things I've been struggling with and the lessons I'm learning. I'm working on being vulnerable and courageous (thanks Brené Brown) so here it is. You are not alone. We can do this. Thanks for listening to my heart.

I share with you a few ways I naturally discuss grammar in class and how I handle sending my 8th grade students to a traditional high school that focuses on vocabulary and grammar.

I'll share my tips for bringing less work home and all about the daily instructional framework that I've implemented this year to reduce planning time.

Sr. Wooly, Textivate, written stories, Martina Bex's story board sub plan template, and holding kids accountable for their work.

I share about how using a story map during input time saved my sanity in "that class." Video of this class . Link to story map graphic organizer .

In this episode I share and the mindset shift that takes place when switching from traditional grammar and vocabulary focused teaching to teaching with CI and for proficiency. I discuss mindset about assessment and your daily instruction and how it all related to the way brains acquire language.