Students have been continuing to learn vocabulary to help comprehend the novel Las aventuras de Isabela. There are 10 chapters in the book and we are currently working on Chapter 2, moving into Chapter 3. On average we spend 3 class periods per chapter. Each chapter also includes an authentic Latin or Spanish song. This week's song is ¿Dónde estás corazón? by Shakira. Students should be keeping up with vocabulary by using Memrise, Quizlet or their own effective study method. I am giving short quizzes once per unit. They are not announced because the idea is to see what students have mastered and they should be able to do well if they have been completing homework, reviewing regularly with Quizlet and paying attention in class.
Watch for a gold sheet, as students may be asking you for a signature for online homework, particularly Duolingo. I introduced Duolingo earlier in the year and many students have been using it independently at home or during class choice time and it is having a positive impact on their learning. As a result of what I am seeing, I am going to start assigning it as homework and/or providing some time for students to use it during class time. Since it goes at the student's pace they continue to be challenged with new material and prompted to review previous material to keep it fresh.
I am also transitioning to putting student homework in Google Drive. Students can choose to write down the answers on notebook paper, write their answers in the document itself and show me their work in class on the iPad, or print it if they prefer. Lots of options! I will still be making copies of reference materials, vocabulary lists and listening activities.