Saturday 2nd, 2022 was a memorable experience. I had the honor of presenting at TWLTA’s regional mini conference at University of Memphis. Here is my TWLTA Mini Conference recap. My session was for elementary and preschool teachers, we shared tips and resources for an easy going routine and engaging lessons in a world language class. In this blog post I will share with you a recap of my session, you will find tips, ideas and resources to create a great routine with your elementary and preschool level students.
The importance of a schedule
Why are routines so important in a classroom? Teaching multiple levels can be challenging. If you see your students on a weekly basis, it can be challenging to maintain a routine. It is also challenging to build relationships, which are essential to build classroom community and a sense of belonging.
- They influence a child’s emotional, cognitive, and social development.
- They help children feel secure and comfortable.
- They help children understand the expectations of the environment.
- They help reduce the frequency of behavior problems.
- They can result in higher rates of child engagement.
Source: What Works Brief from Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning
Example of a routine for a preschool world language class.
- Songs (5 min) Have a playlist of 3-5 songs to sing with your students. Choose songs about the weather, calendar, colors or useful vocabulary.
- Review basic concepts (8 min). Use a variety of activities to review colors, numbers, shapes, feelings etc. Some options could be: use flashcards, play “The Magic Box” or make a memory game with the flashcards.
- Introduction or review of the unit (10-12 min). Use a video, book, props or a game to introduce new content.
- Goodbye: close your lesson with final questions, read a book or a goodbye song
Keep in mind: Your units should not be loaded with vocabulary. The ideal number is 6-8 vocabulary words from your themed unit. Learn to read your students’ cues when they are not engaged, the cues could be many and so different. Mostly, it is students talking, squirming, moving and being out of task.
Read more about preschool tips here
Example of a routine for an elementary world language class.
- Game or activity to engage your students (7-10 min). Use a game like flyswatter, memory game or a matching game to engaged your class.
- Group or creative activity (10 minutes). Give your students time to work in a group activity or to get creative. For example: Guess the word and make a picture, create your own memory game, draw a bingo board or find someone who activities (find free templates here).
- Find a video or book to support your unit and current content. Ask students questions before starting to use this component. For example: Find X in the book/video, what do you think we will see in this book/video, listen and tell me if you hear X word in this video/story.
- Showcase your students’ work, for example: create a menu, a story, a character, a new animal, a t-shirt design, decorate a bedroom etc… or for younger students draw your favorite part of the story, draw your favorite part of the video, draw your favorite character from the story.
- Final activity. Written activity to review or use vocabulary in context. Depending on the age, make sure to give your students all the tools they need to complete these tasks. Tools such as: vocabulary lists, model the activity, the use of cognates in reading passage or visual aids.
Check more tips for Elementary Spanish teachers here
Activities for all ages and levels
At the end of my session, we talked about activities that can be customized and used for all ages and levels. If you are are looking for templates, please check my free no pre printables for your lessons.
I hope you found useful information in this blog post. Can’t wait to join more educators on TWLTA 2023. What world language conference are you planning to go this year?
Resources you will like
Las Mascotas Pets in Spanish Activity Pack – La Casa de Frida Kahlo
This resource includes all you need for your unit about Las Mascotas. This resource contains activities that you can use for lower elementary and upper elementary. This unit also review/introduces the life of Frida Kahlo and her museum in Coyoacan, Mexico.
Included in this resource
- sequence and scope
- 5 puzzles with vocabulary images (color and blackline)
- 1 write the room activity (2 levels)
- 1 memory game with 6 cards (2 levels)
- 12 vocabulary flashcards (color and blackline)
- 7 pets vocabulary flashcards (color and blackline)
- 3 intermediate level speaking activities
- 2 vocabulary worksheets
- 3 coloring worksheets for lower elementary learners
- 1 color storybook about Frida Kahlo and La Casa Azul
- 2 readings with comprehension worksheets
- 1 blank vocabulary drawing booklet
- 1 survey for lower elementary learners
- 4 cut and glue worksheets for lower elementary learners
- 2 level printable reading booklets
- 1 “What I learned” printable worksheet
Vocabulary included
- la artista
- Frida Kahlo
- Guillermo Kahlo
- el pincel
- el caballete
- las pinturas
- el museo
- la piramide
- el turista
- el perro
- el gato
- el venado
- el loro
- el pavo
- el aguila
- el mono
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