As we head back to our classrooms, it is time to decide the best way to start our language class.
It really depends on our schedule because the year we teach the same class three times a day in the same room without having to share it with another teacher is very different from the year we are moving room to room or switching subjects/languages that we teach.
With the former, I play the “day of the week” song so that as students walk in they are switching to their target language and commenting on their reaction to it being Friday or Tuesday using the words in the song to express themselves.
I have it and my lesson in a daily slide show and all songs play as soon as I click to the next slide. I use a remote presentation device for this – I can be out in the hall doing this and the slide will change!
When I am ready to start class, I use my remote clicker to play the count down song and students enjoy counting down as everyone must be seated before it ends.
I click into the class greetings slides with the daily calendar video and taking attendance routine video. And we are off! This routine works so well that teachers in six other languages have adapted them and are also available – see below.
But when I float or am switching gears from teaching a different subject and need a few extra minutes, then my students know to take out their weekly “bellringer” sheets, or open to them on their Google Drives.
I have six kinds of “bellringer” and they all involve music. Students are listening to a native speaker while I take care of administrative tasks.
- Encourage upper level thinking about analyzing pictures from Spanish-speaking countries while playing the “Lo veo, lo pienso, me pregunto” video. (Spanish 1 second semester, Spanish 2, Spanish 3, Spanish 4)
- Encourage the reading of question words in the five prompts as they look at the lush picture and answer the questions in the target language while playing the Question Song. (Spanish 2)
- Help Spanish One students to learn 50 chunks of survival vocabulary sung by a native speaker. (Spanish 1)
- Expand students’ writing skills with transition video. (Second semester Spanish 1, Spanish 2, Spanish 3, Spanish 4)
- Expand students’ oral fluidity by learning rejoinders. (all levels)
- Expand students’ greetings repertoire.
_1_Instructional Video – Lo veo – Paper from ellen shrager on Vimeo.
Spanish Two Pre-Class Bellringers with level1 Questions 10 weeks low prep from ellen shrager on Vimeo.
Students feel safe when they know what to do but are curious as to which picture will be used today. It is the right blend of routine and innovation. Give yourself a bit of grace starting each class with one of these and not stress about taking care of your administrative tasks while the students are engaged.
Spanish Rejoinders Replicas Musical Video from ellen shrager on Vimeo.
Spanish AP Upper Level Writing Transition Words from ellen shrager on Vimeo.
4-saludos-y-hola2 from ellen shrager on Vimeo.
Students feel safe when they know what to do but are curious as to which picture will be used today. It is the right blend of routine and innovation. Give yourself a bit of grace starting each class with one of these and not stress about taking care of your administrative tasks while the students are engaged.
These videos are available in other languages.
Click here for Italian videos.
Click here for Mandarin videos
