The Tool I Could Never Imagine Starting The Year Without
How could blank boxes in a graphic organizer help SO MUCH with everything, from lesson planning to back-to-school anxiety? I couldn’t function without this tool at the start of the year.
The weekly packet I use is nothing fancy to look at; I make it using Google Slides, and it’s super easy to customize.
Here’s why it’s so magical.
Creates Routines!
I train my kids to take out their folders, notebooks, and packets every day and start the bellringer first thing
Bellringer is incorporated into the packet, with space to add answers to projected questions
Using the target language, I guide students through completing each box of the packet
Great way to incorporate classroom jobs (packet manager, grader/stamper)
Nervous kids feel grounded and know what to expect each day in class - lowers affective filter
It keeps things moving in class with seamless transitions
Follows My Lesson Plan Framework
Boxes A and B are my bellringer boxes - I start with a short reading with Q/A, or a slide with 4 images and kids need to write the letter of a sentence describing each picture. Super easy, lots of input and vocab practice, and easy to stamp the boxes when kids are done
Box C is my main lesson box - I might have kids take notes while I describe a picture, tell a story, draw a T-chart to compare/contrast preferences, listen and draw, or whatever helps them interact with the lesson content or “input”
Box D is for Write and Discuss - we co-write a few sentences to summarize the main content of that day’s ‘input’. I type it on a running doc linked to my Google Classroom, and kids write it out in Box E. Then we chorally read it in Spanish and English word for word so they notice syntax and language nuances.
Box E is for the Exit Ticket / Formative, which can be T/F, quick translation, 2 truths and a lie or anything I can do in a few minutes
Flexible, Student-Interest Led Input
I love that I can be creative, spontaneous, and student-interest-led when giving input, and still stay on track. I can use the blank boxes to customize daily activities.
Some days I feel like making the kids draw while they listen, some days they take notes, some days they create a comic, some days they make it into a bingo board–this can all be done spontaneously in Box C!
Behavior Management - It’s the Perfect Redirection Tool!
Kids not listening during input? Side-conversations, blurting, and other bizarre interruptions getting out of hand? Stop herding cats! Redirect them to a box on the packet and have them take notes or draw during the input. Calms things right down every single time!
Built-in Exit Ticket
Easy to tell who’s interacting in class or not
Less transition time needed to pass out and collect paper
Easy to grade; I walk around and stamp each box or the top of the page for done-ness (students LOVE to do this job!)
A Few More Things
What do they do with the packets when they’re full? I collect them and enter them as a classwork grade. Truly the best formative assessment tool around, it’s obvious to tell who’s making progress toward acquisition by the work done in the daily packet.
Grading Tip!
Grade as you go! After each activity, go around quickly and stamp each box for completion.
This makes the perfect student job!
No stamps? No problem! Use a marker or colored pencil.
As the year goes on, I change the format. While in September, each day gets a whole page, by January, I often try to condense it to save paper.
By this time, we are doing other things like FVR, reading novels, Señor Wooly, movie talks, or other story-centered packets.
Do the kids ever complain about them? Yes….but I try to change the activities often to keep it novel. And kids tend towards pessimism, don’t they?
Oh- and I should mention that ADMINS LOVE THEM!
One thing is for certain: take the packets away, and you’ll be herding cats. 🐾
Wishing you all the best,
Catherine
