Tag Archives: teacher

262: Revisit Assessment and Feedback

Posted on | Leave a comment


This is episode 7 in my 2026 summer headspace series. This is a chance to revisit episodes from the previous school year during the summer months when you may have a little extra time. Beginning August 31st, you will see new episodes with exciting new topics every Monday. For today we take a look back at Assessment and Feedback in episodes 216, 249 and 252.

Topics in this Episode: 

Leave a comment

Posted in Podcast Episodes

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A French-Speaking Countries Project That Builds Language Proficiency

Posted on | Leave a comment

One of the best ways to help students build language proficiency is to give them a reason to use the language to learn, share, and communicate. A country project gives students that opportunity.

A French-Speaking Countries Project That Builds Language Proficiency

As students explore the Francophone world, they develop interpretive reading skills while learning about geography, traditions, food, landmarks, and daily life. Then, by sharing what they’ve learned with classmates, they continue building interpersonal and presentational communication skills in meaningful ways.

A French-Speaking Countries Project That Builds Language Proficiency

This type of project encourages students to see both the diversity and the connections across the 21 Spanish-speaking countries. Instead of viewing the Francophone world as one culture, students discover the unique traditions, landscapes, and histories that make each country special. This French-Speaking Countries Project does just that.  It includes:

A French-Speaking Countries Project That Builds Language Proficiency

A French-Speaking Countries Project That Builds Language Proficiency

A French-Speaking Countries Project That Builds Language Proficiency

Everything is designed to keep students communicating while learning about culture rather than simply completing a research report.

Whether you’re planning a culture unit, looking for engaging Francophone culture activities, or learning about geography of the Francophone world, this French-speaking countries project will give your students meaningful opportunities to build proficiency while developing a deeper appreciation for the Francophone world.

Leave a comment

Posted in Activities and Games, Cultural Exploration, Reading, Writing

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

French Students Build Writing Confidence with Scaffolded Practice

Posted on | Leave a comment

One of the biggest challenges in a Level 1 French classroom is helping students move from writing isolated words to expressing complete ideas with confidence. The key isn’t assigning longer compositions, it’s giving students frequent opportunities to write in small, manageable steps.

When writing is scaffolded, students focus on communicating instead of worrying about getting everything perfect. They build vocabulary, strengthen sentence formation, and develop confidence each time they write. Over time, those small successes lead to noticeable growth in proficiency.

That’s the idea behind my Level 1 French Scaffolded Writing Prompts. Each topic guides students through four short writing stages, gradually moving from brainstorming vocabulary to connected writing.

The prompts are designed to fit naturally into your curriculum and work well as warm-ups, exit tickets, or quick formative writing activities. Because each stage only takes a few minutes, it’s easy to make writing a consistent classroom routine without sacrificing instructional time.

The resource also includes student reference sheets with high-frequency vocabulary, useful expressions, and a writing process guide that students can use throughout the year. This allows them to become more independent writers and rely on their growing knowledge of Spanish rather than translation tools.

Whether you’re looking for French writing activities, Level 1 Fremch writing prompts, or French writing practice that supports proficiency, these scaffolded tasks help students build confidence one step at a time. Instead of asking students to “write a paragraph,” you’ll be giving them a clear path to success.

Leave a comment

Posted in Activities and Games, Classroom Procedures, Writing

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

261: Revisit Teaching Culture With Purpose

Posted on | Leave a comment


This is episode 6 in my 2026 summer headspace series. This is a chance to revisit episodes from the previous school year during the summer months when you may have a little extra time. Beginning August 31st, you will see new episodes with exciting new topics every Monday. For today we take a look back at teaching culture with purpose in episodes 241, 245 and 247.

Topics in this Episode: 

A Few Ways We Can Work Together:

Connect With Me & The World Language Classroom Community:

Follow wherever you listen to podcasts.

Leave a comment

Posted in Podcast Episodes

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Spanish Students Build Writing Confidence with Scaffolded Practice

Posted on | Leave a comment

One of the biggest challenges in a Level 1 Spanish classroom is helping students move from writing isolated words to expressing complete ideas with confidence. The key isn’t assigning longer compositions, it’s giving students frequent opportunities to write in small, manageable steps.

When writing is scaffolded, students focus on communicating instead of worrying about getting everything perfect. They build vocabulary, strengthen sentence formation, and develop confidence each time they write. Over time, those small successes lead to noticeable growth in proficiency.

That’s the idea behind my Level 1 Spanish Scaffolded Writing Prompts. Each topic guides students through four short writing stages, gradually moving from brainstorming vocabulary to connected writing.

The prompts are designed to fit naturally into your curriculum and work well as warm-ups, exit tickets, or quick formative writing activities. Because each stage only takes a few minutes, it’s easy to make writing a consistent classroom routine without sacrificing instructional time.

The resource also includes student reference sheets with high-frequency vocabulary, useful expressions, and a writing process guide that students can use throughout the year. This allows them to become more independent writers and rely on their growing knowledge of Spanish rather than translation tools.

Whether you’re looking for Spanish writing activities, Level 1 Spanish writing prompts, or Spanish writing practice that supports proficiency, these scaffolded tasks help students build confidence one step at a time. Instead of asking students to “write a paragraph,” you’ll be giving them a clear path to success.

Leave a comment

Posted in Activities and Games, Classroom Procedures, Writing

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

A Spanish-Speaking Countries Project That Builds Language Proficiency

Posted on | Leave a comment

One of the best ways to help students build language proficiency is to give them a reason to use the language to learn, share, and communicate. A country project gives students that opportunity.

As students explore the Spanish-speaking world, they develop interpretive reading skills while learning about geography, traditions, food, landmarks, and daily life. Then, by sharing what they’ve learned with classmates, they continue building interpersonal and presentational communication skills in meaningful ways.

This type of project encourages students to see both the diversity and the connections across the 21 Spanish-speaking countries. Instead of viewing the Spanish-speaking world as one culture, students discover the unique traditions, landscapes, and histories that make each country special. This Spanish-Speaking Countries Project does just that.  It includes:

Everything is designed to keep students communicating while learning about culture rather than simply completing a research report.

Whether you’re planning a culture unit, looking for engaging Spanish culture activities, or preparing Hispanic Heritage Month activities, this Spanish-speaking countries project will give your students meaningful opportunities to build proficiency while developing a deeper appreciation for the Spanish-speaking world.

Leave a comment

Posted in Activities and Games, Cultural Exploration, Reading, Writing

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

260: Revisit Classroom Routines

Posted on | Leave a comment


This is episode 5 in my 2026 summer headspace series. This is a chance to revisit episodes from the previous school year during the summer months when you may have a little extra time. Beginning August 31st, you will see new episodes with exciting new topics every Monday. For today we take a look back at Classroom Routines in episodes 224 and 233.

Topics in this Episode: 

Leave a comment

Posted in Podcast Episodes

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

259: Revisit CI Activities

Posted on | Leave a comment


This is episode 4 in my 2026 summer headspace series. This is a chance to revisit episodes from the previous school year during the summer months when you may have a little extra time. Beginning August 31st, you will see new episodes with exciting new topics every Monday. For today we take a look back at CI Activities in episodes 218, 222, 228, 231 and 232.

Topics in this Episode: 

A Few Ways We Can Work Together:

Connect With Me & The World Language Classroom Community:

Follow wherever you listen to podcasts.

Leave a comment

Posted in Podcast Episodes

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

258: Revisit ACTFL 2025

Posted on | Leave a comment


This is episode 3 in my 2026 summer headspace series. This is a chance to revisit episodes from the previous school year during the summer months when you may have a little extra time. Beginning August 31st, you will see new episodes with exciting new topics every Monday. For today we take a look back at ACTFL 2025 in episode 225.

Topics in this Episode: 

Leave a comment

Posted in Podcast Episodes

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

257: Revisit Sustainable Teaching

Posted on | Leave a comment

This is episode 2 in my 2026 summer headspace series. This is a chance to revisit episodes from the previous school year during the summer months when you may have a little extra time. Beginning August 31st, you will see new episodes with exciting new topics every Monday. For today we take a look back at Sustainable Teaching in episodes 230 and 250.

Topics in this Episode: 

A Few Ways We Can Work Together:

Connect With Me & The World Language Classroom Community:

Follow wherever you listen to podcasts.

Leave a comment

Posted in Podcast Episodes

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , ,