I missed the memo that Google had added rules to 20 Time, but I’m totally okay with it. In fact, a little additional structure and scaffolding suits me fine. @SECottrell of Musicuentos directed me to the Forbes post linked above with her post on Genius Hour, and I’d like to take Read more…
Most projects worth doing cannot be done alone. Most projects worth doing require coordination of time, materials, money, and information. Coordinating all of these elements is one reason collaboration is an essential 21st century skill. The old adage tells us what we must do with anything we want done right, Read more…
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 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…
The kids are hooked and burning to learn more. It would be neat if we could just set them loose with questions as soon as we see enough smoke to tell us the fire’s lit, but world language teachers must first stock our little firebugs with communication kindling to make Read more…
Your district has a list of vocabulary students have to know to pass your class. You are required to cover ser vs. estar and stem-changing verbs. Also, your department says you have to get through Chapter 6 by midterm. These will all be on the state/district/school exam. Exactly where is 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…
Anticipation is the name of the game for the WL PBL teacher. Like other Project-Based Learning teachers, we’ve got to predict the directions students might take the driving question, but we’ve also got to find resources for students that not only help them find what they need to know and make Read more…
How many problems can you solve with food? What situations could you improve with the right recipe or menu? My Spanish I class came up with seven, ranging from basic independence to obesity, from allergies to world hunger. My kiddos decided to take on world hunger with a cookbook* of Read more…
At an unconference you can learn about anything you want to learn about as long as you’re willing to facilitate and have enough kindred spirits in attendance. I attended my first Edcamp last week in South Carolina, and I had the pleasure and honor of co-facilitating a session on PBL Read more…