{ 30 Tips & Tricks for a Well-managed World Language Classroom Erin Flesch Kiley Ramirez Spanish Teachers Monona Grove High School
Teachers helping students (the little things)
Help students get organized
Have a space for late / absent work Binders for handouts and extra copies Late work/absent turn-in folders
Reference posters around classroom
Quick daily activities *create a routine to start each class
Expression of the Day Related to current content Students create a sentence & share out Incorporate them into classroom work Hang up expressions around room
Question of the Day Related to current content Students create answer & share out (participation points) Sabías que—cultural fact
Daily pronunciation practice Choose a letter or letter combination Vocabulary quizzes include pronunciation section Vocab flashcard practice
¡OJO! Common student mistakes
Positive behavior / praise
“ Billetes ” Students earn one when they use the language unexpectedly in the hallway convo with a friend or teacher outside of class attempting to say something challenging (ie: describe an event) Goes toward extra credit participation grade Cannot ask for one, have to be “caught” doing something great!
Monona Grove Silver Eagles S.O.A.R. (Encourage positive (Encourage positivebehavior--PBIS) Post expectations in the room Post expectations in the room S.O.A.R. tickets S.O.A.R. tickets
S.O.A.R. in World Languages Give a copy to students Teach and practice expectations Students are expected to know them
Praise Words & Phrases Post them for yourself as a reminder to vary your vocabulary!
With someone near you, answer the following: Do you do anything similar in your classroom? What is something that you think you might want to incorporate/try? Your thoughts so far…
Curriculum content
Resource Packet Packet of important handouts that students should refer to all year.
Resource Packet
Community Connections OBJECTIVE: Students use and find the language beyond the classroom Connects culture and the community to the classroom Each level has a different grid of options Due once per quarter Students share what they learned / did with each other **Create a book / movie list as alternative options. Spanish 4 example below:
Writing resources
Extra tips & tricks for the teacher
Around the classroom Desk placement – no traditional “front of the room” Name cards (notecards) – create partners/groups, cold calling Student cultural projects on wall
Feedback: two ways Teacher Students Student reflections on presentational tasks Ask students: How do you feel about your progress? What was easy/challenging? Give the teacher a suggestion for next year. Give future students a suggestion for next year.
Students self assess daily Students self assess daily Teacher can check in with each student quickly and privately Teacher can check in with each student quickly and privately homework self evaluation
Quizzes Create practice quizzes 5% - 10% of quiz points are “old material” Put sample questions of old material on practice quiz After students finish a quiz: Offer reading material Children’s Books Qué tal magazines People en español magazines
Peer tutors Students get extra help and do not always have to arrange time with the teacher Students get extra help and do not always have to arrange time with the teacher Upper level students tutor lower level students: before/after school, during study hall Upper level students tutor lower level students: before/after school, during study hall Teachers should assist students in finding a tutor Teachers should assist students in finding a tutor Let parents know this is an option! Let parents know this is an option! Some students use the time to count for volunteer hours Some students use the time to count for volunteer hours
Show during class Show during class Do a webquest Do a webquest Have students practice with links during class Have students practice with links during class Erin’s website: Erin’s website: Class website