Teaching introverts is part of every teacher’s job. It’s not always easy to know what our students need, and this can be even more challenging when students don’t share what’s going on. Not all students will tell you if they dislike working in groups, need quiet time, or just prefer a seat a little bit […]
5 ways to help your students master avoir and être!
Do your students struggle with avoir and être? Do you constantly hear things like, “Madame, je suis fini!” or “Pendant le week-end, j’ai allé au cinéma”? I’ve taught in three schools with three entirely different groups of students, and these mistakes happened everywhere. I’ve talked to French as a second language and French immersion teachers […]
Student grouping has never been so easy!
I love grouping my French students for games, speaking activities or quick-shares, but I also want everyone working and all students to be included. Does that happen when students pick their own partners? Not always! So, in my class, I use student grouping cards in French class ALL THE TIME! They are great for randomly […]
5 Ways to Make This Your Best Year Ever!
I love summer and I never want it to end! Tomorrow is August 1st and for me, that means the end of summer. We start back to school, I’m crazy busy, and life flies by. I eat when I can, sleep not enough, and go to the bathroom…wait, no I don’t get to do that! […]
10 tips for teaching challenging teens
I love being a teacher. It is what drives me to learn more, work harder, and be…more. It humbles me to know that I can think I have accomplished so much but still know that each year I will be teaching new challenging teens. Even though I have been teaching for quite a few years, I […]
10 tips for using projects in French class
I love using French projects with my students! Project-based learning so effective and fun for French students, but it can be daunting! How do I create a fun project? Will the kids like it? Will everyone do it? Won’t it make more work for me? How do I even grade 100 projects when I don’t […]
What I wish I had known as a first year teacher
There is nothing on earth like first-year teacher tired. Well, maybe new mom tired. They both left me asleep on my floor (hardwood) in front of the fireplace many times. Both left me passed out asleep on books. Both left me so tired I didn’t know what I was doing half of the time. However, […]
French class games students love
Is teaching French grammar your least favorite part of teaching? Do your students get bored with the grammar drills? It doesn’t have to be that way!Learning a foreign language should be fun, shouldn’t it? Kids take our classes for a variety of reasons: They need to fulfill an elective. They need the credits for college. […]
How running keeps me sane and makes me a better teacher
I’m a teacher. Those of you reading this now who are teachers all know…this means I am always tired. I’m stressed. I’m pulled in fifty different directions each day before I even sit for my fifteen minute lunch/check email/try to make it to the restroom break. As much as we love what we do, the […]
How to get your French students speaking
I love being a foreign language teacher! I love that my students can communicate in another language. More importantly, I love that they can SPEAK French. Those first moments when students are speaking the target language to communicate their thoughts and needs are such big moments for them! Due to the resources available and some serious […]
