Tips from Teacher Observation- Spanish

Makeup work binder for each class- make a sheet telling what we did that day as well as copies of any handouts given (she has them make their own notes so there aren’t a lot of grammar handouts. I may wish to do a combination of both. I might give my higher classes a nice pretty version of the grammar rules but make lower classes copy and make their own.

Journals- have students write so many lines per day in Span. Once a week they have to write a focus in which they wish to specifically practice grammar, vocab, or culture. Higher classes also have to do an article focus in which they lookup an article online IN SPANISH, summarize and respond to it. (I could use my blog to list different articles they could respond to and this way include political, feminist, equality, etc stuff into class. I could also use it to include cultural aspects of the culture that we do not get to.

            Grade journals for completion, but otherwise don’t grade them for correct grammar. Idea is to give them a way to practice writing freely and get comfortable with it. Maybe circle repeated errors for them to pay attention to but otherwise it’s allll good.

One part of classroom management is to keep them busy- overplay so that you never have a moment of free time. Free time is the enemy. If I finish and have a few minutes at the end of the class then I need to have them pull out hw and start working on it.

No late work accepted

Hw due every day at beginning of class

Grade hw for completion- sign sra or initials in diff ink each day and record the grades in that ink. (bright colors like what I bought for my agenda book) and use them all over and over in same order to make things easy- also makes gradebook fun!

Let students know hw is graded for completion. Pick it up at beginning, have them work in groups or stand-alne activity, grade/check hw then hand back out and review. 

Complete HW myself and scan into computer- project correct hw up on board for students to see.

Fun game: matching with eng/span words, could also use it for synonyms and antonyms in higher classes. Can give incentive for students to play by giving winners extra 5/0 grade. Doesn’t have to be specifically hw or test or quizzes, just a random one.

Train students that when I am in the front of the room they need to be silent. When we come in we get settled. When bell rings we start bellwork and stop talking. No talking through Channel 1.

Use checks to signify students who disobey (my idea) Let them know how many checks gets them what punishment. 

Has them listen to song and fill in words in subjunctive. Tells them they won’t know if it’s for extra credit, completion, or nothing. So they need to do their best.

(uses speakers to play song for whole class)

Use songs to show subjunctive- Example Juanes- A Dios Le Pido. (See worksheet she gave me. (I also like Fanny Lou’s song “no eres para mi” for supe)

Listen to song twice if needed (asks them how many have 5 filled in, 6, 7, 8, 9. Fewer and fewer hands pop up.)  Asks if they need to hear it a third time then lets them if needed but 3x is max

Can use spotify app/Youtube/Pandora for songs I don’t have in my iTunes- may need to turn down volume for commercials on spottily

Can base rest of class on what first period gets through.


Introduced commands first then used them to lead into subjunctive since sub is the larger topic.