#123
Are there topics that you avoid in the classroom?  Are there themes that come up and you’re not sure how to handle a potentially polarizing situation?  I’ve certainly been there myself and that’s when I turn to my guest today, Kent Lenci, who collaborates with schools as they work toward building a culture of civil discourse in their classrooms and communities. How often do we ask our language students their opinion, on everything from favorite color to politics. We can all use some tools to navigate some of these potentially tricky situations. Kent Lenci is here to provide those tools and insights.

Topics in this Episode:

• why it's important to not avoid  challenging topics
• techniques and strategies teachers can use to create a supportive environment, particularly thinking of students who might be hesitant to express their viewpoints due to fear of judgment or negative consequences.
• practical classroom management strategies to keep conversations constructive and focused on learning
• how teachers can be prepared for unexpected reactions or comments and foster an atmosphere of empathy and understanding
• Kent's thoughts and insights on Robert Jones, Jr.'s quote: “We can disagree and still love each other unless your disagreement is rooted in my oppression and denial of my humanity and right to exist.” 

Connect with Kent Lenci :

• Twitter/X: @learntobridge
• LinkedIn: Kent Lenci
• Website: www.middlegroundschools.com 
• Book: Learning to Depolarize 

Let's connect!

•  wlclassrom.com
• X (aka Twitter):  @wlclassroom
• Threads: @wlclassroom
• Instagram:  @wlclassroom
• Facebook:  /wlclassroom
• WLClassroom Facebook Group

__________________________
Interested in having Joshua work directly with your department, school or district?  Look at options for collaborating in person or remotely.
______________________________
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______________________________
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Send me a text and let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast.

#122
Join me on the podcast for a Leveling Up Coaching Episode.

How do you implement IPAs effectively in your classroom? Today’s episode is a Leveling Up episode, where I coach Judy, a German teacher in Illinois. Implementing IPA’s effectively is the area where wants to level up her teaching practice.

Suggestions:

• Begin by incorporating IPAs in one unit or topic. This step-by-step approach allows you to refine your techniques and identify what works best for your students.
• Authentic materials can be just about anything: a short video, a photo, a brochure. Create a Pinterest board where you can pin authentic resources that you find on the internet.
• Develop clear and detailed rubrics to evaluate students' performance in IPAs. 
• Begin with 2-3 modes on the IPA, then add on the other modes with future IPAs.
• Offer formative practice opportunities before the actual IPA to help students become familiar with the assessment format.
• Use AI tools, such as ChatGPT to create a possible IPA, or at least offer a template to use.
• Create a Pinterest board where you can pin authentic resources that you find on the internet

Action Plan:

This Week:

• Choose one unit or topic from your curriculum where you will create an IPA.
• Create a clear and detailed rubric that aligns with the IPA tasks 

The Coming Weeks:

• Design and implement formative practice activities related to the selected IPA unit. 
• Administer the IPA for the selected unit, using the rubric to evaluate students' performance.

Helpful Podcast Episodes on This Topic:

• # 93: Integrated Performance Assessments (IPAs)
• # 56: Backwards Design and Planning
• #20: Rubrics for Assessment and Learning with Beckie Bray Rankin
• #37: Competency-Based Grading with Ursula Askins-Hube

Helpful Blog Posts on This Topic:

• Authentic Resources in the World Language Classroom
• ACTFL Intercultural Can Do Statements
• Grading for Proficiency and Competency

Let's connect!

•  wlclassrom.com
• X (aka Twitter):  @wlclassroom
• Threads: @wlclassroom
• Instagram:  @wlclassroom
• Facebook:  /wlclassroom
• WLClassroom Facebook Group

__________________________
Interested in having Joshua work directly with your department, school or district?  Look at options for collaborating in person or remotely.
______________________________
Sign up for Talking Points to get  tips, tools and resources for your language teaching.
______________________________
Join Joshua as a guest on the podcast.
______________________________

Send me a text and let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast.

#121
Have you used chat mats in your classroom? Even if you haven't, I'm sure that you have heard about this useful tool to support students.  Today, Christina Margiore,  a Spanish teacher on Long Island, New York, joins me to talk us through all the details involved with creating and using chat mats.  If you are using them already, you will get some new ideas for sure.  New to chat mats?  No problem.  You’ll soon be ready to use them with ease. 

Topics in this Episode:

• what chat mats are and how they are beneficial in the language classroom
• elements to you include in chat mats
• building on existing chat mats and creating new chat mats by unit
• specific examples of how incorporating chat mats into lessons and activities
• tips for implementing chat mat

Connect with Christina Margiore :

• Instagram:@supersenora 
• Blog: www.supersenora.com
• Email: [email protected]

Let's connect!

•  wlclassrom.com
• X (aka Twitter):  @wlclassroom
• Threads: @wlclassroom
• Instagram:  @wlclassroom
• Facebook:  /wlclassroom
• WLClassroom Facebook Group

__________________________
Interested in having Joshua work directly with your department, school or district?  Look at options for collaborating in person or remotely.
______________________________
Sign up for Talking Points to get  tips, tools and resources for your language teaching.
______________________________
Join Joshua as a guest on the podcast.
______________________________
Join Joshua for a Leveling Up Coaching Episode  on the podcast.  

Send me a text and let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast.

#120
What does participation look like in your classroom?  How can you make sure that all students are actively engaged and not just a few that have demeanors that lend themselves to speaking up regularly?  In this episode I speak with Timothy Chávez, a Spanish teacher in Massachusetts, who shares his suggestions and techniques for getting all students involved and participating in class.  We recorded this episode live in the Exhibits Hall at the MaFLA conference in October. We had lots of spectators stop by to see how it all works and what it looks like to record an episode. I kept the background sound of the exhibit hall excitement in so that you can feel the energy that we did. 

Topics in this Episode:

• the benefits of Prsida Himmele & William Himmele’s Total Participation Techniques in the world language classroom
• how these techniques enhance language learning and student engagement
• how Total Participation Techniques promote a comfortable and inclusive learning environment
• Specific Total Participation Techniques that Timothy has found most effective
• Total Participation Techniques used for assessment
• how Total Participation Techniques can be adapted to ensure that all students are actively participating and feeling confident in their communication skills

Connect with Timothy Chávez:

• Instagram: @communicativeteacher418

Let's connect!

•  wlclassrom.com
• X (aka Twitter):  @wlclassroom
• Threads: @wlclassroom
• Instagram:  @wlclassroom
• Facebook:  /wlclassroom
• WLClassroom Facebook Group

__________________________
Interested in having Joshua work directly with your department, school or district?  Look at options for collaborating in person or remotely.
______________________________
Sign up for Talking Points to get  tips, tools and resources for your language teaching.
______________________________
Join Joshua as a guest on the podcast.
______________________________
Join Joshua for a Leveling Up Coaching Episode  on the podcast.  

Send me a text and let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast.

#119
This is the fifth teacher toolbox episode. I hear from listeners all the time that they like the actionable tips and suggestions for activities that they can use with students next week, or even tomorrow. That usually means effective and beneficial, but somewhat minimal prep. That’s what I bring you on these Teacher Toolbox episodes. I have lots to share with you.

Sorry (not sorry), But They Will Keep Asking

"Can we play a game?" Embrace the request and discover 15 activities that can be easily adapted to any language or level. Fill your teacher toolbox with ways for students to engage enthusiastically with the target language in all modes.  

Activities mentioned in this episode:

This Google Doc has all of the links.

Interpersonal

• Quiz, Quiz, Trade
• Cards with Secret Card
• Who is it?
• Chat Stations
• Zut/Caramba

Interpretive

• Jump
• Let’s Go
• Guess Who
• Logic Puzzles

Presentational

• Pecha Kucha
• Do Nows and Exit Tickets
• Shipwreck
• Card Path
• Time Capsules
• Die Decides

Let's connect!

•  wlclassrom.com
• X (aka Twitter):  @wlclassroom
• Threads: @wlclassroom
• Instagram:  @wlclassroom
• Facebook:  /wlclassroom
• WLClassroom Facebook Group

__________________________
Interested in having Joshua work directly with your department, school or district?  Look at options for collaborating in person or remotely.
______________________________
Sign up for Talking Points to get  tips, tools and resources for your language teaching.
______________________________
Join Joshua as a guest on the podcast.
______________________________
Join Joshua for a Leveling Up Coaching Episode  on the podcast.  

Send me a text and let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast.

#118
Join me on the podcast for a Leveling Up Coaching Episode.

Do you have to balance common assessments with your proficiency-focused classroom?  Is this a bit of a challenge when those common assessments are not all that focus on proficiency and communication? Today’s episode is a Leveling Up episode, where I coach Lisa, a French teacher in Michigan. Balancing common district assessments in a Proficiency-Focused Classroom  is the area where wants to level up her teaching practice. So let's start the conversation. 

Suggestions:

• Might have to be a both/and during these years of transition. Allow for this.
• Leave 1-2 days at the end of a unit to check in on the material that should be covered on the district common assessment. Any topics that were not covered during the unit can be quickly added on at the end so that students are prepared.

Action Plan:

This Week:

• Review the district assessments and analyze the proficiency objectives in your curriculum. Identify specific areas where the two align and make sure that the focus remains on language proficiency, while also setting students up for success on the common assessments.
•  Make note of the topics that will be added on to the final days of the unit to align with the common assessment.

The Coming Weeks:

• Initiate discussions with department heads or administrators to advocate for the importance of proficiency-focused assessment in language learning. 
• Present evidence of its benefits and explore possibilities of incorporating proficiency tasks into district assessments. 
• Start with the walkers and get them into running mode, then move onto those standing on the side.

Helpful Podcast Episodes on This Topic:

• #20 Rubrics for Assessment and Learning with Beckie Bray Rankin
• #37 Competency-Based Grading with Ursula Askins-Huber
• #56: Backwards Design and Planning

Helpful Blog Posts on This Topic:

• Reflecting on Our Language Teaching
• Grading for Proficiency and Competency

Join Joshua for a Leveling Up Coaching Episode  on the podcast.
 
Let's connect!

•  wlclassrom.com
• X (aka Twitter):  @wlclassroom
• Threads: @wlclassroom
• Instagram:  @wlclassroom
• Facebook:  /wlclassroom
• WLClassroom Facebook Group

__________________________
Interested in having Joshua work directly with your department, school or district?  Look at options for collaborating in person or remotely.
______________________________
Sign up for Talking Points to get  tips, tools and resources for your language teaching.
______________________________
Join Joshua as a guest on

Send me a text and let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast.

#117
How do you support your students through the process of getting them comfortable when it comes to speaking in the target language? On today’s episode I speak with Jamie Rodriquez, a Spanish teacher in Connecticut, who talks us through using guiding conversations to get students to that place of using the target language to speak not only comfortably, but confidently.

Topics in this episode:

• what guided conversation are and how they benefit both student performance and language proficiency
•  strategies for creating effective and engaging guided conversations that align with the curriculum and target language proficiency goals
• how to adapt guided conversations for different proficiency levels 
• success stories of using guided conversations and the significant impact on students' language proficiency and communication skills
• Free Guided Conversations: Family Theme

Connect with Jamie Rodriguez:

• Instagram : @specialtyspanish
• Facebook : Specialty Spanish 
• Website:  www.specialtyspanish.com
• Email : [email protected]

Let's connect!

•  wlclassrom.com
• X (aka Twitter):  @wlclassroom
• Threads: @wlclassroom
• Instagram:  @wlclassroom
• Facebook:  /wlclassroom
• WLClassroom Facebook Group

__________________________
Interested in having Joshua work directly with your department, school or district?  Look at options for collaborating in person or remotely.
______________________________
Sign up for Talking Points to get  tips, tools and resources for your language teaching.
______________________________
Join Joshua as a guest on the podcast.
______________________________
Join Joshua for a Leveling Up Coaching Episode  on the podcast.  

Send me a text and let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast.

#116
Are you using AI tools like ChatGPT?  Do you know about all the other AI tools that are out there and can help support your teaching, your curriculum and save you time?  Today, Noemí Rodríguez, a Spanish teacher in New Jersey, has thrown herself into the AI world. She shares lots of resources and tells about all the incredibly helpful ways that we can leverage AI tools as language teachers. 

Topics in this episode:

• what AI is and why should teachers consider using it
• advice for language teachers who are eager to embrace AI tools but may feel overwhelmed or uncertain about where to start
• Using AI tools to streamline lesson planning while still maintaining personalized learning experiences
• striking a balance between leveraging AI tools and fostering meaningful interactions and cultural understanding among your students
• examples of specific AI applications that work well in the world language classroom and how do these tools enhance the learning experience for students
• AI Resources: Magic School, Learn With Carlos, ChatGPT, Diffit.me

Connect with Noemi Rodriguez:

• Instagram : @team_lologramos
• X (Twitter) : @Team_LoLogramos
• Website: Lo Logramos Consulting LLC

Let's connect!

•  wlclassrom.com
• X (aka Twitter):  @wlclassroom
• Threads: @wlclassroom
• Instagram:  @wlclassroom
• Facebook:  /wlclassroom
• WLClassroom Facebook Group

__________________________
Interested in having Joshua work directly with your department, school or district?  Look at options for collaborating in person or remotely.
______________________________
Sign up for Talking Points to get  tips, tools and resources for your language teaching.
______________________________
Join Joshua as a guest on the podcast.
______________________________
Join Joshua for a Leveling Up Coaching Episode  on the podcast.  

Send me a text and let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast.

#115
Do you have AP language classes in your program? When do you begin focusing on the linguistic and cultural competence skills that students will need to succeed at this level? A Pre-AP or a scaffolded approach to skills and content is beneficial in the language learning process, fostering critical skills and mindsets early on. Whether students pursue a language at an advanced or AP level or not, these skills not only enhance and support academic success, but they also cultivate confidence and competence. We’ll take a look at how we can begin fostering these skills early on.

Topics in this episode:

• Benefits of integrating Pre-AP strategies
• Building Strong Language Foundations
• Cultivating Critical Thinking
• Integrating AP Themes in Lower-Level Classes
  • Beauty and Aesthetics
  • Science and Technology
  • Personal and Public Identities
  • Families and Communities
  • Global Challenges
  • Contemporary Life
• Differentiation and Inclusion

Blog Post that brings all of these ideas together with examples.

Let's connect!

•  wlclassrom.com
• X (aka Twitter):  @wlclassroom
• Threads: @wlclassroom
• Instagram:  @wlclassroom
• Facebook:  /wlclassroom
• WLClassroom Facebook Group

__________________________
Interested in having Joshua work directly with your department, school or district?  Look at options for collaborating in person or remotely.
______________________________
Sign up for Talking Points to get  tips, tools and resources for your language teaching.
______________________________
Join Joshua as a guest on the podcast.
______________________________
Join Joshua for a Leveling Up Coaching Episode  on the podcast.  

Send me a text and let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast.

#114
Join me on the podcast for a Leveling Up Coaching Episode.

How do you approach writing with students, particularly at the very beginning of their language learning journey? Today’s episode is a Leveling Up episode, where I coach Jenn, a middle school Spanish teacher in Illinois. Writing is the area where wants to level up her teaching practice. So let's start the conversation. 

Suggestions:

• Revisit the percentage of each communication mode in your grading and focus more on interpretative mode at the novice level.
• Use clear, aligned rubrics for consistent and objective assessment of Novice-level writing in language classes.
• Consider a single point rubric
• Foster self-reflection and revisions to support language development and boost students' confidence in their writing abilities. Leverage the single-point rubric

Action Plan:

This Week:

• Gather resources: Compile a list of Novice-level vocabulary and simple sentence structures suitable for writing tasks.
• Develop scaffolded prompts: Create a set of writing prompts that guide students to construct basic sentences and short paragraphs using the identified vocabulary and structures with opportunities to go beyond the expected proficiency level

The Coming Weeks:

• Create single- point rubrics that align with the Novice-level writing expectations to assess vocabulary usage, sentence variety, and grammar
• Implement scaffolded tasks: Introduce the scaffolded writing prompts in class, guiding students through the process of constructing sentences and paragraphs.
• Provide formative feedback: Use the rubrics to offer constructive feedback on students' writing and encourage self-reflection and revisions.

You  can also be a part of Leveling Up coaching episode if there is an area of your teaching that you like to improve or enhance.  Join me on the podcast for a Leveling Up Coaching Episode.

Let's connect!

•  wlclassrom.com
• X (aka Twitter):  @wlclassroom
• Threads: @wlclassroom
• Instagram:  @wlclassroom
• Facebook:  /wlclassroom
• WLClassroom Facebook Group

__________________________
I'd appreciate the opportunity to work directly with your department, school or district.  Look at options for collaborating in person or remotely.
______________________________
Sign up for Talking Points to get  tips, tools and resources for your language teaching.
______________________________
Join Joshua as a guest on the podcast.

Send me a text and let me know your thoughts on this episode or the podcast.