The Countdown As the school year quickly winds down, I can’t help but look forward to the next one with much anticipation and excitement. Yeah, it sounds crazy I know, because so many of us are beyond exhausted, expending our energy to motivate apathetic students who have been bitten by the Spring Fever bug and the Senior Slide virus. While I … [Read more...] about Taking The Dive Into CI
world language resources
5 Great Reasons Why You Should Use Bell-Ringer Activities
During my twenty-four years of teaching, I had heard the term "bell-ringer" tossed around from time-to-time, but I had never really been compelled to learn more about it until last year, when I took a new job teaching at a public high school where bell-ringer activities were strongly encouraged, especially for those over achiever type teachers seeking a high … [Read more...] about 5 Great Reasons Why You Should Use Bell-Ringer Activities
Thirteen Noteworthy World Language Quotes
Several weeks ago, the headmaster of my school charged teachers with choosing subject-specific quotes that would be inscribed above the classroom doors of our new middle school building. What a great idea, I thought, until the moment arrived when I had to locate those inspirational words that would embody the essence of what it means to learn and know other … [Read more...] about Thirteen Noteworthy World Language Quotes
Origin of Puerto Ricans
Here is a neat graphic organizer that I received in one of my graduate classes sometime during the 1990s. It illustrates the ancestry of the three major blood lines which form the Puerto Rican race : Taino Indian, Spanish and Black. Origin of Puerto Ricans When Christopher Columbus reached Puerto Rico in 1493, he encountered and enslaved the Taino … [Read more...] about Origin of Puerto Ricans
Webinar Review: Michael Erard Talks About Hyperpolyglots on LiveMocha
Roughly two weeks ago, after a particularly exhausting day of teaching, I returned to my cubicle and collapsed into my desk chair. Too tired to do anything active, I decided to plug my Earbuds into my MacBook and passively earn some professional development time for the remaining hour of the work day. I tuned into the replay of a webinar that I had missed … [Read more...] about Webinar Review: Michael Erard Talks About Hyperpolyglots on LiveMocha
Tips To Prepare Students For National Foreign Language Exams
I think it’s safe to say that most of us in the U.S. have heard the expression March Madness, but if you haven’t, then imagine a month of utter craziness as sixteen NCAA basketball teams and their rowdy fans battle one another in order to clinch the championship title. It is truly a time of unnerving, exasperating and exhausting excitement. … [Read more...] about Tips To Prepare Students For National Foreign Language Exams