Author Archives: bryankandel

Google Voice

Posted on April 24, 2013 by bryankandel

A recent email from a listserv reminded me of an activity I’ve been meaning to try – Google Voice.  I set up a Google Voice account and number awhile ago but had never used it. Google Voice (here) is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Assessment, Speaking, Technology | Leave a comment

Don’t wake up in a roadside ditch

Posted on April 22, 2013 by bryankandel

Here’s a fun activity that can be used to practice second person POV and advice, suggestions or commands.  About a year ago, Direct TV ran a series of ads about what happens to you when you have trouble with your … Continue reading →

Posted in Classroom activities, Substitute activities | Leave a comment

Thoughts on communicative activities

Posted on April 20, 2013 by bryankandel

I had the chance to attend a great workshop this morning hosted by two outstanding language teachers from the area.  The theme of the workshop was increasing student speaking in the classroom, and the host teachers presented several handy communicative … Continue reading →

Posted in Communicative Activities, Reflections | 4 Comments

Inklewriter

Posted on April 17, 2013 by bryankandel

I tried inklewriter for the first time (here).  Inklewriter allows you to create interactive writings.  The result is similar to the old “choose your own adventure” books.  Readers select from different options to direct the path of the story.  It … Continue reading →

Posted in Reading, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Thoughts on writing

Posted on April 12, 2013 by bryankandel

During my years with TPRS, student writing practices have evolved and changed.  I’ve bounced back and forth between different styles and levels of monitoring.  I’ve settled on using different techniques at different times.  Here’s a description of what we do … Continue reading →

Posted in Writing | 6 Comments

Alma

Posted on April 10, 2013 by bryankandel

“Alma” is a great animated video for Movie Talk or an assessment that many teachers have used.  I’ve been working with it this week in level 2.  We’ve watched it, participated in a Movie Talk discussion, completed listening and reading … Continue reading →

Posted in Movie Talk | Leave a comment

Another small victory for TPRS

Posted on April 6, 2013 by bryankandel

I had a very encouraging conversation with a parent recently.  Her daughter is one of our Spanish students who is applying for Dual Enrollment next year.  The application includes a placement test at a local college.  I get a bit … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections | 1 Comment

El abrigo anaranjado – an embedded reading

Posted on April 3, 2013 by bryankandel

In Spanish 2, we’ve been working with an embedded reading that I created entitled, “El abrigo anaranjado” (The orange coat).  I created this reading because I wanted to work on some structures that would be important for viewing the “Alma” … Continue reading →

Posted in Embedded Reading, Reading | 2 Comments

nunca te olvidaré

Posted on April 3, 2013 by bryankandel

One of our structures this week was “nunca te olvidaré” (I will never forget you).  Today, we will listen to a song by Enrique Iglesias with the same title.  We often listen to music and complete cloze activities, but songs … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Leave a comment

Future from past POV

Posted on April 1, 2013 by bryankandel

Here’s a fun way to work on future tense.  Show students your plans for the future from when you were their age.  Of course, your future plans were a bit wild and just happened to contain a lot of useful … Continue reading →

Posted in Reading | 1 Comment