Fun Resource for Middle School Foreign Language

As much as I strive to be a firm grammarian with my eighth grade Onsies, there is always room for FUN!  

I don't recall exactly how I happened upon this resource, but, in the short time since I downloaded it, I have been able to infuse my classes with speaking, listening, and hands-on activities which not only promote active use of the target language, but which are also high-interest and very engaging.

Check it out!

Estévanico

Here is a story for Black History Month you may be interested in sharing with your students.

Enjoy, and, Feliz Mes de Historia Africana-americana.

Major Picasso Retrospective Coming to the Met

In April 2010, the Metropolitan Museum of Art will host a major retrospective of Pablo Picasso's work.  Click here for more information.

What's Most Important?

Learning how to learn is life's most important skill.  

T. Buzan

The teachers at my place of employ have just finished writing midterm reports, and each time, the report of a particular student challenges me to reflect on what is most important for learning and for teaching, especially if the student in question is struggling.

A case in point: One of my Spanish Two students - aka the Twosies - turns in all of his homework, and performs reasonably well on quizzes and tests. However, he lacks initiative when working independently, is inclined to key his peers shoulder the brunt of the workload on small group, and doesn't retain what he learns.

Given that the retention issue is due to a learning disability, there may not be much in my power to remedy that. Still, perhaps through his learning skills teacher, the student can adopt strategies to improve memory. The capacity to retain, recall and apply what one has been taught is critical in foreign language learning. That said, repetition aids memory, and there are drill-type revision activities which help to strengthen his memory and recall. Flashcards for vocabulary and comjuguemos.com for verbs are two such activities.

As far as the lack of initiative, this is partly a home training issue, and partly a school training issue. For my part, asking the student what he has done to find the answer if he says he does not know/understand places the responsibility on him.

Group collaboration is a life skill as well as a school skill. Unfortunately, this is a student who has been let off the proverbial hook by his peers and teachers to not saddle up and do his share of the work. Short of literally standing over him, which is neither appropriate nor helpful, I am considering devising a self-check sheet for use during group work. The sheet would outline the things which one needs to do in order to be a productive and cobntributing member. It is also a personal accountability tool. The student and I would discuss the group work experience, and identify what went well, and what needs work.

So, what's most important? For me, it's being able to collaborate, learn idependently, and demonstrate what one knows and is able to do.

Dr. King from the Perspective of the Spanish-Speaking World

Here is a link which will take you to a variety of resources for discussing Dr. King in Spanish.

Enjoy the day!