Preaching To Acquire: Recent Episodes
Kaitlin Leppert
I'm here preaching to help your students acquire languages! My goal is to inform, transform, inspire, and entertain you in efficient and effective episodes! Something you want to hear? Let me know! Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/preachingtoacquire/support
Kaitlin shares her recent experiences with storyasking that provided students with a voice without the chaos that this activity can sometimes bring!--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/preachingtoacquire/support
Kaitlin shares some reflections on using Star of the Day/Special Person Interviews in her classes and some changes she's making to it this year to improve her students' experiences with it.
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Kaitlin shares about a fun tradition she developed in her classroom during COVID that has continued to live on. She shares the quotes and stories behind them from the '22-'23 school year.
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Kaitlin shares a happy story about some of her most challenging classes.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/preachingtoacquire/support
Kaitlin shares some updates.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/preachingtoacquire/support
Kaitlin shares about the 3 new resources being released during Wooly Week and more details about the lessons plans that were written for them. She also shares what her plans are to complete the activities with her different classes.--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/preachingtoacquire/support
Kaitlin talks about her experience using ChatGPT to try to generate different content in Spanish for her classes. She gives tips to helped her get information at an appropriate language level and also shares how it can give your creativity muscles a much needed break.--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/preachingtoacquire/support
Kaitlin rambles about her struggles engaging students in class since her usual activities don't seem to be working the same way. She also shares some things that have worked to engage these students and ends with a plea for help and ideas!
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Kaitlin shares about a fun collaborative writing activity that she learned from Carrie Toth who learned it from Nelly Hughes. Students are challenged to write as much as possible so they can build the tallest tower.
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Kaitlin shares her reflections on how sometimes activities we can do in the classroom can serve a purpose beyond driving aquisition for our students. Don't forget to check out this year's FREE World Language Teacher Summit by registering here. (linktr.ee/preachingtoacquire)
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Kaitlin shares her (very tentative) plans for the first week of classes!
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Kaitlin shares her honest feelings about heading back to school this year
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Kaitlin shares a personal update.
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Kaitlin shares a few different ways she has been using parallel texts to extend input and provide repetition to her students while giving them scaffolded opportunities to be creative and silly.
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Kaitlin shares how she has used Smash Doodles this year as a way for students to respond to different books by analyzing characters and events in an artistic way.
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Running dictation is a fun, active, and collaborative way for students to work with a text!
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Kaitlin shares in depth about some of her first products that are posted in her Teachers Pay Teachers Store. Check out the free download and listed products! The store is called Preaching to Acquire. Thanks for your support!!
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Kaitlin explains the fun twist that she added to her 8th grade students' story book projects.
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Kaitlin explains how to play this fun collaborative activity in your classes to review a story. Thanks to Señora Chase's blog post and La Maestra Loca's blog post about this awesome game!
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Kaitlin talks you through her 4 year spiral curriculum map using the Stepping Stones Curricular Framework. This episode focuses on Cycle 1 Phases 3 and 4, which are all about describing people inside and out in the past and present. You can see her work in progress curriculum map here.
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Kaitlin shares some different ways that she is extending and recycling content in order to save her sanity and prevent too much burn out.
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Kaitlin talks you through her 4 year spiral curriculum map using the Stepping Stones Curricular Framework. This episode focuses on Cycle 1 Phase 2, which is all about describing preferences (likes/dislikes.) You can see her work in progress curriculum map here.
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Kaitlin talks you through her 4 year spiral curriculum map using the Stepping Stones Curricular Framework. This episode focuses on Cycle 1 Phase 1, which is all about describing settings. You can see her work in progress curriculum map here.
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Kaitlin shares her feelings about the just recent school shooting.
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Kaitlin has struggled this year with one of her classes that needs extra support. In this episode, she details how she is backwards planning from assessments and activities to break things down into small pieces to ensure understanding and success.
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Kaitlin had her homeroom class write thank you cards to other people in the school including teachers and classmates. Listen as she reads some of them to you, and know that you're students are thankful for you, too!
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Kaitlin shares her recent experience teaching a unit to her 6th grade with an emphasis on reading as input instead of listening and how it was successful! It also kept the classroom community a positive place for all students to acquire language.
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Kaitlin shares about how she approaches teaching a class novel in her classes and how she uses them as a springboard for content and cultural connections.
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Kaitlin explains what anchor charts are and how to use them in the world language classroom.
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Kaitlin gets real about how school is going. She shares a bunch of different ways to take a "break" in your classes for your well-being.
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Kaitlin explains how to use class and community surveys in your classes for input and how to personalize them in order to go beyond the original questions.
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Kaitlin gives you 4 tips (and a whole lot of passion) to create assessments that are simple, equitable, and aligned to the standards. This podcast episode pairs with her free presentation for the World Language Teacher Summit that will be live for 48 hours on October 21st, 2021. Click here to register FREE or visit linktr.ee/preachingtoacquire
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Kaitlin explains how students can create their own characters and 2 options for ways to use these characters once they're made. One option relies more on output and one more on input.
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Kaitlin talks you through the class character creation process for making a one word image.
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Kaitlin shares different strategies for student application and assessment as well as the mindset and perspective she has when looking at student work from this portion of class.
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Kaitlin explains different strategies for shared reading.
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Kaitlin explains a few different strategies for shared writing, including ways to differentiate for more advanced learners.
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Kaitlin shares about the quick but powerful part of the framework known as scaffolded oral review.
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Kaitlin explains how guided oral input is the heart of the lesson, how to support comprehension, and why keeping it short is the way to go.
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Kaitlin shares 5 different ways to get students' eyes on text during reading workshop.
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Kaitlin is breaking down all 7 parts of the daily lesson framework. Today is about part 1: norming the class. It is usually 5 minutes or less of Kaitlin's lessons.
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Kaitlin explains how she would use the writing continuua that are a part of the Stepping Stones Curricular Framework to help students set individual writing goals and feel empowered in their writing.
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Inspired by Bryce Hedstrom and Annabelle Williamson, Kaitlin shares the point system she uses in her classroom to motivate students to make good choices and use the target language.
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The purpose of this activity is for students to work collaboratively together to create sentences using familiar words that have been used in the guided oral input/shared writing texts before. Students try to make as many sentences as possible using as many words as possible. And there are even blank cards for students to write their own extra words on to level up their sentences. This will help build their confidence before their writing assessment so they can see how much they already can do! Click here to see Kaitlin's blog post on this activity.
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Looking for a more fun way to teach a boat load of vocabulary so your students have been exposed to what they "needed to learn" before going to the next teacher that uses the textbook? The Word Off is a great activity to do with them. You could also do this with any class where you create a fun vocab list based on class interest and have a little competition.
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Kaitlin breaks down how she prepares her students to be in a more traditional Spanish 2 class that uses a textbook with a heavy focus on grammar and vocabulary.
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Kaitlin explains how to do the reading activity called Volleyball Translation/Reading (Ping pong reading).
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Kaitlin explains how to do the strategy called reading from the back of the room. This world be used during the shared reading part of the daily framework.
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Kaitlin shares about the 3 main types of assessment in the Stepping Stones Curricular Framework: daily formative assessment, end of phase checkpoint assessments, and end of cycle summative assessments. Here is the summative assessment reflection sheet.
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Kaitlin breaks down how you can use the kid grid strategy as a scaffolded oral review OR guided oral input strategy. She shares how she would organize her spreadsheets for this and some extensions for once you've gathered all of the information on the grid!
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Ben shares his journey as a student and teacher as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. He also shares experiences about students in his own classes and tips for how we, as educators, can support our LGBTQ+ students so they know they are loved and safe in our classrooms. Connect with Ben on Twitter at @mrfishersays and on his website mrfishersays.com!
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Kaitlin explains the strategy called Write Inside the Story that can be used during shared writing or reading workshop if you are using the daily lesson framework. It can also provide a great opportunity for differentiation during shared writing.
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Join Kaitlin as she chats with Esmeralda Mora, the president of the Language Learner Literature Advisory Board. You can read more and access their reviews at wearelllab.org! The mission of the Language Learner Literature Advisory Board (LLLAB) is to provide well rounded feedback about Classroom Library material as it pertains to race, ethnicity, cultures, social class, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, religion, family structure, neurodiversity, abilities, and experiences. The board is composed of a group of diverse members that are well advanced in their field and can provide trustworthy information to help dismantle social inequalities and support teachers and authors in developing and curating culturally-sustaining reading material.
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Kaitlin gives examples of how to use the Stepping Stones Curricular Framework without students using technology to complete the lessons. In 2020-2021, the padlets with digital curriculum materials were released because so many teachers were teaching online. But if you are not in that situation, don't feel you need to continue to use or make digital resources.
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Kaitlin encourages you to use parts of the daily framework on the first day of class including guided oral input, write and discuss, and a quick quiz. Keep it simple so the students experience success on day 1!
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Kaitlin describes how to use calendar talk to dive into input in your first days of class and how you use it to personalize instruction and create community.
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Kaitlin breaks down what special person interviews look like in her classroom. She includes how to use these interviews within the daily framework and how to keep the other students engaged during the interviews.
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Kaitlin explains how to use the card talk (or digital slide talk) strategy as a way to build community in her classes.
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Kaitlin breaks down the 7 parts of the daily lesson framework from Tina Hargaden's Stepping Stones.
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Kaitlin reflects on a moment from her own language learning high school days and it reinforces why she teaches the way she does.
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Kaitlin reflects on her school year and talks and some of the positive pieces she's going to take forward into the 2021-2022 year
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The end of the year can be exhausting. It's time to take a break and let your students create!
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Kaitlin shares a few stories about her 8th grade students and what they taught her about what blank stares, bored expressions, and silence might really mean.
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Kaitlin tells a story about her 8th grade class and a conversation they had in English about why the countries in Latin America speak Spanish. This conversation led to deeper ideas and questions. She explains how this well placed use of English can outweigh the value of the 90% TL target and why she feels that way.
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Kaitlin gives you idea for activities to do with your classes on days when you don't have the energy to provide your normal input. Maybe you're sick or tired. Maybe your students have extra energy leading up to a break. Taking a day here and there to get some peace well help in the long run.
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Kaitlin shares 3 specific ways she modifies the Stepping Stones curriculum (by Tina Hargaden) for elementary classes.
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Kaitlin gives some ideas for how to pick a Señor Wooly video to use while trying to stay focused on the cycle/phase from Stepping Stones.
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Kaitlin reflects on continued virtual teaching during these wild pandemic times.
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I share some reflections on my transition from hybrid teaching (in person and online) to 100% virtual learning and changes I will make when we go back to hybrid.
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I've found using graphic organizers of having students take notes during input time can really help then listen better and understand more!
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Kaitlin shares about some of her experiences so far while trying to make her curriculum more culturally responsive, equitable, and representative of ALL races and cultures.
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I explain how to do write and discuss and share some tips I learned to make this strategy successful!
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I share with you how write and discuss saved my sanity and some ideas for extending the text if you have a little too much time left in class.
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I give you an update on my school year as well as share what's working well for me using the Stepping Stones/Curriculum Club materials.
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Warning: this is mostly an episode of me crying and sharing my heart about how difficult the year has been so far and how burnt out I'm already feeling. Yes, even on day 3.
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Kaitlin explains how she sets up her gradebook percentages and why.
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Kaitlin took a back seat in this episode and spent the interview listening and learning from some of the best! A.C. Quintero and Alicia Gonzalez, teachers on a mission to make their classrooms equitable, chat about not only the why and what of equity, but they also share how to put it into practice.
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I give a few ideas for how you can teach with the Stepping Stones Curriculum by Tina Hargaden while making sure your students also get the grammar and vocabulary your school or district may require.
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Every decision we make is hard. But which hard is worth it?
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A.C. Quintero is a talented and passionate Spanish teacher. She is also the author of many fabulous (seriously... I've read almost all of them) comprehensible input novels for students. We had a great chat about what equity looks like in the world language classroom and why it should be a priority.
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Bertha Delgadillo is an inspiring, strong, and wonderful Spanish teacher. Her own story as an undocumented student in the US has impacted her teaching practices and how she creates a safe space for heritage and undocumented students. Make sure to check out her blog post on this topic!
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Jodi is one of my closest friends that I am also proud to call a colleague. We have both gone on a similar journey transitioning from teaching with a textbook to teaching completely with CI strategies. Hear some of her tips to work with the book you have or some simple strategies to add in to the already existing curriculum. Check out Jodi's YouTube channel to see her awesome teaching videos!
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Here's my heart. It has been a long 9 weeks at home and for the first time since this started, I am feeling like myself. I hope this inspires you and helps take steps to feel like yourself again, too.
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Kristen Wolf is a Spanish teacher in Montana who has a passion for reaching ALL students. Join us to hear some of Kristen's story and to hear us chat about differentiation in CI classrooms.
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I explain how I do the activity Back At'Cha/Ping Pong Recall that I learned from Martina Bex. The class is split into 2+ teams and each team takes turns telling information about an image/content that they are familiar with. They go back and forth sharing more details until they run out of things to say. Then it's on the the next image/section of content.
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I share my take on the activity called No Detail Left Behind (previously called Circle the Wagons) that I learned from the Señor Wooly team during Wooly Week 2019. The students are in smaller groups sharing as much as they can about images from a very familiar story.
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I go into great detail on how to use a story mountain and story mountain graphic organizer to recycle and continuing process the language froma story that you already told your class. I also discuss the activity "What Would They Say/Think?" And other extension options once students are comfortable and confident with the story.
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I explain the quick Quiz and some easy grading hacks for them.
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I share how the Q&A game works, two ways to play, and suggestions for how to make sure your students are staying on task during the activity. Click this link for the rubrics/game boards to play the Q&A game.
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I share one of my favorite strategies for telling stories... A visual story! I also share some ideas to extend the story once you have artwork and a text created!
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I explain a narrative input chart, how I used it to tell a personal story in class and how I used the same images and a story mountain graphic organizer to extend the story. (I'm planning to add links to this description soon.)
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I explain what a clip chat (movie talk) is and some different strategies to help make it successful in your classes. Plus, I share the benefits of following this activity up with a write and discuss and how you can extend the content
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I share my take on the traditional idea of PQA as well as suggestions for personalizing other input activities with whole class and individual questions.
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I explain what a visual survey is and how to implement it in your language classroom. Plus, I share a fun little oral review game to do with multiple pictures.
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I explain what a picture walk is and how to use it to deliver CI in your language classroom.
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A little New Year reflection and reminder.
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This can be used with any text, topic, or input you've worked with in class.
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I wanted to make a quick episode to update you all on some things I've been struggling with and the lessons I'm learning. I'm working on being vulnerable and courageous (thanks Brené Brown) so here it is. You are not alone. We can do this. Thanks for listening to my heart.
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I share with you a few ways I naturally discuss grammar in class and how I handle sending my 8th grade students to a traditional high school that focuses on vocabulary and grammar.
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I'll share my tips for bringing less work home and all about the daily instructional framework that I've implemented this year to reduce planning time.
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Sr. Wooly, Textivate, written stories, Martina Bex's story board sub plan template, and holding kids accountable for their work.
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I share about how using a story map during input time saved my sanity in "that class." Video of this class. Link to story map graphic organizer.
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In this episode I share and the mindset shift that takes place when switching from traditional grammar and vocabulary focused teaching to teaching with CI and for proficiency. I discuss mindset about assessment and your daily instruction and how it all related to the way brains acquire language.
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Let me break down what the cycles and phases are from the Stepping Stones/ Curriculum Club curriculum. If you're interested in joining the Curriculum Club, you can sign up here: ci-liftoff.teachacle.com/courses/curriculum-club-and-tag-team-coaching
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I share my tips for how to build confidence in your students for writing in L2 based on an experience in my classroom with my 6th graders. Click on THIS LINK to watch me do this in class.
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Everytime someone decides to try something new, it's probably going to suck, but we only fail when we stop trying.
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Have a classroom library and want to start free coffee reading? Listen to my recommendations for setting your students up for success!
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