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Spanish Classroom Speaking, Listening & Writing Activities - Find Someone Who! One of my favorite activities to do in Spanish class that gets students out of their seats and conversing with their classmates, is a good ol’ Find Someone Who activity. After talking with fellow colleagues about what this looks like in their classes, (even math teachers have done this activity!) I realized there’s many different variations of what this can look like depending on the subject, time of year, and grade level. The most common time of year my colleagues were saying they use these activities is at the start of the school year , as an ice breaker activity. That’s definitely a great time to do an activity like this!  However, I’ve used this activity not just as a simple icebreaker activity, but with proper scaffolding & extension activities, it’s a great way to incorporate all 4 modes of communication!  Here’s my general multi-day lesson plan when it comes to using a Find Someone ...

Spanish Back to School Ice Breaker Activity - Comecocos (Fortune Tellers)   How to Use Comecocos (Fortune Tellers) as an Ice Breaker Activity for Spanish Class One of my students’ favorite activities we’ve done at the start of a new school year is making Comecocos! It’s a great community building activity that gets students out of their seats, and talking to one another. Comecocos are the fortune teller origami crafts you may remember making in elementary school. Sometimes they’re referred to as “Cootie Catchers” too! I use a template that has “Question Ideas” for students to create their own 8 questions. I typically do this activity with my Spanish 2, 3 and 4 classes, because they have prior knowledge of Spanish, yet the questions can be quite basic - a perfect way to start the year! My basic lesson plan is as follows: Each student will need a Comecocos template . They will write in 8 questions, either using the list for inspiration, or creating their own. Once they’re done writ...

  Tips for New and Veteran Teachers Starting at a New School Heading Back to School as a teacher is bittersweet - we’re sad to say goodbye to summer, but genuinely excited to meet back up with coworkers and welcome new students. But it’s also very overwhelming when you’re starting at a new school.  Whether it’s your first year teaching, or you’re a veteran teacher starting at a new school, those “welcome PD days” can be information overload, and you’re also just anxious to be working on your classroom & getting your lesson plans ready for the first week.  I’ve compiled a list of tips sorted by category:  Click on whichever applies to you! Tips for Teaching at a New School as a Department of 2 or more! Tips for Teaching at a New School as a Department of One!

  Tips for Teaching at a New School as a Department of 2 or More! These tips are if you are starting at a new school consisting of 2 or more teachers that teach the same subject as you.  Whether you are a new teacher, or a veteran teacher, these tips will apply to you! If you are starting at a new school where you will be the only teacher teaching your subject, then check out my blog post on Teaching at a New School as a Department of One! Tips for Teaching at a New School as a Department of 2 or More! Prioritize building a good relationship with all students on Day 1.  I’ve been the “new” teacher for a district 3 times. There will always be comparisons to whoever was the teacher before you.  Even though getting to know every student within a week can be daunting, it can be done!  TIP: Print those rosters with their faces, and study them each night!  TIP: Use name tags for the first week! TIP: Play a name game in Spanish the first day or two! TIP: Hand out...