I began writing this post before schools closed for the school year due to COVID-19. Since more and more teachers are now considering and/or already using novellas with their students, I figured I would finish it. Maybe someone might find it useful. We are reading Rufus et arma atra in my first year Latin class. … Continue reading Using the Teacher’s Guide
Tag: listening strategies
Two Weeks in Lockdown
Monday, March 16th, my entire state's (Virginia) schools went on lockdown for two weeks. We were asked to begin virtual teaching on Tuesday. Locally, my school division asked us to provide educational opportunities for review, remediation, and spiraling, but not to begin teaching anything new. My best pieces of advice, so far, are: Ask your … Continue reading Two Weeks in Lockdown
Those Middle Years in Language Class
I spend a lot of time on this blog talking about what my first year students and I are doing. Today's post is instead about my second and third year students. Those students are frequently the ones who end up forgotten as I plan activities and lessons. They are my "oh, darn" last-minute idea classes … Continue reading Those Middle Years in Language Class
Brain Breaks and Rejoinders: Taking Back the Class
The first part of this post is all about Brain Breaks. The second part of this post is part one of my follow-up to ACTFL 2019. Together, brain breaks specifically in the target language and rejoinders, are the perfect way for me to control the chaos of my first year Latin classes. I teach a … Continue reading Brain Breaks and Rejoinders: Taking Back the Class
VINCO (a listening bingo-like word race) and more…
A review of three activities that worked very well in class. At least one of them, I believe, might be an activity of my own imagination. VINCO* Though I myself am not a fan of BINGO, my students have always seemed to love it. Though, in reality, the game offers little in the way of … Continue reading VINCO (a listening bingo-like word race) and more…
Class Management
(Knock on wood...) Generally, I have few classroom management issues on a day to day basis. Most of my students want to be in my class - it was their choice - and I have learned over the last 15 years of teaching that I have to pick my battles. Some things just aren't worth … Continue reading Class Management
S… L… O…W!
My worse fear! I am a habitual fast-talker. In every language. Even with myself, in my head. I would like to say that I've gotten better over my 15 years of teaching, but I might be lying. I think my students just humor me. Now, I'm facing a new school year of (90%, I so … Continue reading S… L… O…W!
Chunking a Class Block
I've been thinking a lot on how to plan for 90-minute blocks, every other day, with enough variety and activity to keep students engaged and the lesson compelling. Side note: Also need to take into account not wearing me out (as an introvert I need breaks to keep up my enthusiasm in public) In the … Continue reading Chunking a Class Block
EdCampCIVa 2019
This was my first time attending a conference specifically for Comprehensible Input and I had a great time! Organized by Maris Hawkins and Lynne Hendrick, and held at Deep Creek High School in Chesapeake, Virginia. For more information: https://edcampciva.wordpress.com/. I was expecting only two or three other Latin teachers. I am still blown away by … Continue reading EdCampCIVa 2019
Four Heroes (Quattuor Heroes) #1: Hercules
Hercules - MAXIMUS HEROS! Hercules, the greatest of the Greek heroes... maybe, maybe not. If you are a teacher looking for Hercules resources: a simplified, vocabulary-sheltered, comprehensive story on Hercules, along with CI activities to preview, assess, and review the story... look no further! [Disclaimer: I have not class-tested these resources yet, but am planning … Continue reading Four Heroes (Quattuor Heroes) #1: Hercules
Dinosaurs Speak Latin 