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 have time? I LOVE projects in my class, […]
Let your students grade you!
Do you want to become a better teacher? Of course you do! You are already a great teacher, but wouldn’t it be nice to see yourself from the kids’ perspectives? Well, you can! Let your students grade you. With student feedback, you’ll know just how you’re doing. Be prepared to hear how great you are, […]
Raising independent children
I’ve been teaching long enough to have taught two generations of kids. A lot of my former students are parents now. I’m sad to say that I am seeing big, big changes in the kids raised today. I’d love to see parents raising independent children, but more and more, I’m seeing entitled youth. You know them: […]
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 […]
Bring music into your French classroom!
Music in French class is so much fun! Want to find some fun, new songs to play for your French students? Keep reading to find a playlist of French music to play in class! I’ve been teaching for 12 years now, and I have to admit that I am not always fun. Or interesting. Sometimes, […]
A Valentine’s letter to my students
This Valentine’s Day, I thought I’d share a different kind of love letter. This is not the romantic kind, although those to whom I write this letter occupy an enormous part of my heart. This is to those students who have been a huge part of my days with over the past many years. Dear students and […]
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