#184

Are you always on the lookout for new and inventive ideas to bring to our classrooms. I have one simple, yet powerful, tool. A mini-folding book is a compact, 8-page book made from a single sheet of paper. They are easy to create and can be customized for a wide range of classroom activities. In this episode I’ll tell you how to create the book and then I’ll share 10 Ways to use Mini-Folding Books.

Blog post with instructions for folding the paper and the 10 ideas for using mini-folding books.

Topics in this Episode:

• what mini-bolding books are
• how to create a mini-folding book
• 10 ways to use mini-folding books in the classroom
  1. Personal Information Books
  2. Vocabulary Books
  3. Story Books
  4. Cultural Books
  5. Grammar Practice Books
  6. Dialogue Books
  7. Travel Guide Books
  8. Recipe Books
  9. Pen Pal Introductions
  10. Review Books

Connect with Joshua and the World Language Classroom Community:

• 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.

#183

Are you getting more comfortable with AI tools? Are you finding ways to use them to enhance your teaching? Last year, Noemi Rodriguez joined me on episode 116 when AI felt so new and emerging. Noemi is back to talk through advances in AI, new resources for language teachers and getting over some common hurdles. We specifically focus on leveraging AI tools to support students, particularly around providing feedback and differentiating lessons and activities.

Topics in this Episode:

• how AI tools can be used to support students in world language classes
• how AI tools enhance language learning and make it more engaging for students
• specific AI tools and applications that are particularly effective for supporting students, differentiating and providing feedback
• examples of AI tools being used to support students that enhance or improve students' language proficiency
• practical steps and strategies teachers can take to effectively implement AI tools to support students

Connect with Erin Coleman:

• Instagram: @team_lologramos
• Website: www.ologramosconsulting.com

Connect with Joshua and the World Language Classroom Community:

• 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.

#182

Calendar talk is a CI (Comprehensible Input) activity that is part of many teachers' routines in the classroom. It is essentially just that, talking about the calendar. What began as simply saying the date has grown into much more than that. In this episode I will share with you my own process of doing a calendar talk activity that engages students on a wide variety of topics as we begin the class. Lots of language and culture is embedded in activity very organically. Sometimes the slides and materials can take quite a bit of time to create. I don’t want that to hold you back, so you can make a copy of my Google Slides with all of the embedded links right in the show notes.

Topics in this Episode:

• The evolution of Calendar Talk in my classroom – from a simple "Today is [date]" to a dynamic, engaging discussion that students look forward to.
• The benefits of Calendar Talk
• The process and routine: Date, Time. Weather with visuals
• Engaging students in specific details about the date, weather and time in their own lives.
• Moving toward these details in a target language country and leading students in discussions where they compare to their own responses in the previous activity.
• Practical Tips for doing a calendar talk along with the country comparisons
• Episode #170 with John Sifert
• Be sure to Copy the Google Slides that I use will all of the embedded links to your Google Drive.

Connect with Joshua and the World Language Classroom Community:

• 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.