The Project of All Projects! Putting It All Together in Intro to Spanish

Instead of a short lesson that uses video, I wanted to share a final project that I have used in my Intro to Spanish class (LWS AD) for quite a few years with some great success.  Please feel free to use any ideas and provide feedback to help me improve as well.  Enjoy!

Objective: To produce a commercial in Spanish that incorporates the many grammar

concepts and vocabulary used within the course.

Expectations: Listening 1,2; Reading 1, 2; Writing 1,2; Speaking 1, 2 (Since the expectations are few, this project fulfills all overall expectations for the course)

Assessment: The rubric is attached.

Modifications/Accommodations: Time, extra support from me, lesser variety of vocabulary, more time to complete the project, etc. could be used to accommodate a student.

Wrap-up: Students provide a peer feedback sheet that outlines the 2 things that were done well and 2 things that could be improved.  I provide extra feedback on the rubric and ask students to comment anonymously on the project and what can be improved.

Here is a student example that achieved a perfect score.  Even though you may not speak Spanish, the planning, communication, and execution of the video are evident for all to enjoy. 

Flipped For Spanish: Supporting Spanish Language At Home

Although I have very limited experience in the Spanish Bilingual Program here in Calgary, I have been discussing the pros and cons of the program with other teachers.  According to the Board, the Spanish Bilingual Program is the only program that is continuously growing.  More and more parents are choosing to put their child in this program, and from what I have heard, many parents are quite supportive when it comes to reinforcing this new language at home.  That being said, there are still many parents who are very busy and unfortunately, do not have much time to sit down with their children every night to help them with homework.  This is why I think having a flipped classroom could be a big obstacle.

What I have learned through the years is that there will always be students who do not do their homework, with or without the proper resources and support at home.  This is especially true with high school students.  While I understand that parents are trying to relate to their teen and give him/her some independence, some teens still need some more guidance than others.  Another aspect I have been reflecting on is the usage of a flipped lesson with Applied students.  In my experience so many Applied students do not want to do homework, and therefore, I have changed many lessons and projects so that they can be completed in class.  Not only am I there to assist them when they need help, but it is also a way for me to monitor their progress and ensure that the work is theirs and plagiarism is not an issue.

However, if I were to employ a flipped lesson, I think that this one would be beneficial and a great start.  After results and reflection, I would decide if this is something to continue with or maybe try with another class/topic in the future.

A Lesson To Parents

Dear Parent/Guardian,

As we move into a new year of the Spanish Bilingual Program, continued use and practice of Spanish at home is essential in helping your child improve his/her language skills.  As always, your support and encouragement at home is extremely important when it comes to motivating our children to do their best.

One of the most important grammar concepts we will learn this year is learning how to use the verbs ser and estar (the verbs for to be) properly in Spanish.  In order to do this, students will be watching an informational video on the verbs and then completing some online exercises, which need to be completed by this Monday.  The results will be sent to me, where I can monitor progress and see where students need the most help.  It is from these results that I can plan lessons that will help our children become Spanish superstars!

If you do not understand Spanish, do not worry!  Your support in helping your child watch the video and complete the exercises is imperative to his/her growth at home.  Together we can help our children succeed in this special program.

Below, you will find the following links to the work that needs to be completed.  You can also find the links in D2L, which your child will know how to access.  If the internet is not available at home, it is possible for your child to complete the work at school during lunch or after school, or even at your local public library.  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

Thank you for your ongoing help and support,

Ms. Blanchette

Links:  Verb Video: http://tinyurl.com/oxxtlj5

Online practice: http://tinyurl.com/okwae

Lights! Camera! Action!

Creating a green screen in a classroom is a fantastic idea that will allow students to demonstrate their learning in a creative and interactive way.  It is not that difficult to create when you have the right resources and plenty of help on the internet.

Step 1: Create a green screen.  If you are lucky enough to have a Smart board in your room, it can be as easy as changing the background colour to green.  However, if you are a little more limited, consider painting a bulletin board green (if you plan on using this often) or even get a green plastic table cloth from the dollar store to attach instead.

Step 2: Pick an app.  Depending on your technology, there are plenty of apps out there that will help get the job done.  Do Ink is supported by Scholastic and a cool how-to video but costs $2.99.  Doing a little research will allow you to choose which app is best for you.

Step 3: Raid the Tickle Trunk.  Ask students to bring in props that they could possibly donate to your Tickle Trunk, go to the dollar store for cheap finds, or ask a drama teacher in your school if you can borrow some props.

Step 4: Choose a theme.  Having a theme in place will help students decide which photos and backgrounds they would like to use in their video.

Step 5: Get some awesome kids!  Allow students to plan and work together to express creativity and a great demonstration of learning. 

Today’s Photos Are A Different “Reality”

I am an amateur photographer and I have spent countless hours learning about photography and how to edit.  The tools to edit photos are increasing everyday and more and more photos are no longer a snapshot of reality, but the photographer’s vision instead.  

The key to students and photography is teaching them how to take pictures and to not always focus on the selfies.  I have been amazed by what students capture because their view of the world is different than an adult's.  Allowing them to be creative and express their point of view through photography is an awesome thing. 

Here I have broken down some of the tools that are widely used for image manipulation and included my own photography. 

Video Tools for Students AND Teachers

Here are some of the video sites I have discovered.  While some are for students, I also thought it was important to incorporate some resources for teachers and help our learning as well.

	http://ed.ted.com/ Many topics; short clips; well animated
	http://discoverykids.com/ Variety of topics; science based; engaging videos for students
	http://bigthink.com/ Many topics; intended mostly for adults

Some Thoughts On Audio

Here is my debut on audio and what I think about the resource in the classroom.  Please feel free to give me any comments or feedback.  Gracias!

Click here for the audio.

An Audio Activity - Sounds of Latin America

One of the things that makes Spanish music so distinct is the use of different instruments in the various genres of music.  Using pictures (whether cut out for groups or on a smart board) and various audio clips, allow students to match up the instrument to the sound it makes.  Since many of these instruments will be new to them, they are going to have to guess and work together to figure out which instrument goes with each sound.  Take up together as a class and see how well each group did.

Instrument	Picture	Sound
panpipes		http://www.musicme.com/Pan-Pipes/videos/El-Condor-Pasa---Pan-Pipes-Peru-(Country)-304661356D576E56676134.html

The Newest Editions to My Toolbox

Embracing the West: Learning Opportunities at the Calgary Stampede

Moving to Calgary cannot be complete until one finally goes to the annual Calgary Stampede.  A cherished tradition for more than 100 years, the Stampede is a cherished and integral part of this city’s culture and history.  Not only was I excited to don my cowboy hat and partake in the festivities, but I was also very interested to see the learning opportunities that the Stampede provided.  How can I connect cowboy heritage to, say, Argentine gauchos?  What are the differences in agriculture and how do they impact a society?  Resources can be found at The Calgary Stampede: Education which will help me create a deeper connection to our community and abroad.

Teachers Pay Teachers: Finding Resources in English and Spanish

Since I still have not been told which grade I will teach in September (it will be between gr. 4-6), I need to find some resources that can be used across the junior grades.  Also, since there are not many stores that sell Spanish resources and classroom aids, I can use this site to search for materials from the US but can be printed here.  I plan on looking for posters, videos, worksheets, and extension exercises that can be used to support the students’ learning in Spanish and support the teachers who have created the resources.

Creating A Space For Learning

Pinterest is quickly becoming a hub of ideas for me and what I can do in the classroom.  As a high school teacher, I know what those classrooms look like, but what makes an effective junior classroom?  How can I organize it for better learning?  How do I display topics and students’ work to grab attention but not be distracting?  Since the school will provide some resources, how do I organize them and use them to the best advantage?  This website allows me to see what experienced junior teachers have used in their classrooms and give me some inspiration to use their ideas in combination with my own.

Delicious - A New Tool To Discover

Where has this tool been? I have been looking for something like this and I didn’t know something like this was around (that being said, I don’t have any other tool for this topic).  I would definitely use this as a way to compile a bunch of websites for PD and ones that I could share with my fellow teachers (and vice verse).  In terms of classroom applications, I could create a bundle for students that reflect a certain topic that we’re studying or even give them something interesting to read and discuss about.  They in turn could create bundles that they could share with classmates and me and really challenge them to find meaningful and diverse resources online.  As for alternatives, I can think of Pinterest and Dragdis.  These seem to be much more visual, which may be easier for people who favour that kind of learning.

This Is Me On the Fence: Google Apps vs Microsoft 365

I sit here with a smile on my face as I think back to the numerous times when my high school students in the Caribbean would be flabbergasted when they discovered that I was knowledgeable about many of the things going on in the “teen” world.  “You have Facebook???” or “You have an Ipod???” they would ask me and I would remind them that I may be living on a rock, but I certainly don’t live under one.  

With this course, and certainly this topic of Google Apps vs Microsoft 365, I have come to realize that while I had been living on a rock for some time, technologically speaking, I had also been living under it.  After all, I didn’t even know Google Docs existed until a few months ago.  Yes, I admit it, and yes, I am giving myself a look of haughty derision.

After some research, I came across an article that really gets down to the small, yet potentially significant differences between these two online giants.  Derrick Wlodarz goes on to pick apart these differences with the focus of how they function for businesses, and after being involved with Google for some time, he ultimately made the switch to 365.  Even though he does not talk about the function of these programs in the classroom, it does raise the bigger question for me as a teacher: If we are to prepare students to be successful in the real world, then which programs/skills do we need to reinforce?

I believe the answer could be to use both.  While I am a newbie and exploring this whole Google thing, I do know that I am good at using Office (albeit, I haven’t used the online version yet).  After discussing the topic with  my brother (26, very tech savvy, just starting his own business) it really comes down to familiarity.  We agree that after so many years of using Office, and learning how to use it well, the money used to pay for a subscription is less valuable than all the time spent learning new programs.

Therefore, why not give students access to both?  At school they have chances to use both so why not learn the basics of them for which ever they may have to use in the future?  Also, think about those students who may not have access to computers on a regular basis.  Giving them the chance to develop skills online AND offline (Microsoft Office) will be in their best interests as they move into the business world.

Did You Know?

As a new teacher in Alberta, and having my training and education in Ontario, I have my work cut out for me in terms of learning a new curriculum.  Also, I am going to teach the Spanish Bilingual program, which is more info that needs to be learned.  I think these sites are going to be very useful.

1. Alberta Education
   Already I have discovered the documents for my program of study, how to integrate languages into the classroom across the curriculum and sites that parents can use to answer some of their questions about Alberta Education.
   
   
2. Learn Alberta 
   This website offers government approved lesson plans, videos, resources, assessment and evaluation, and more that I can access.  One road block I have come across already is that I cannot access some of the info right now; I have to have a code provided to me by the school board.  Since I am new to the board, I do not have access to this just yet.  However, since this program is going to require a lot of new learning on my part, I think these resources (especially planning activities and assessment and evaluations will be very helpful and give me some great examples).
    
3. Alberta Education Literacy    
   This one gives a link to supporting literacy and numeracy, especially in a digital world.  Definitely something to read and think of how to integrate into instruction.
   
   
4. Calgary Catholic School District
   D2L, the platform that is supported by the board.  I have not used this program before and definitely training and support is going to be necessary.  This is the program the board wants us to use to stay connected to students and parents.

Blended Learning, Empowering Students

Through research and this course, I have come to learn that the term “blended learning” is currently referring to the mixture of online learning with teacher interaction that helps students become more engaged and responsible for their own learning.  However, here in Calgary, blended learning is also the term we use to blend two languages together when students are in an immersion program.  I am a part of the Spanish bilingual program, which is huge here in Calgary, and one of my examples will include how to help children learn another language. 

Primary - One of the strategies that the schools here have adopted for the primary grades is a process called “Daily 5”.  For those of you who do not know about this, the Daily 5 gives students 5 rotations to go through in order to improve their literacy skills.  One of the options is guided reading on the laptops, which is awesome.  For those students who need more attention when it comes to reading, these programs help them listen to, see and focus on words that they have difficulty with.  Since all students have an opportunity to use the computer for reading, it helps keep equality amongst the students.  This is great for students with special needs, ELL learners and children with learning disabilities.

Daily 5 









Junior - National Geographic Kids for extended learning of science and culture is amazing.  I have seen students buddy up and explore different topics using this website.  As partners, they get to share in the experience and see/learn about the topics that also interest other students.  One activity that could be included is having students take their learning about a certain animal, plant, etc. and present what they have learned to other students in the class.  Also, students may write a response, create a mini-bulletin board (even virtually), or another creative activity to showcase their learning for others.  How a student communicates their learning afterwards is a great way to promote differentiated learning and skills amongst students who struggle. 

                                                                  National Geographic Kids 





Intermediate - Integrating Spanish and culture throughout the curriculum can be difficult if students do not continue to work on the fundamentals of the language.  In this case, I have used the app Duolingo.  With this app, students take an initial assessment of skills and the app places them at the appropriate level.  Students use the app at their own pace, covering the 4 strands of language learning, and even get feedback on the particular lessons or concepts that they need to continue to work on.  Once the student has passed the level, they can move on or continue to work on that concept again.  The app allows students to build on their own understanding of the language by using words and phrases that have real world applications.  This program can also be used with the intermediate grades to give them a head start.  During Spanish Language Arts and also as an “after work is done” is a great time to use this.  If they need further assistance with particular grammar concepts, then I am able to help them.  

 Duolingo

 

Here Comes the 21st Century

For this reflection, I thought about my experiences and thoughts but decided that I wanted something more.  So I searched around and I found this very interesting article on where education technology could be heading in the next five years, and that really got me thinking.

It seems that the more I think about and read others’ thoughts, the more I see that we truly are becoming the facilitators of learning and that traditional methods of delivery are being challenged.  In order to stay current and be a part of this shift of deeper learning and integration of educational technology, we need more professional development.  

Since the technology is continuously changing, a great place to start is teacher’s college.  My mother recalls with humour a lesson on how to use the overhead.  Oh, that distance ancestor of the smart board.  I never got such lesson; in fact, I didn’t get a lesson on technology at all in teacher’s college.  Why is that?  Should not all new teachers have an introduction to the tools that are being used in modern classrooms and can help them become better teachers?  Yes, yes, YES!  

And the learning cannot stop there!  School boards, school learning groups, professional development seminars, all these things are vital to keeping up with not just education technology, but also how it affects and engages learning.  Computers and electronic devices have always been a part of our students’ lives, unlike me, who got my first computer at 17 when I was getting ready to go to university.  We have to learn with students and be prepared to help them use technology responsibly and in ways that will support their learning and skills for the future.  Technology is not going anywhere and sound pedagogy behind the technology is needed.  It is not so much about imparting all of our wisdom on the young, but rather building our wisdom together in this new era of learning. 

What Education Technology Could Look Like Over The Next Five Years

Learning to Share Properly

I think this is a great resource for teachers.  As and English teacher, I know the value of teaching students to respect and give credit to those who have done the research and writing.  This can be connected to teaching about plagiarism and how they can even have their own work published.

Standards of Practice

    As I sit here and contemplate the Standards of Practice, I can’t help but think about their simplicity, that they are almost a “no-brainer” to me.  Are these five principles not what everyone entering into the profession wants to embody?  

    Before entering teacher’s college, I did not know that the OCT had laid these out in writing.  However, I did know that these principles existed through teachers that lead by example.  I am extremely lucky that my mother (high school English) and my two aunts (J/K and Gr. 3) have shown me what hard-working, interactive and compassionate teachers are all about.  I can remember my mom coming home, crying, because she felt so much concern for a student that was in the hospital due to anorexia.  I have seen in my aunts’ classrooms new resources for students that struggle, or a “quiet area” for the child with autism, or even with how much attention they listen to all the little stories that the students share with them.  This is how I came to know that to be a teacher is to have a strong set of values, where care and learning take centre stage.

    It was partly through these experiences that I knew that I wanted to be a part of this.  That I wanted to learn how to help children become successful learners too.  Afterall, the whole purpose of being a teacher, in my opinion, is LEARNING.  As stated in #1, we are in the classroom with the purpose of helping children learn, not just about subject matter but about the world, one another, and about themselves.  

    Despite a rapidly changing world, I do believe the standards still hold true to what we should be achieving as educators.  We are professionals, and as such, how we conduct ourselves in terms of education should always be focused on “professionalism”.  However, there seems to be varying degrees as to what “professionalism” means to each person.  I have seen teachers looked down upon because they decided to join students in a game of dodgeball.  Is that really unprofessional?  Is going to a student’s art show because you are proud of their achievement unprofessional?  Personally, I do not think that these things are unprofessional, but rather support the ideas that we are part of their journies.

    I also think that these are the teachers (the ones willing to interact more with students) that are the most risk-taking.  These teachers are not afraid of trying new things and can be an example for other teachers who want to be more innovative.  There will always be other teachers who will criticize and want to keep things “traditional”, but as long as the professionalism is there, we need forward thinkers in the classroom.

    One last thing that I would like to reflect on is standard #1, that students always come first.  While I do believe that students are a priority, I have also seen times when giving a student what they want completely undermines the professional judgement of a teacher.  I personally have had this happen to me where a parent bullied a principal into making me take back my professional decision about a student’s plagiarized essay.  In this case, I was so upset that administration did not support me, since I did not think that letting a student get away with a fully plagiarized essay was what was in the best interest of the student.  Should the “best interest of the student” always overrule the authority and respect for the teacher?  I think that while the student is very important, so are we.  The standards are challenged by some, however, I firmly believe in these practices and values and will continue to make them a part of my daily life.

 

Dear Parents

Dear Parent/Guardian,

It is with great enthusiasm that I welcome you and your child to Gr. 5!  This year we will be embarking on a journey that will bring new ideas and ways of learning to the classroom.

As you know, technology and social media have become an integral part of society and students must learn how to use these tools in a safe and appropriate manner.  This year we will be incorporating more social media (blogs, Google apps, Twitter, etc.) in order to allow children the opportunity to extend their learning and improve their technological skills in the classroom.  

The safety of our children is always a priority and your continued support and guidance at home when it comes to online activity and safety is important.  Together we can help students become effective and safe learners in the online world.

You may stay up-to-date on what is happening in the classroom by visiting my site at ________________________.  If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

I look forward to working with you and your child this year!

          Sincerely,

          Miss Tiffany Blanchette

 

Safety and Social Media

Reflection #3 - Safe Use of Technology in the Classroom

The modern, developing classroom has placed a continuing emphasis on the safety of students in the classroom.  We do our best to keep our children safe while they are in our care, but the reality is that they are also at risk when they leave school.  Unfortunately, social media provides a new outlet that can expose our children to cyberbullying, predators, and other unsafe content on the web.  We must try to teach them, first and foremost, to protect themselves during these naive and impressionable years.

There is always so much to teach in the curriculum, but I believe that it is important to have a discussion and an activity early in the year to establish what is acceptable when it comes to social media.  Asking kids to express what they believe to be inappropriate, what will be acceptable in our classroom as well as meeting the standards of the board, and what will be done when someone violates the code, is an important way to get students thinking and expressing their opinion on this important topic.  One strategy could be an anonymous box, where students can share their worries about inappropriate use of social media or even if they feel bullied or threatened online.

In one classroom, I saw a teacher ask students to explore the school and take photos of the various joints (hinges, glue, etc.) that they found and share them with the class.  Creating a class platform where students can share their achievements, questions, photos or thoughts can be an interesting way for students to interact and learn a little more about one another and their interests.  Also, as teachers, we should be integrating the use of social media into some of our lessons in order to show and model the appropriate use of these mediums (albeit, if the school board allows).  

Lastly, things like Twitter or even Instagram could be used as a way to get feedback about lessons and activities.  For example, if students are role playing, working on a great piece of art or participating in a particular experiment, they can provide pictures and comments about what they enjoyed most about that particular topic.  I think this can be very useful for us as teachers to see what students enjoy and how they learn.  Sometimes it is very difficult for students to tell us about these things, so maybe this will provide them with an easier way to express their opinion.

These tools are new to me, and coming from a school where cell phones were not allowed in the classroom, have provided me with a new learning opportunity.  However, I do believe that there has to be times when using social media is ok in the classroom and times when we will just put the tech away and focus on other skills and ways of learning.  Providing students with structure but an ability to use these mediums in a safe and expressive manner are key to helping them learn about online safety and appropriate use in various situations.

A Little Humour

 



The 21st Century Teacher

From the first day of Kindergarten to the last day of OAC (Gr. 13 for all you young ones out there), I can remember every teacher that taught me.  Some of them had very positive influences on me, others some negative ones, but one thing was quite constant: there was always a clear separation between the teacher at the front of the class and the students in their desks.  In my case, this division was something to be respected, and while many teachers did not make a big effort to get to know me as an “individual”, I never really felt like my teachers didn’t care about me.

Today, I believe there is a much bigger focus on teachers being the “helpers” of learning, and not just an adult that stands in front of a group of kids telling them what to learn.  In the ten years of my career so far, I have seen, and been a part of, getting “down to students’ levels” and interacting with them like never before.  We are encouraged to take part in activities in the classroom, in activities outside of the classroom, and to really get to know students and do everything we can to help them succeed.  While I believe this closer interaction between student and teacher has brought us a lot of knowledge in terms of how children learn, I also believe that this has put a huge pressure on us as educators.

Although I’m sure that the pressures of teaching have always been there, I have seen a rapid shift concerning who is responsible for a child’s learning.  I have come to realize that I am very lucky to have supportive parents, but also ones that made me work hard and be responsible for my actions in life.  My parents did not have a lot of time to sit down with me and do my homework, but they did instill in me the understanding that I am mostly responsible for my learning and attitude towards school.  Yes, my teachers had a part to play because they were the ones with the knowledge, but I had to find ways to make it work and seek help from those teachers when I did not understand something.  However, nowadays, I have seen an increased pressure to be exciting, engaging and dynamic in the classroom, but also an increase in blame when students don’t succeed besides these efforts.

Why does the responsibility of a child’s learning and development fall so heavily upon us?  Yes, we do have an enormous influence, but so do parents.  I would even argue, that parents have the greater influence.  And what about the responsibility of the child?  Should we not be teaching them, as a society, to take responsibility for their actions and to not place blame on others instead?  I recent interviews I have been asked the question: “Who is responsible for a child’s learning?”.  

The answer is ALL OF US.  

The 21st century teacher may be more dynamic, more trained and skilled in instructional strategies and delivery, fostering inquiry-based lessons, and getting to know students on a more personal level, but that does not mean that we can create student success alone.  We must be a team, to respect and support one another, have the best interest of children in mind, but teach them to be accountable for their actions and learn to respect themselves and those around them.  As I approach having my own classroom again in September, I have made it a goal to communicate well with the parents of my students that I need their help and support, and along with making children take an active part in their learning, we can grow student success together.