by Kara Parker | Aug 14, 2016 | Activities/Sports, Olympics
The Olympics are in full swing as the school year begins! Since most curricula have an activities and sports unit, we can use the games to be our culture focus and still cover the required vocabulary and structures. I’ve done this before as a... 
by Megan Smith | Nov 17, 2015 | Activities/Sports, grammar, Intermediate Level
Here are two more examples of how to reinforce a grammar concept in student-friendly ways that increase accuracy. Most definitely NOT the only way to do it, but just ideas on how to keep the focus on communicating for a purpose! 1.) SER: Whenever students are learning... 
by Kara Parker | Apr 8, 2015 | Activities/Sports, Family, Mexico, Sub Plans
Proctoring for state testing, sick days, PD sessions, peer observations. A day out of the classroom does NOT mean no work for the teacher. I feel like I do more work to prepare for a sub day, than I do for a regular day! Know the feeling? Here are some tips and a... 
by Megan Smith | Nov 11, 2013 | 1 Planning, 4 Assessments, Activities/Sports
If you have been following the last few posts then you know what I’m up to. This was my (very basic) mini sports unit plans. Step 1: Listen about Hispanic athletes. (Comprehensible input) Step 2: Read about Hispanic athletes. (Wikipedia) Step 3: Talk about... 
by Megan Smith | Nov 6, 2013 | 1 Planning, Activities/Sports, Speaking, Teacher Problems
So after students had a great day full of comprehensible input about my 3 favorite Hispanic athletes we were ready to begin part 2. Presentations! I don’t usually make students get up and speak in front of the whole group in level 1, but since I have resources... 
by Megan Smith | Nov 4, 2013 | 1 Planning, Activities/Sports, Culture, Most Popular, Teacher Problems, Teacher Talk
When I first started teaching I remember being told: “Do your best, but know that not EVERY lesson will be great at first. Aim for ONE great lesson a week.” Now, I’ll be really honest. I have some lessons that still go bad now and then. Not every day...
