8:30-9:00 gather in divisions
9:00- 9:30 Brief department meeting (IS room 184)
Agenda: (Bring computers)
Announcements: new hires, Quebec travel
Appeals- last ones
Curricular Grants
WL office space: who and where
Book orders- teacher editions, supplies, subscriptions, pass on books to other teachers
Blog: intercultural rubric
Atlas Keywords for use in updates: Keywords for searches: Authentic materials, tests, quizzes, recycling, listening, reading, writing, speaking, culture
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9:30-11:30 Group by common prep/language (use Curricular Guideposts as a reference)
As you work on Atlas, please remember to use the keywords we agreed upon.
-Keywords for searches: Authentic materials, tests, quizzes, recycling, listening, reading, writing, speaking, culture
Square Breathing- have you heard?
In the Intermediate School, teachers use this to help students focus and get ready for class! Personalize and put it into your language! See how Tricia and Christine have used THIS in IS.
Faculty Leave Forms: Please note that there are printed out copies of the form in the WL office. Please use the newer form that has the coverage table on the back. :)
Bookshelves Above Desks in the WL Office: Please be respectful of others space and only use what you need. The space above the desk should be for the teacher that sits at that desk, especially if they do not have their own classrooms.
Catalogs online for sprucing up our classrooms:
Teachers Discovery
Applause Learning
Purple Culture- Chinese
Continental Book Company (magazines too)
Follow Up from Last Meeting: Jennifer Gonzalez from Cult of Pedagogy
"What's the point of a makerspace?"
This question has been whispering in the back of my mind for a couple of years now, ever since I started to become aware of these things called makerspaces. On the surface, I nodded along with everyone, acting like I totally got it. But deep down inside, honestly, I kind of didn't.
So I decided to talk to my friend John about it. He does a lot of things that have the word "maker" in them, and I consider him to be one of the smartest people I know. After talking with him, I have a much clearer idea of how makerspaces work, how they benefit students, and how they can fit into almost any content area. Today I'm sharing our conversation on the podcast, plus a summary over on the blog:
Also, a couple of other things you might be interested in:
1. The June cohort of my JumpStart Plus technology course is now open for enrollment. This course is an excellent way to build your confidence with technology and develop a learning-driven approach to designing tech-enhanced instruction. This summer, we're hosting two cohorts: The first starts June 1 and the second starts July 8. The June cohort is open NOW for enrollment: Hurry, the door closes onMay 30!
2. I know a lot of you are wrapping up the school year. If you are looking for some creative ways to make the most of those last few days, visit my post on what to do on Lame Duck school days.Lots of great ideas there!
Intercultural Competence Matrix-
Where are you? Where are your students?
Professional Development:
Developing Proficiency in Intercultural Communication click here
Intercultural communication has been identified as a cross-cutting competency within the field of international education. Developing intercultural skills is essential for those who support international students and scholars. Developing Proficiency in Intercultural Communication is a four-part NAFSA e-Learning Express Course series, which provides professionals within the field the opportunity to strengthen their skills and experience in order to become more successful in their work.
School Year Left your Ragged? Building Resilience
When talking about a profession that loses 50 percent of its workforce in the first five years of their careers, it would be an understatement to say teaching is challenging. It traps us in small rooms with an unpredictable assortment of personalities, energies, and needs. It forces us to make hundreds of small, exhausting decisions every day. And over and over again, it puts us in predicaments that test our confidence, wear out our patience, and break our hearts. You can learn all the techniques, plan outstanding lessons, and set up a water-tight classroom management system, but to do this work and stick with it long enough to get good at it, you need a level of emotional resilience most other jobs will never require. Read moreClick on Debunking Myths About Resilience
Social Justice in the Classroom:
From May Day to Testing Day: Puerto Rico’s Teachers Battle for the Schools Their Students Deserve
Welcome to the Spanish for Social Justice Teacher Network (SFSJ).
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| French students enjoying pétanque outside! |
Looking over your ATLAS units? Infuse them with creativity!
BLOG
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TEACHER TOOLBOX
Need a new activity or a great new authentic resources? We’ve got you covered. Check out our collection of resources to make your life easier.
WORKSHOPS
If you are looking for professional development for your school, conference or even individual coaching, check out our services here.
Games? Real World connection?
Wordless video: (rural Costa Rica)
Why speak Chinese?
Congratulations, Avery! Watch his and other finalists' submissions »
Día del idioma- Día del libro
April 23rd is a big day, with three coinciding celebrations all at once. World Book Day is a celebration of authors, books, and most importantly, reading. According to their website, it is “the biggest celebration of its kind, designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading, and marked in over 100 countries all over the world.” There are many events happening in honor of the day, including a two-day read-a-thon of Don Quixote.
Spanish language day was created to celebrate multiculturalism and multilingualism, while English language day aims to increase awareness of the history of English and falls on the birthday (and day of death) of William Shakespeare.
Books In Spanish
1. Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes
2. The City of Marvels by Eduardo Mendoza
3. Ficciones by Jorge Luis Borges
4. The Savage Detectives by Roberto Bolano
5. The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende
6. Feast of the Goat by Mario Vargas Llosa
7. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
8. Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
9. Waiting for Snow in Havana by Carlos Eire
10. In the Time of Butterflies by Julia Alvarez
From SYA...
1. Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes
2. The City of Marvels by Eduardo Mendoza
3. Ficciones by Jorge Luis Borges
4. The Savage Detectives by Roberto Bolano
5. The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende
6. Feast of the Goat by Mario Vargas Llosa
7. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
8. Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
9. Waiting for Snow in Havana by Carlos Eire
10. In the Time of Butterflies by Julia Alvarez
From SYA...
LE CRACHIN
SYA 2018 LITERARY AND ARTS MAGAZINE
May 2018
Member Matters
Languages in the News!
LANGUAGE STUDENTS TO ATTEND GOVERNOR'S ACADEMIES
Junior Ellen Oskoui, sophomore Sarah Raman, and sophomore Kat Plaza have been honored with invitations to attend Governor's Foreign Language Academies, sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education. These summer residential programs are for students who have distinguished themselves as being talented, motivated, and enthusiastic language learners. Candidates must take a language test and place among the top scorers in the state in order to participate. Ellen, Sarah, and Kat will attend the Latin, Spanish, and French Academies, respectively.
STUDENTS EARN COMMENDATION IN NATIONAL LANGUAGE EXAMS
A significant number of US students earned recognition for strong results on the National Spanish Exam, the National French Contest (Le Grand Concours), and the National Latin Exam. To receive a gold medal, students must score at or above the national 95th percentile. Eight Latin students, 15 Spanish students, and 17 French students earned this distinction. Many of our students also achieved silver medals, bronze medals, and honorable mentions. For the names of our gold-medal winners and pictures of many of our commended students, click here.
AUGUST LATIN COURSE OFFERED
"Latin I: Recap and Refresh" is designed for rising ninth graders or those who have completed Latin I and will enroll in Latin II in the fall. Click here for more information and to register.
BACK FROM AN ADVENTURE ABROAD
Henry Page, who spent this academic year in Zaragoza, Spain, through the School Year Abroad program, has returned home. He had a successful year abroad and looks forward to his senior year at Potomac. Henry has now passed the baton to Sebastian Harvey, who will go to Zaragoza next year. The two recently met up to discuss the exciting adventures in Sebastian's future.
