I visited my classroom for the first time since my teaching interview. I was really excited because I am ready to get it set up. The first thing I wanted to do was to check out what materials I had available so I could request what I believe I will need for this upcoming school year. The only problem is that all the cupboards were locked and I couldn't access any of the materials that were available.

The teacher before me used the TPRS method (total physical response storytelling). I do not plan on using this method in it's entirety. I believe that some aspects of the TPRS method could be used along with other methods to allow for students to learn the absolute most.

This upcoming school year will by my school's second year. I'm pretty sure an entire curriculum was purchased that follows the TPRS method. I feel kind of wasteful not using these materials that are available, but I do not think it is beneficial to the students to learn using solely the TPRS method. From my experience thus far in an elementary Spanish classroom (student teaching and practicum experiences), the teachers create the majority of their materials to use in activities with their students. Since I didn't actually get to see what materials were in my classroom, and I happened to forget to bring my camera, I measured using my feet to create a rough floor plan of how my classroom currently looks.

As you can see, it is very precise. I have a whiteboard and a portable whiteboard cart. A kidney bean table and seven rectangle tables. There is a small couch beside the kidney bean table and a lot of storage for my materials along the counter. There are also shelves along the wall (at the bottom of this picture) that can be moved. There are 38 student chairs in my classroom, four of which are preschool size.

I'm really excited to see my schedule of classes so I can arrange my classroom for all my students. I won't make it there for the next few weeks but I hope to actually get to dive in on July second, and see what materials are available, see a class list so I know how many students I will have in each class, and arrange the items I am bringing in. 

This is going to be an exciting year! 

Stereotypes of Spain

This is a Tagul that contains many of the stereotypes of Spain. If you can be aware of these stereotypes before learning about the culture of Spain it will assist in an unbiased learning process. This is also great for parents who are very interested in their student's learning. They will be able to communicate more effectively with their students about the Spanish culture if they come in without incorrect background knowledge. As you can see, many times when people think of Spain they think of wine, dance, fiestas, the flamenco, beaches, sunshine, paella, handsome and dark people, siestas, and bullfights. 

It is better for parents to think beyond these stereotypes. This way they can become familiar with the real Spain, as best as possible, through their students and their Spanish learning. 

So it begins

I decided to start this blog to document my first year teaching. I will be teaching at Council Bluffs Community Schools!! for the 2012-2013 school year. I will be teaching Spanish to every student in the building. This means Pre K-5th grade! It is going to be a busy year with so many students. I am terrible at remembering names, and I will have a few hundred names to remember! I am super excited to begin this journey. 


Since Spanish is not something that each elementary in the Council Bluffs Community School district has, I will be developing my own curriculum. I am excited to teach students about Spanish language and culture! It will be a big project, but I am sure that it will be rewarding to me and the students. 


I just began my graduate classes for the CADRE program. I am taking two courses for the month of June and three in July, which means that I will be even busier in July (especially with this wedding coming up)! This is going to be a very exciting year and I look forward to sharing it with everyone!