Element a :
Teachers foster a predictable learning environment in the classroom in which each student has a positive, nurturing relationship with caring adults and peers.
--> I start my class every day with the same routine (detailed in a blog post here). For me, the importance of taking attendance in Spanish, allowing my students to say and hear each others' names every day, and going through the day and date and various "Preguntas Personales" is an essential "warm-up" to being in another language environment. By talking about the day's "Anuncios" in Spanish, it sets up the scene for a 90% Spanish environment (our goal, even in Level 1), and allows the students a non-threatening experience for hearing rapid, fluent Spanish and guessing what the meaning is -- exactly the experience I want them to be prepared for in real life. Also, because my opening sequence is not about a grade, but about the routine, I find that students are more open to talking and trying to understand the language we are learning.
--> I use a commodity in my class to "purchase" participation points, which I call "Euros". You can read more about my system of using Euros in this blog entry, but essentially my purpose for using Euros in class is to get kids to feel more comfortable with raising their hand, and speaking in Spanish. My goal in my class is for each student to feel like he/she is able to ask a question and receive an answer, and to feel like that by being an active particpant in class they are learning how to learn another language. In addition, the classroom culture becomes an interactive, fun environment in which they can "earn" euros for a variety of reasons, including working with other students and helping each other succeed.
--> I use a commodity in my class to "purchase" participation points, which I call "Euros". You can read more about my system of using Euros in this blog entry, but essentially my purpose for using Euros in class is to get kids to feel more comfortable with raising their hand, and speaking in Spanish. My goal in my class is for each student to feel like he/she is able to ask a question and receive an answer, and to feel like that by being an active particpant in class they are learning how to learn another language. In addition, the classroom culture becomes an interactive, fun environment in which they can "earn" euros for a variety of reasons, including working with other students and helping each other succeed.
element b :
Teachers demonstrate a commitment to and respect for diversity, while working toward common goals as a community and as a country.
element c :
Teachers engage students as individuals with unique interests and strengths.
--> As part of the BVSD 21st Century Technology Cohort 1.0 I've learned how to implement technology to differentiate projects so students can show what they have learned rather than just have learned something to meet the test. One example of this is my Spanish 5 final semester project in which case the requirements are the same, but the choice of how to present the final project is left up to the students.
element d :
Teachers adapt their teaching for the benefit of all students, including those with special needs, across a range of ability levels.
element e :
Teachers provide proactive, clear and constructive feedback to families about student progress and work collaboratively with the families and significant adults in the lives of their students.
element f :
Teachers create a learning environment characterized by acceptable student behavior, efficient use of time, and appropriate intervention strategies.