maestrahelzer.bsky.social
Formerly Anna H on Twitter
she/her
Spanish teacher, ELCA Lutheran, fan of rights and joy for all as well as books, prairies, and music
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79 posts
50 followers
76 following
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Same! I would probably also add a line like “I go by…” at the end of my message so they’d notice it. That occurs occasionally with multilingual students who have different expectations of names/titles so I don’t take it personally (the first time) unless the overall email tone is disrespectful.
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happy to share my slideshow if you like!
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I think Attitudes and Skills of Discover/Interaction come up in my art lessons. We take 20 minutes every couple weeks to look at a painting and notice/wonder. Then hiding it and asking T/F or short answer questions to test their memories. Fun way to build vocab but also curiosity #langchat
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I do, but I’m terrible at putting them into words so only if I’m teaching a unit that a colleague designed or has taught 🙃 #langchat . At upper levels we use essential questions as timed write prompts to have students write reflections or summaries of what they’ve learned.
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3/
Б) much of ongoing info about each kid remains in silos; wo a central hub that all can access & contribute to, we end up often working at cross purposes, duplicating each other (but not effectively), creating solutions for problems already being addressed, etc #edusky #langchat
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4/
В) yearly turnover of many staff members, changes to curric programs, & schedules has us in constant “novice”learning mode as educators instead of honing our craft in relation to content. This requires significant energy that then is unavailable to funnel into… #langchat #edusky
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It depends on the year for me! When teaching a new prep, definitely lesson planning as I figure out backward design and adjust goals to fit the group of students and context. This year, I had four very large preps of one class so grading/organizing their work took the longest. #langchat
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Same!! After the first couple I started just purposefully clicking the AI and hoping for red outline.
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Luckily I was able to email him to say goodbye and he stopped by later in the month to get his writing portfolio and a goodbye from the class, all of whom were sad to see him go. ❤️
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One of mine switched to online dual enrollment classes in March after being in my class almost 4 years. No notice, he just dropped from my roster. Counselor was confused about why I was shocked/angry about lack of heads up! We had a whole relationship established! Plus a group project he was in! 😭🥺
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One of the best things I took away from learning from The Dr. Ali Moeller!!
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so, in short:
• if we all get loud for trans rights and actually organize a movement, we can win this one
• if we don’t, then a de facto ban on care is assured in us law within the next six months
in other words, you found yourself in history
now’s a moment to be the hero
really.
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Anna, HS Spanish in Nebraska, and I can’t choose! It’s the last week of school here so things are v busy, but I have appreciated you sharing your thoughts/insights over the last couple months even though it’s hard to join the chat at the planned time! Thanks for your time and efforts! #langchat
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I’ve never thought of this as translanguaging but you’re right!! I’m glad that what I used to think was me/them taking the easy way out is in fact a good thing 😂😂 it’s a great way to let them comfortably express understanding/questions
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definitely!! I cosponsor our student council and always make applications / announcements in English and Spanish (my TL/the most common language in our district). We have many other languages (a few kids each) but I’m not able to communicate in those so I know it’s less accessible to them.
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(1) that’s amazing
(2) can they practice translating in mixed languages or matching words of whatever languages they speak? That way you don’t have to do the work (my methods teacher was big on the message/reminder “who’s doing the work?”) to know/incorporate
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I gave them 10ish minutes to read, 10 min to do their tasks, then discussion for 5-10. I really liked how it went and am excited to try it again!!
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That’s awesome! I had my 4s do small group “book clubs” this year with vocab expert, character expert, summarizer, and discussion question writer. We don’t do whole class novels but I might adjust mine to use some of your role ideas!
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Love those!! What level(s)/classes do you use these with?
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Our department proposed making our Spanish 4 course into a “pick your own” (4 quarters): academic/advanced grammar, medical, trades/auto, customer service, history/geography.
We don’t have the numbers/staff to make it happen but it’s a dream!
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I love this takeaway! So important to consider
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I’m taking a grad class in June that includes aspects of this topic so I’m extra excited to listen in on this one!! (I gotta buy this book this summer!)
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Peer pressure from my coworkers who left on time (and encouraged me to leave) helped, and knowing I’d burn out. I allowed myself max one long day per week that year.
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It’s sometimes okay to stay late at school, as long as (1) you’re accomplishing something useful to you, and (2) it doesn’t become a constant habit! Sometimes you’ll get an idea / have a specific project to achieve, and staying after school will make you LESS stressed. Make sure it’s a balance!
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What about From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiler ?
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Giant (current) maps in the target language(s) for the wall, money for classroom library building with books the teachers choose
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I love their reviews!!!!
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My 6th grade teacher friend recommends Candymakers (“No death! Four points of view!! Intersecting plots!”)
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Good call!!
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Melissa by Alex Gino,
There’s a Boy in the Girl’s Bathroom by Louis Sachar,
Meet the Austins (family friend death),
Dragonsong,
A Wrinkle in Time,
Wish by Barbara O’Connor,
Magic or Not by Edward Eager,
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry,
Percy Jackson
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The worst!!! I hate when I KNOW a document exists but can’t remember what I would have named it so I have to remake the whole thing, less well than the first 😭
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Same with me and peanut butter!! Luckily I got used to avoiding it because I hated it as a kid since it made my mouth feel funny 👎
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I haven’t read that one! I’m sure you picked a great one - you know your students best!
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Totally forgot earlier so here are some favs!
Esperanza by Carol Gaab (immigration)
Vidas Impactantes (short bios)
Felipe Alou (bio)
La lucha de la vida
Santana (bio)
Debido a la tormenta (immigration)
El viaje difícil (easier reading, immigration)
La niñera
La hija del sastre (Spanish civil war)
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I will send a picture of my 3-4s’ favorites tomorrow from school!