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Spanish Portfolios and VoiceThread Commenting [VoiceThread]
My latest template for student e-portfolios has been working pretty well this year. The students last semester definitely saw the value in it, and this semester's group seems pretty relieved at how...
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What's in a Seesaw (and What's Not?)
I'm not using Google Classroom quite as much as I did last year. Uploading videos and submitting shared work have been big hassles. Also scrolling through and finding previous assignments to add to...
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The Tyranny of Sick Days
My four-year-old must have thrown up fifteen times between 10:30PM and 3:30AM. Her daddy had her all cleaned up and her bed stripped by the time I came out of my Nyquil coma after the first round. You...
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Group Pinterest Homework and Lifelong Learning
Was there lifelong learning before Pinterest?Yes, of course, there was lifelong learning since Time Immemorial. But it took a special kind of dedication and commitment before pinning, didn't it? A...
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Grammar Error Collage
Correcting errors is not really a priority for me as a Spanish teacher or an English teacher anymore. Drawing attention to patterns of errors, though? That is my job.So I've found a colorful way to...
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IPA: Self-Improvement and Motivation
I went the semi-scripted route for this IPA: native speakers responding to familiar-ish questions crafted with my burgeoning intermediates in mind.Basically I wanted to see how they would do with...
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#SCOLT16 New Levels, No Limits
SCOLT halfway made up for missing ACTFL this year. I got to bask in the presence of various PLN amigos, new and old, and I got an infusion of good old-fashioned professional enthusiasm.Here are some...
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Language Festival Competition: Two Projects, One Plan
The problem I have had with the the Language Festival unit in the past is keeping it communication-based and in the target language.I mean, sure, we can win first place at a competition based...
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Inquiry-Based Learning: Teacher Homework
Participating in the Pinnacle Leaders program in my district means I have an excuse to meet with brilliant people near me at least once a month and talk educational turkey. It also means I have a set...
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Attack of the Translator: What is the debate REALLY about?
I thought we had an understanding.You can use the T-word or WordReference on practice assignments, as long as you put what you look up in bold (or CAPS if it's a Blogger comment or something that...
View Article#CSCTFL16 Less Is More: The Art of Making It Stick
Thank you to everyone who joined me--or tried to join me--this afternoon at my first Central States Conference! For those who couldn't make it (or who want to review), here are some resources,...
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#CSCTFL16 Takeaways - Why and How Language Learning is Vital for Everyone
You know, if you can't make it to ACTFL, CSCTFL is definitely a solid substitute. So many of the brightest minds in language education were there to talk with and learn from, that I almost couldn't...
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IPA: How to Win a Talent Show
An IPA can be an important part of the planning process for group PBL projects. Take for example our mission to keep our school's winning streak going at a nearby language competition. Students need to...
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El Trofeo: 3 Tips for Writing an Effective TPRS Story
My students were laughing out loud and retelling this story in detail almost immediately. I can cite details from the story at any time, even weeks later, and get a giggle out of more than one kiddo...
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Sra. Spanglish Tech Tips: Adobe Voice
What makes Adobe Voice so great is the one-press recording and the quick image search. Kids don't have to spend hours designing the perfect visual representation for their video--they pick one image...
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What a Time to Teach Languages! [CUE Blog]
I'm excited to have been asked to contribute a language teacher's perspective on technology for the CUE Blog (thanks for the referral, Sra. Rhodes!)Here's an excerpt:What a time to be alive! The whole...
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#LangCamp Live Lives!
I am going to be SUPER busy this summer. Mexico, conferences, eight-year-old's Shakespeare Camp.I don't think I can pull off another Google Hangout series like I did last year for #LangCamp...
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IPA: I'd Like to Thank the Academy
The basic premise for this IPA is almost exactly the same as last year's about this time (reality talent show video then writing an acceptance speech), BUT there are a few crucial changes:1. I changed...
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I Don't Do Standards-Based Grading, BUT...
I think Standards-Based Grading is the way to go. As a parent, I want to know how well my kiddo is keeping up with expectations in, well, everything he's expected to do. If I can get some kind of...
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Field Trip Talk: Can-Do Conversation Checklists
Whether you're going to a Mexican restaurant (we are) or participating in a foreign language competition (that too) or taking your kids on a mile-long walk with water jugs (#squadgoals), students can...
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