It’s back to school time!
I cannot believe it!!! Am I thrilled with the idea? To be honest, not quite yet. But I’m not dreading it, either, so that’s a step in the right direction.
As I began focusing on ways to work smarter and not harder this year, I compiled a list to help keep me focused. Here is the beginning of that list.
Start the year off right
Check out this post for a complete lesson on how I am starting my levels 3 and 4 classes this year. We are jumping right in with Spanish and a cute little hook to start the wheels turning on why we need more than one language in our lives.
And while you are simplifying, you might want these proficiency-based learning targets.
I printed them and hung them up in my room. They are also added into my slides presentations so I don’t forget to share them with students. They are perfect for impressing admin! Someone walks in to do a quick walk-through, and I quickly point to my learning target and say, “Remember, this is our goal for the day.” Having them hanging around the room makes it so easy to include – especially if you forgot to mention the target until that very moment when admin walks in!
Pro tip!
By incorporating the proficiency-based learning targets into your slides
presentation, your slide deck BECOMES your lesson plan.
Then that lesson plan becomes naturally scaffolded
making YOU look like a genius to your admin!
Use Jamboard
My students and I enjoyed using Google’s free Jamboard last year. (Well, the students loved it as long as I didn’t overdo it!) I used it for SEL activities, games, and more. And if you haven’t already found Profesora Delgadillo’s blog, I highly encourage you to read up on how she uses Jamboard. She is a true master!
Teaching remotely
Here are some additional posts with lots of links that might be of use if you are once again teaching remotely, or if you find yourself back there at some point this year.
Master 1 new skill
I love to learn and I love to master a skill. But in order to make it manageable, because there are SO many amazing ideas out there, I make it my goal to master JUST one new skill each school year. When I am stressed and unable to focus, I bring my attention to this new skill. Last year, that was Nearpod (similar to Pear Deck and available as a Google Slides add-on). Of course, it started out free and then once I became hooked the more advanced features were locked down and required a subscription. Since I already had so many lessons, I decided to bite the bullet and pay for a subscription. I’m so happy I did! My students and I had a lot of fun playing with Nearpod last year. If you are thinking about learning a new digital skill, this Nearpod tutorial might help you out.
Nearpod lessons I’ve created:
- Muchacha by Gente de Zona and Becky G, and here
- The Present
- Apple’s Frankie’s Holiday
Side note:
If you are new to teaching with comprehensible input, maybe your new skill is storyasking. Or Movie Talk. Or Card Talk. Or Clip Chat. The point is in the mastery of one thing at a time. No one becomes a master overnight. Take time to enjoy the journey and get really good, one skill at a time.
Check back in throughout the year. I will be sharing what works and (painfully) what isn’t working. As I come up with new lessons, I’ll be sure to share here.
Happy teaching, friends!
