If you have decided to teach for proficiency with an emphasis on comprehension, you are probably asking the question, "Where do I start?" When you ask this question to colleagues, they will probably suggest some resources for you. "Get SOMOS!" (side note- the price increases July 1), they might say, or "Start with Special Person … Continue reading Mindset for Acquisition: Changes in instruction require changes in thinking
Energy levels are low and attention spans are short. Kids are getting antsy and you are likely on your last legs! While May may be pure torture: there is one brief moment of reprieve: TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK! Whether or not your school PTA is treating you with a breakfast buffet this week, The Comprehensible Classroom … Continue reading Teacher Appreciation Sale! Up to 25% off ALL THE THINGS!
For the last three years, Spanish students have been able to follow the top stories from the Spanish-speaking world in El mundo en tus manos. Each week, Maris Hawkins and I identify important and interesting current events and write up comprehensible summaries so that beginning language learners can understand. As we prepare for the 2019-2020 … Continue reading Introducing…EMETM 2019-2020!
One of our family's favorite ways to get the squiggly wiggly's out is with Cosmic Kids Yoga. In each episode, Jamie tells a story and acts it out with yoga poses and other forms of movement (ex: jumping jacks, running in place, etc.). Our kids love the stories, love Jamie's accent, and love yoga. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40SZl84Lr7A … Continue reading Teach language with Yoga Stories!
Earlier this week, my heart sank as I watched live footage of Notre Dame be consumed by fire. Like many language teachers, my world travels have brought me to Paris several times, and by extension Notre Dame. Like many language teachers, I feel a connection to Notre Dame. Watching it burn was sad because it … Continue reading We care the most when we are most connected.
If you are a Spanish teacher that wants to teach their students about Semana Santa, I've got the tools you need to make it happen in the target language. My Semana Santa bundle includes four sets of materials that will allow you to teach about Semana Santa in all of your Spanish classes (Levels 1+), … Continue reading Semana Santa lesson plans for Spanish classes
Maybe you just finished co-creating an EPIC class story, or perhaps your students are still collapsed on the floor after listening with rapt attention to your terrifying true tale. No matter what kind of story you've just shared with your students, you're likely to find that no one is ready to let it go just … Continue reading 15 ways to keep playing with stories in language class
Many teachers long to make instructional changes in their classes, but longing only sometimes leads to action. Even after identifying the change they want to make, determining that it will be best for them and for their students, and learning how to implement it, many teachers still remain paralyzed; trapped in their old, no longer … Continue reading How to find the confidence to try something that terrifies you
If the idea of Freezer Meals both intrigues and terrifies you, then this post is for you. Preparing freezer meals is a great way to help you find balance between teacher/work life and whatever your real life looks like. For me, preparing freezer meals means that I get to enjoy my kids in the afternoons. … Continue reading FREEZER MEAL FIESTA – 10 MEALS IN 2 HOURS
"Write and Discuss" is one of the core strategies in a comprehension-based teacher's bag of tricks. It is easy-peasy and adaptable for many uses! In this post, I'm sharing with you a demo of Write and Discuss along with step-by-step instructions so that you can feel confident making this power-packed strategy your own! An abbreviated version … Continue reading Write and Discuss demo for language classes
