It has been great having all of this free time in July for resting and relaxing. I have noticed lately, however, that many of my colleagues are already gearing up for the next academic year. Here are some links that might be of interest as you also are getting yourselves psyched for 2017-18.
This is definitely a “Don’t Miss it” article by Meredith White posted at Path to Proficiency. It is entitled Proficiency Has Made Me a Better Teacher. I think all of the participants in the MaFLA Proficiency Academy can attest to this.
Homework Choices is an amazing blogpost with so many ideas at PBL in the TL. I plan to explore the ideas and this is definitely something I want to do this year.
How about Using Instagram in your classroom? I love the ideas that were offered in Authentic Instagrams at Spanishplans.org.
Creating a Classroom Space that Maximizes Language Learning from Mundo de Pepita!
Brain Breaks for the World Language Classroom by The Comprehensible Classroom. In this blogpost, Martina Bex talks about the importance of these breaks from learning and she even has a Brain Breaks document which you can download for free!
Five Things to Do on the First Day of Class from Faculty Focus Higher Ed Teaching Strategies from Magna Publications
Engaging Ideas for Movie Talks, Stories and Novels from the Amazing @sonrisadelcampo. This has some great and creative ideas for all languages.
WHAT’S THE PASSWORD? by Bryce Hedstrom is a fascinating blogpost about having the students use a password to enter the class. I love the idea that it creates camaerderie, builds strong community and engages the students. I just might have to try it!! I probably will!
Are you already getting that syllabus created? Check out this WORLD LANGUAGE SYLLABUS FOR PROFICIENCY by Creative Language Classroom. You can even download the templates for free!
FIND YOUR BLOB: A QUICK, FUN FL SPEAKING ACTIVITY by Spanish Mama. Although the examples are in Spanish, you could do this activity with any language. Let us know if you adapt it to your language.
GREET THEM AT THE DOOR by Creative Language Classroom offers free greeting signs. Don’t miss out on this. They are available in French and Spanish!
Here are some specific links for Spanish.
Looking for some website in Spanish for children? Then be sure to visit Best Free Spanish Websites for Kids from Spanish Playground.
Activities for the First Days of School in Elementary Spanish Classes from Mundo de Pepita.
Having the students greet and meet each other is always part of the beginning routines so be sure to check out the Spanish Meet and Greet Chart for Practice from Spanish for You.
1st Day of Spanish 2 & 3 Plans (without a syllabus) at Mis Clases Locas! There are some great ideas here. I particularly love her idea of having a Photo Booth set up for students to take pictures! What fun! HEY, those of you who do not teach Spanish can also use this idea!
Do you like to incorporate technology into your classes? Then check out Geekie Teacher and the blogpost on QR Codes in the Spanish Classroom. The idea here could be used with any language!
Here is one for you German Teachers!
10 Great Apps for German Language Learners and Teachers at Language Learning Base.
