Two additional bits of information for those who are jumping in to help Grant become the next Central States Teacher of the Year:
1. If you are adept at the art of speaking in a way that helps others outside of the TCI arena to understand what we do and why, this is a time when that skill is helpful.
2. Categorizing clips would be helpful. Areas I of course have to address include the 5 Cs. But also I’m interested in addressing the 6 “core practices” that ACTFL adopted this summer:
Use Target Language 90% + – Students AND teachers use the target language 90% and up as the vehicle (means) and content of learning, by creating comprehensible input, contexts, and interactions between and among learners.
Design Communicative Activities – Teachers design and carry out interpersonal communication tasks for pairs, small groups, and whole class instruction.
Plan with Backward Design Model – Identify desired results as functional, communicative goals THEN determine acceptable evidence (what learners can do) THEN plan learning experiences (lessons and tasks).
Use Authentic Cultural Texts – Provide interactive reading, listening, and viewing tasks using authentic cultural texts with appropriate scaffolding to support construction of meaning and interpretation (without translation).
Teach Grammar as Concept – Teach grammar as concepts and within meaningful use in contexts; learners focus on meaning before form.
Provide Appropriate Feedback – Use a wide variety of corrective feedback in speech or writing so learners reflect on and self-correct their understanding or output.