Wednesday, October 26, 2016

The Presidential Campaign as Compelling Input and Contrast of Cultures

In Spanish 4 class we talked about election day. We discussed both major candidates engaging in VERY respectful conversation using previously acquired vocabulary as well as new words introduced in the context of such conversation, with visuals shown on a PowerPoint. Then I talked about the election process in México and shared pictures of my own voter ID (mandatory to be able to vote over there). They had a bit too much fun laughing at the picture of their -then- 19 year old teacher! They learned that after voting, Mexicans have to ink their thumb to prevent electoral fraud. We compared and contrasted both electoral processes, as well as other details like the difference in amount of years that a president serves here in the US (4, with the possibility of reelection) vs in Mexico (one term of 6 years, no reelection allowed). To finalize the lesson, students grabbed a ballot and did cast their vote, which included a recommendation for their candidate of choice on what to do to be a good president. Of course, as shown in the pictures we had to ink or thumbs!! Do you want to know the results??? Donald Trump won! Out of 25 total students, 15 went for Mr. Trump, 7 for Mrs. Clinton, 2 for me as a write-in (haha!) and one undecided. My students made me proud in different ways: 1) They used only Spanish, 2) their level of engagement was amazing, and 3) they conducted themselves with the respect that is much needed in our world. 


Friday, August 26, 2016

Ready to Start a New School Year? Remember What Matters Most!

Sometimes we don't take seriously the impact that little details make in our students. Showing genuine care and interest in their lives beyond our classroom matters! I just received this from one of my students who will move to another district. I am humbled by his letter, and my heart is melting. Just what I needed today, as the nervousness of the upcoming start of the school year begins... when I invariably seem question all my work... am I doing things right? Does it even matter? This sweet boy just answered that for me. 
Dear Mrs. Yedinak,
I'm not sure if you have heard, but I must report that I will not be attending Ripon High School this year. I thought, though, that I would contact you about how great it was to have you as a teacher. I learned a great amount from you, and you always seemed to show a genuine interest and concern for my well being. From all of the talks while passing in the hall to the amazing coffee that you so generously gave me, you showed me that you were an incredible friend as well an outstanding teacher of Spanish. I will be attending XXX School for my Senior year due to the fact that my father is moving us closer to his workplace. I will, though, think about all of the important lessons that you have taught me of both Spanish and life.
Gratefully,
XXX
P.s. I've kept the empty bag of coffee that you gave me to remind me of the great time that I had in your class.

Thursday, June 2, 2016

Making Direct & Indirect Object Pronouns Comprehensible

This may not be ground-breaking (pretty sure many of you do it!) but I tried this only the last month of classes with my groups... my level one students showed a remarkable improvement in their writings and through reading with direct and indirect object pronouns. As I read aloud while they followed along, I would make an 'unnatural' pause and point at a student. For example: "El hombre quería llamarrrLA" emphasizing the "LA" while pointing at a girl in class. Then I would proceed with "pop-up grammar" "What is "la"? What is the "r" in "llamar", so what does "llamarla" mean? And if I wanted to say "he wanted to call ME"? what would I say instead of "LA"? and so on... The pop-up grammar was lightened as we continued the novel. This pause in my reading gave students a second to "digest" and better understand the grammar in the novel, and their writing improved remarkably, making my level one students more capable of applying indirect and direct object pronouns attached and detached to the verb in a much more spontaneous way! I don't know why I didn't do this sooner! Definitely an A-HA moment for me! Do you have any other ideas to help with this topic?