I have been focused lately on creating scaffolded conversation lessons. The idea is to give students something culturally relevant (a picture, a piece of realia, a video clip, etc) along with some vocabulary and let them use their Spanish skills to describe it. Then I provide a sample dialog that is on the same topic to practice their pronunciation. The next step is key: the students then take the dialog and replace certain key words with others to create an original dialog on the same topic. This gives them the support they need instead of just turning them loose with a vocabulary list and saying "Write a dialog in Spanish on this topic and be sure to use at least ten vocabulary words in it." (Haven't we all been there at least once?)
The fun comes when they replace the words in the dialog with something funny or clever. I had a pair in Spanish IV last Friday come up with the expression, "No puedo aguantar tu cara ni un minuto más." That cracked me up and I literally burst into raucous laughter, which made class so much more fun than if I had just given them the "Write a dialog . . . " routine.
Over my spring break I told myself that I was going to create some new lessons for my Teachers Pay Teachers portfolio. (I'm trying to save up some money to attend the ACTFL conference and that isn't going to happen if I don't produce some great materials for people to purchase.) But I was plagued with strep throat and spent much of my two weeks just feeling miserable instead of being creative. But I decided to remedy the situation yesterday by creating a conversation lesson, like the one I mentioned above, on the topic of Earth Day.
For a mere $2.50 you can get your students talking in Spanish about the Earth, the environment, and being responsible caretakers for our planet. And here's the best part: I created three different versions of the lesson so that you can use it with your Spanish 1, Spanish 2, and your Spanish 3 students! And, who knows, they might surprise you and come up with something that thrills and delights you in the process!
I don't have many followers here on this blog, a mere 20 of you for whom I am very thankful. So I've decided to do a membership drive and a giveaway. Between now and Earth Day (April 22) I will give this product away to five -or more- members who leave a comment below. You need to be listed to the right as a follower of the blog and let me know who you are in the comments field. Since I don't get much traffic through here, I might not get to give all five copies away but here's to hoping!
Have a brilliant Monday, amigos. I hope to hear from you soon!
Hasta pronto,
--AnneK
11 comments :
Espero ganar yo! Bethanie
¡Gracias Bethanie! I don't see you listed as one of my blog followers though (to the right). Join up and I'll send you a copy of my activity right away. <3 --AnneK
I plan to purchase as soon as I get paid! Definitely make it to ACTFL if you can. I just attended the CSC conference for ACTFL a couple weekends ago, it was incredible! I learned so much, so so much. Luckily our school district paid for us to go!
Karen
This is such a great idea! I love the way you scaffold writing. This is great for beginners!
Karen, You don't have to purchase it - I'm having a giveaway! Just join the blog as one of my amazing follwers (upper right) and I'll get in touch with you and send you a complimentary copy in thanks. But if you happen to see anything else at my store that you like, I'd be delighted if you purchased something. I have some holiday lessons, power points, reading, grammar - a lot of stuff! This is my first conversation lesson though. <3 AnneK
Profe Netcoh, Muchas gracias. I'm not sure which activity you're talking about but I appreciate the kind words! Join the blog, please (upper right) and I'll get in touch with you about sending along a copy of my new Earth Day conversation lesson. <3 --AnneK
This would be great for both my Spanish 1 and Spanish 2 classes!! Muchas gracias!!
Hi Emily's Mom!! Please send me an email at annekarakash@gmail.com and I'll send you a link to download the Earth Day Conversation lesson! I won't keep your email or put you on any lists - I promise. ~big hugs~ <3 --AnneK
I would like a copy of your earth day pack.
I would love to have a copy of your earth day pack!! I teach Spanish 1 and 2 and am always looking for ways to incorporate real-life conversations into my lesson plans and this is perfect!
Rachel, Thank you for reading my blog and for becoming a follower! I'd love to send you the download link so please contact me in email at: annekarakash@gmail.com and it's all yours. I won't keep your email, send you spam or do anything at all with your address other than send you the link. I promise. <3 --AnneK
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