So I want to do something a little different! Any teacher knows this time is year is known as the mid-year crunch! I don't know about you guys, but this time of the year my head is spinning in two different directions. I have all these PLANS in my head I want to do, all these revisions, ways I want to better my classes and program but I'm sitting here writing this blog entry instead of grading the heap of papers sitting beside me! :(
I think this time of year, teachers need INSPIRATION! I know I do. So....here's what we're going to do...I want you guys in the comments to share what you are MOST proud of in your classes and with your language program. It could be that you have increased your higher level numbers, conquered performance assessments, flipped your classrooms, etc. It's up to you but I want to hear it because I NEED IT. I need praise stories, I need inspiration, and I love hearing what makes all these language classes unique.
So, anything that you want to share, please do!
Gracias & God Bless,
Brittany B.
Friday, February 6, 2015
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
What's your "Review" style?
So here in the big (actually small) AC, we are getting ready to switch trimesters. This means 4 of my classes are already OVER (for the first 1/2). Yes, at the beginning of November. Now, I'm not going to make this post a rant about the trimesters because that's a new day, a new post, and probably a new blog BUT...I have realized..it's time to review!
I always get anxiety over what style, technique, activities, etc. do I use to review. Sometimes I feel like I give the test to kids on a silver platter and then I try to justify that if I don't study with them a few days before the exam, they just won't study at all.
I have compiled a few ways to "Review" with your kids and keep it interesting...feel free to steal and use:
1. Group Up & Create Flash-Cards: This is easy...you tell the kids to get together in a group, and create flash cards (I usually make each kid make about 20). Then after all that is over, they can partner up and quiz each other. I usually assign a small grade for creating their flashcards and some, ACTUALLY take them home to study! Wowzers. You can also use these for later activities incorporating the whole class.
2. "Join My Team" FlashCard Challenge: This game is fun and a good time-filler. You have the kids pull out their flash cards they made for the test. You make 2 kids the leaders...they are trying to see who can get the most people on their team before the other student does. Each person they call to join has to answer a "RANDOM" flashcard question. If not, they go to the other team. It can get interesting...only downfall: the students will blatantly call on all the "smart kids" first so it really displays your top kids versus lower kids but you can add in modifications to prevent this.
3. Mock Exam: This one might not be as "fun" but if you are truly curious where your kids are...this is great. I have a PPT prepared:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/First-Half-of-Spanish-1-Review-PowerPoint-1538267
and this PPT is the ultimate review. When I have done mock exams, it's usually with my mixed learner classes where I am confused if they are ready or not. Since this is just for fun and I give participation for completing, I let the kids fold down their name at the top, and then I give random papers to kids to check. Some will get 100 on the mock and they are READY for the exam, ahhh, this makes you feel better.
4. A game with a Nerf Net: I bought a simple $8 Nerf Net and Ball I keep in my room for review games. Pretty simple, divide up into teams (however many you want) and each team has to answer a question to shoot, 1 point for the correct answer, 1 point for the shot, if they mess up, another team can steal and take away the point. You can create your own rules but I find this is fun to do with the kids.
5. Baseball Game: this involves some pre-planning. Set up the class as home, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. A kid can pick a single, double, triple, or a homerun. If he/she picks a single and get it right, they advance on to 1st and the next kid picks their selection. When there are 3 wrong answers, time to switch out the teams. Kids really love this one too!
Well these are my top 5 and there are SOOO many more.
Feel free to use my PPT review for any of your games, activities, or to do a mock exam. IF you don't want the kids to prepare flash cards, you can use the questions from my PPT.
Feel free to share your awesome review games in the comment section!
God Bless,
Brittany B.
I always get anxiety over what style, technique, activities, etc. do I use to review. Sometimes I feel like I give the test to kids on a silver platter and then I try to justify that if I don't study with them a few days before the exam, they just won't study at all.
I have compiled a few ways to "Review" with your kids and keep it interesting...feel free to steal and use:
1. Group Up & Create Flash-Cards: This is easy...you tell the kids to get together in a group, and create flash cards (I usually make each kid make about 20). Then after all that is over, they can partner up and quiz each other. I usually assign a small grade for creating their flashcards and some, ACTUALLY take them home to study! Wowzers. You can also use these for later activities incorporating the whole class.
2. "Join My Team" FlashCard Challenge: This game is fun and a good time-filler. You have the kids pull out their flash cards they made for the test. You make 2 kids the leaders...they are trying to see who can get the most people on their team before the other student does. Each person they call to join has to answer a "RANDOM" flashcard question. If not, they go to the other team. It can get interesting...only downfall: the students will blatantly call on all the "smart kids" first so it really displays your top kids versus lower kids but you can add in modifications to prevent this.
3. Mock Exam: This one might not be as "fun" but if you are truly curious where your kids are...this is great. I have a PPT prepared:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/First-Half-of-Spanish-1-Review-PowerPoint-1538267
and this PPT is the ultimate review. When I have done mock exams, it's usually with my mixed learner classes where I am confused if they are ready or not. Since this is just for fun and I give participation for completing, I let the kids fold down their name at the top, and then I give random papers to kids to check. Some will get 100 on the mock and they are READY for the exam, ahhh, this makes you feel better.
4. A game with a Nerf Net: I bought a simple $8 Nerf Net and Ball I keep in my room for review games. Pretty simple, divide up into teams (however many you want) and each team has to answer a question to shoot, 1 point for the correct answer, 1 point for the shot, if they mess up, another team can steal and take away the point. You can create your own rules but I find this is fun to do with the kids.
5. Baseball Game: this involves some pre-planning. Set up the class as home, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. A kid can pick a single, double, triple, or a homerun. If he/she picks a single and get it right, they advance on to 1st and the next kid picks their selection. When there are 3 wrong answers, time to switch out the teams. Kids really love this one too!
Well these are my top 5 and there are SOOO many more.
Feel free to use my PPT review for any of your games, activities, or to do a mock exam. IF you don't want the kids to prepare flash cards, you can use the questions from my PPT.
Feel free to share your awesome review games in the comment section!
God Bless,
Brittany B.
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
A Different Kind of Fashion Show..."
So one of the many reasons I love teaching Spanish 2 is because we have the clothing unit. The clothing unit has a ton of opportunities for some really fun and engaging activities.
I am going to share my top TWO favorite clothing projects:
1. Create your own fashion line - This project is a individual written project. It makes the students write, use their vocabulary, tie in styles, use their adjectives that have to match in gender and in number. It's something you can post on the "Good Job Board" and show off your students' skills.
How I do this:
1. Get a blank sheet of paper and make a window on both sides (this creates 8 blocks).
2. Draw your "fashion styles" I ask that the kids pick a theme and try to stay with it. I have had kids do "Biker Style, County Boy Style, Camo Girl Style, Pretty in Pink Style, Formal Night Out, etc." The options are limitless.
3. They have to color....they like this task.
4. Lastly, they create their paragraphs that describe what their model is wearing. I tell the kids they have to have at least 4 clothing/accessory pieces in every box and there must be an adjective for every item (Long Pants, Pink Dress, Yellow Scarf, Big Sun Glasses, etc.) I also tell the kids all the sentences must be complete. It's not just listing what the person is wearing but describing it as if the model was walking down a runway.
This is about a day and half project. Whatever the kids don't finish on the 2nd day is homework. If you are monitoring and the kids are working hard...they should finish within a day and half.
Next project....A Surprise Fashion Show...Ahh, I love this one!
1. Divide your kids into groups of 4 to 5 kids.
2. They will pick who is going to be their "model" I give a few extra credit points to the person that is willing to be the model, just like 2 points.
3. I go around to each group and ask who their model is going to be and write it down.
4. After this, I get their attention. I tell them that whoever they picked that is going to be the model...but not for THEIR group. At this time you'll hear the kids go What? huh? I say "We are going to switch things up a bit" I then start assigning OTHER groups to OTHER models.
This is where it gets interesting because you'll hear "Wait, does that mean we get to dress "this person"?" Yep...and they can't argue! It then gets really fun and interesting because you have dudes dressing girls and girls dressing dudes. You have the country kids dressing the preppy kids and vice-versa.
Now, they need to develop a list of what they are going to bring in for the fashion show THE NEXT DAY. EVERYONE must bring something in from home. After forming the English of the clothing & accessories, they have to pass the paper and translate into Spanish adding lots of detail. (Chance wears a red hat with flowers). THEY MUST USE DETAILS!
After they have their sentences with lots of descriptions about the clothes, I check them. I give feedback and write little corrections such as "Make that adjective plural"
Now, it's onto the next day....I bring in a massive sheet from my house. Behind it, the model will put on the clothing (OVER THEIR OWN CLOTHES) of what the group has brought.
The groups get in front of the class and read off what the model is currently putting on. It gets VERY interesting. The kids in the audience have to raise their hand and GUESS what they are currently putting on in English.
Finally, the group drops the curtain and the model does a little stroll on the cat walk displaying all the great wonderful clothes his/her opposing group has brought. :)
So much fun!!! And tons of engagement!
Here is a pic of one of my models sporting his attire that was chosen for him by a bunch of his gal pals!
I am going to share my top TWO favorite clothing projects:
1. Create your own fashion line - This project is a individual written project. It makes the students write, use their vocabulary, tie in styles, use their adjectives that have to match in gender and in number. It's something you can post on the "Good Job Board" and show off your students' skills.
How I do this:
1. Get a blank sheet of paper and make a window on both sides (this creates 8 blocks).
2. Draw your "fashion styles" I ask that the kids pick a theme and try to stay with it. I have had kids do "Biker Style, County Boy Style, Camo Girl Style, Pretty in Pink Style, Formal Night Out, etc." The options are limitless.
3. They have to color....they like this task.
4. Lastly, they create their paragraphs that describe what their model is wearing. I tell the kids they have to have at least 4 clothing/accessory pieces in every box and there must be an adjective for every item (Long Pants, Pink Dress, Yellow Scarf, Big Sun Glasses, etc.) I also tell the kids all the sentences must be complete. It's not just listing what the person is wearing but describing it as if the model was walking down a runway.
This is about a day and half project. Whatever the kids don't finish on the 2nd day is homework. If you are monitoring and the kids are working hard...they should finish within a day and half.
Next project....A Surprise Fashion Show...Ahh, I love this one!
1. Divide your kids into groups of 4 to 5 kids.
2. They will pick who is going to be their "model" I give a few extra credit points to the person that is willing to be the model, just like 2 points.
3. I go around to each group and ask who their model is going to be and write it down.
4. After this, I get their attention. I tell them that whoever they picked that is going to be the model...but not for THEIR group. At this time you'll hear the kids go What? huh? I say "We are going to switch things up a bit" I then start assigning OTHER groups to OTHER models.
This is where it gets interesting because you'll hear "Wait, does that mean we get to dress "this person"?" Yep...and they can't argue! It then gets really fun and interesting because you have dudes dressing girls and girls dressing dudes. You have the country kids dressing the preppy kids and vice-versa.
Now, they need to develop a list of what they are going to bring in for the fashion show THE NEXT DAY. EVERYONE must bring something in from home. After forming the English of the clothing & accessories, they have to pass the paper and translate into Spanish adding lots of detail. (Chance wears a red hat with flowers). THEY MUST USE DETAILS!
After they have their sentences with lots of descriptions about the clothes, I check them. I give feedback and write little corrections such as "Make that adjective plural"
Now, it's onto the next day....I bring in a massive sheet from my house. Behind it, the model will put on the clothing (OVER THEIR OWN CLOTHES) of what the group has brought.
The groups get in front of the class and read off what the model is currently putting on. It gets VERY interesting. The kids in the audience have to raise their hand and GUESS what they are currently putting on in English.
Finally, the group drops the curtain and the model does a little stroll on the cat walk displaying all the great wonderful clothes his/her opposing group has brought. :)
So much fun!!! And tons of engagement!
Here is a pic of one of my models sporting his attire that was chosen for him by a bunch of his gal pals!
Friday, October 31, 2014
Field Trips, Testing...and WHEN DO I TEACH!?!?
I'm sure by just reading the title of this post you are already saying "FOR REAL" or as the kids say "For Realz"...(okay, maybe they don't say that) but anyways...it seems like in our fast paced world and especially in the education industry..."It's always something." Testing, Makeups, Field Trips, Pulling kids out for RTI, Pep Rallies, Fire Drills, Tornado Drills, Earthquake Drills, Zombie Protection Practice (Guess, we haven't gotten there yet....just wait, it'll come)!
We ask ourselves constantly..."When do I teach?" I have been teaching for 5 years now and I can say within that 5 years there have been plenty times when my lessons was...."shot to H*!!" I look around at the 12 kids sitting in my classroom and they say "Can we just listen to music?" AHHHH! What do I do, what do I do? Any true good teacher understands a day wasted of no educational content, is well....a day wasted! We are already under so much pressure to get through the content and then THESE things happen...shoot me in my freakin' foot!
I am here today to share with you some of my "Emergency Activities" for when things like this happen! I learned my first year of teaching when I looked at the remaining half my class and I heard the ever-so-popular "Are we going to do anything in here today?" I knew I had to prepare for these days. FROM THE BEGINNING, you have to preach and teach to your kids that EVERYDAY will be valued and YES, you will be learning and doing SOMETHING today!
So here it is my Top 5 "Get Your Crap In Gear, Your Butt Is Doing SOMETHING Today" Activities... :)
1. Circle Conjugation Game: Get the kids in a circle (they can sit down or stand up), put infinitives on the board, and make them go around and conjugate in order (yo, tu, el, ella, etc.)---I want to apologize for the no accents. Spanish teachers are clinching their teeth together after seeing that! When it comes your turn, you don't know the conjugation, big fat buzzer---you're out. It will come down to two kids going back and forth. IT CAN GET INTENSE! You can also do this with counting or category vocabulary sets!!! :)
2. El Cuerpo: This takes a little pre-planning. Take thick paper (cardstock is the best) and put two body parts on each card. You'll need about 10 to 12 cards. Ask for two volunteers to come to the front. Whatever card you pull out of the basket is what two body parts they have to touch together. BE CAREFUL AMIGOS! I usually say 2 guys or 2 girls because it will get physical....but funny!
3. Youtube Vids on Hand: Take time to develop an emergency youtube CULTURAL/EDUCATIONAL video list...of course they will ask you can we watch "Ridiculousness" or something totally non-content...just say no!
4. Conjugation Board Race: Two teams of 5 or 6 (vosotros)...so 10 or 12 kids. Have them face each other. Ones at the top of line holds a white board on each team. Say an infinitive, and they have to conjugate and pass until the last dude or dudette has conjugated. Whoever is the fastest...wins!
5. Nerf Ball Goal Review: I keep a nerf goal in my room for emergencies like these. Days of chaos or schedule change...conduct a 2 or however many teams review game. Give each team a point for answering and an additional point for making the shot. If they steal, they can take away OTHERS points!
So these are just scratching the surface BUT...it may save you from a day of chaos, schedule modification, and lesson melt-down.
Enjoy & Steal!!!
God Bless,
Brittany B,
Happy Dia de Los Muertos
So tomorrow "officially" starts Day of the Dead but since it's over the weekend...why not have some fun with the kids TODAY (since it is also Halloween)!!!
The kids brought in food, we built some fake altars, we are watching some you tube videos over La Llorona, La calavera Catrina, La isla de las munecas, and I am showing the kids some videos/pictures of when I visited the Mummy Museum in Mexico.
We have been watching lots of videos over el dia the past month so they have practically seen them all. LOL
Anyways, today is a class day celebrating and learning how the hispanic cultural deals with death, celebration of life, and just overall culture. I think they have learned we are VERY similar and the curiosity of life after death is a universal concern/interest for ALL cultures!
I love this day! It's one of my favorite holidays (American and Mexican) and I'm so blessed to celebrate it with my kiddos!
Here is a pic of my annual tradition "Dead Makeup"
I always have such a hard time being "dead"/"scary"/"serious"...so here is a pic of me smiling. Yes, I kind of look weird and you can laugh!
The kids brought in food, we built some fake altars, we are watching some you tube videos over La Llorona, La calavera Catrina, La isla de las munecas, and I am showing the kids some videos/pictures of when I visited the Mummy Museum in Mexico.
We have been watching lots of videos over el dia the past month so they have practically seen them all. LOL
Anyways, today is a class day celebrating and learning how the hispanic cultural deals with death, celebration of life, and just overall culture. I think they have learned we are VERY similar and the curiosity of life after death is a universal concern/interest for ALL cultures!
I love this day! It's one of my favorite holidays (American and Mexican) and I'm so blessed to celebrate it with my kiddos!
Here is a pic of my annual tradition "Dead Makeup"
I always have such a hard time being "dead"/"scary"/"serious"...so here is a pic of me smiling. Yes, I kind of look weird and you can laugh!
Everyone have a safe and festive holiday whether you're celebrating Halloween, Day of the Dead, or both.
God Bless,
Britttany B.
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Breaking the "Packet" Stereotype
So I remember being a student in high school and the teacher would slap a big packet in front of us and we would moan and cry and she would wobble back to her desk. (Not my Spanish teacher though, but other classes). I remember not comprehending any of that packet because we were not made to be engaged with the packet. We were just suppose to sit there like model students and complete the packet. It was pointless and as a student, I learned to hate packets.
I promised myself when becoming a teacher I would never give ANY worksheets or packets and I would always be engaging. It was until recently I heard a few of my really "good kids" say "We never really do simple written tasks that could help us learn it better and practice." I was taken back...Wait, you WANT that work? I was so surprised...I went back to these two same girls and asked them. After having a little conversation I found out that students actually like this work as long as it's given in moderation and they are asked to be engaged.
I then went back into work mode to make sure I could offer kids written and fun activities and practices. I also had some really good kids say "I would like some more work to work on at home." Do what now?!
I decided you know what...I am going to prepare a huge activity packet jam-packed with activities, practices, written opportunities and it will all be together and I won't have to worry about giving out a bunch of different papers and copies. Shew, having it all together was SO much easier!
So this is what I did exactly! The kids LOVE it! My biggest challenge is keeping them from flying ahead so lesson learned: I will attach "EXTRA CREDIT" pages within my next packet for all my little over-achievers to do.
We have done the following activities with working with the packet: Partner Rally, Pass & Write, Stand up-Hand up-Pair up, All Class Together where we try it and check it, Individual work (quiet time), we used it in a class game (they LOVED that day), attached homework, and even study hall work!
Now that I have been convinced, I will create a packet with EVERY concept I teach. The kids are REALLY getting their "Ser Verb" I attach different grading criteria to each page and it's a great practice.
If you want to do the same, you can always create your own packet using the same idea. My "All About the Ser Verb" packet is available at:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/All-About-the-Ser-Verb-Packet-1510959
Thanks & God Bless,
Brittany B.
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