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TEACHING THROUGH STORIES: MY STORY AND THE BEGINNING OF AVENTURAS IN LEARNING

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For years, I was the kind of teacher who followed the textbook. I’ve taught everything from kindergarten to 8th grade, and I worked hard to plan lessons, cover vocabulary lists, and check off grammar points. But despite all that effort, something was missing. My ... Read More about TEACHING THROUGH STORIES: MY STORY AND THE BEGINNING OF AVENTURAS IN LEARNING

Spanish Class Agreements: 5 Core Words I Use Every Year

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Since 2022, I have been using the same five words for my Spanish Class Agreements: respeta • participa • mira • habla español • escucha I keep these words because they work for me and my students. What I change each year is the song and the way I introduce them. ... Read More about Spanish Class Agreements: 5 Core Words I Use Every Year

Why I Color-Code Spanish High-Frequency Words in My Elementary Classroom

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Using colors, visuals, gestures, and stories to support comprehension and communication WHY RED & BLUE? If you’ve followed my classroom for a while, you’ve probably seen these cards before. They’ve become a big part of the way I teach through ... Read More about Why I Color-Code Spanish High-Frequency Words in My Elementary Classroom

Routines vs. Procedures: What’s the Difference in the Elementary Spanish Classroom?

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Every August, I hear teachers talking about routines and procedures. The funny thing is, those words are often used interchangeably, but they aren't the same. Understanding the difference completely changed the way I approach the beginning of the school ... Read More about Routines vs. Procedures: What’s the Difference in the Elementary Spanish Classroom?

Stop Teaching Vocabulary in Isolation: Take Spanish Class Outside

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Lately, my Kindergarten classes have been working on a story about la primavera inside Aventuras in Learning, and my students have been absolutely loving it. As we explored spring vocabulary and talked about signs of primavera, I wanted to make the experience feel ... Read More about Stop Teaching Vocabulary in Isolation: Take Spanish Class Outside

Artemis II in Spanish Class: A Comprehensible Input Lesson for Novice Learners

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One thing I’ve realized over the years is how powerful it is to teach things that are actually happening. I love bringing real-world events into my classroom because students are already familiar with them. They’ve heard about them, seen them somewhere, or at least ... Read More about Artemis II in Spanish Class: A Comprehensible Input Lesson for Novice Learners