I feel like I progressed a lot as an educator in 2013, especially in the fields of Project-Based Learning and sticking to the target language. I’m also still basking in the support from colleagues around the world, both online and at my first ACTFL convention. If I were really smart, Read more…
I’m set to have four preps next semester (in two languages), two of which I have taught only once before in my life. In other words, I’m going to need be organized. There are a few things I can set up for students ahead of time, a few policies to Read more…
Teaching Creative Writing was dangled in front of me once before: 8 years ago, in fact. I immediately started formulating a vision, setting goals, developing plans …that I never got to use. This year, a spring Creative Writing class was proffered once more, though I dared not get my hopes up Read more…
Google can answer most any question in any language these days. But without the human element, our learning falls flat and remains abstract, almost artificial. Without someone to test our answers on, our knowledge can never leave our heads. Therefore, to learn a language, we must seek an audience, and Read more…
I confess. I used Google Translate on my last two novice Genius Hour posts in Portuguese. At first it was just one word at a time, just to copy the accents. I looked it up in WordReference first, though, I swear! Then I needed a little conjugation, just a little Read more…
I think one of the biggest problems my students had with Genius Hour this past semester was choosing a topic that would drive them. Sure, they picked things they were mildly curious about, but as I’ve said before, if you don’t feel like you’re getting away with something during Genius Read more…
It’s that magical time of year when students’ research and reflection pay off and come together in an experience that is both enlightening and engaging for the rest of the class. I hope. The topics are diverse, and I want to give students as much choice in the outcome as Read more…
“We don’t remember anything. We just use WordReference.”I died a little inside when Spanish I told me how they felt about Genius Hour. I knew the project was not yet everything I’d dreamed it would be at the novice level, but I didn’t think it was pointless! (Just typing that stings.) Read more…
I discovered the secret to finding videos in the target language without YouTube, but not to figuring out what on Earth that Brazilian lady is saying. To find the videos, a simple Google search set to just videos can be refined by choosing “Search tools” then clicking “Any source” and Read more…
I may have gotten a little carried away pinning in Portuguese: I now have over 150 Portuguese pins on recycled art on my Reciclagem board. Some of them are just fun to look at, but some I can see myself actually doing. What’s more is I was immersed in accessible Read more…