Back to School Planning Checklist for Spanish Teachers

This blog post provides a back-to-school checklist for Spanish teachers to plan for the first day and week of the school year in their Spanish classes.

The new school year is here, once again!

This time of the year is always filled with excitement and nervousness for me.

It’s a time for me to reflect on the last school year and start thinking about how to create a welcoming and engaging classroom environment that fosters language acquisition and community!

Whether you're a seasoned Spanish teacher or new to teaching Spanish, planning effectively for the first day and week of school is crucial. 

Here’s a checklist to guide your back-to-school planning, from Comprehensible Input (CI) strategies, ACTFL guidelines, and first-day-of-school reminders, it’s a great checklist for all world language teachers!

1. Establish a Welcoming Classroom Environment

Creating a welcoming atmosphere is essential for the first day of school. You can decorate your classroom that invites and welcomes all students as they walk through the door. On the first day, you could have an activity where each student creates a small poster or a piece of artwork related to a Spanish-speaking country, their name, and/or something they love (in Spanish if possible). Arrange the seating in a way that promotes interaction and engagement. Circular or U-shaped arrangements can facilitate communication and make students feel more connected to each other and you. On the first day, stand at the door and greet each student personally in Spanish. As students walk in, a warm "¡Buenos días!" or "¡Hola!" with a smile can go a long way in setting a positive tone!

2. Set Clear Expectations and Routines

Setting clear expectations and routines from the beginning helps create a structured and predictable learning environment. When students know what to expect, they feel safer and more secure. This security allows them to take risks in using the language without fear of unexpected consequences. By clearly communicating your classroom rules and expectations, students understand the boundaries within which they can express themselves.

Discuss classroom rules, daily routines, and your expectations for Spanish language use. You may wish to do this in the target language or shared language. This helps to reduce unneeded anxiety. Language learning can be intimidating. Clear routines reduce the cognitive load on students because they don’t have to constantly figure out what’s coming next. Predictability in daily activities helps lower anxiety, making students more open to participating. 

3. Focus on Building Classroom Community

Building a sense of community is crucial for fostering a positive learning environment! Plan Spanish classroom activities that encourage students to get to know each other and communicate in the target language!

Here are some back-to-school classroom activities that you may be interested in!

• This or That

• Four Corners

• Poll Rating

• "Get To Know You" Task Cards

4. Integrate ACTFL Guidelines into Planning

Aligning your planning with ACTFL guidelines ensures that your teaching practices are research-based and effective. Develop lesson plans that incorporate the three modes of communication: Interpretive, Interpersonal, and Presentational. Create “Can Do” statements for students to monitor and assess their growth. This provides a clear framework for what students should be able to accomplish.

If you want an easy-to-implement, no-prep Spanish curriculum that differentiates learning and aligns with ACTFL proficiency benchmarks….Meet the JUNTOS Curriculum! 

JUNTOS is a proficiency-based curriculum designed for upper-level Spanish classes. It immerses students in the target language through comprehensible input, aligns with ACTFL proficiency standards, includes interesting, relevant, and current themes, highlights cultural perspectives, and does SO much more!

The full JUNTOS Curriculum spans across 10 units designed to support your students in communicating effectively in Spanish. Each unit includes no-prep lesson plans that you can easily implement starting on day one!

Essential questions and "Can-Do" statements are provided for each lesson. This provides clear objectives and helps students understand what they are expected to achieve. (And not to mention, one less thing for you to worry about!) A complete vocabulary list is also included in each unit.

JUNTOS supports learners AND teachers with differentiated lessons and resources. The curriculum provides clear ways to differentiate learning. Within this, you’ll even find differentiated texts within each unit to meet the needs of the various proficiency levels in your classrooms. This ensures that all students can engage and communicate with the target language!

To find out more about JUNTOS, just click here!

To find the JUNTOS listing, just click here!

5. Incorporate CI Strategies for Language Acquisition

Implementing CI strategies is key to helping students acquire Spanish naturally. Use storytelling, picture talks, and movie talks to provide rich, comprehensible input. Focus on high-frequency vocabulary and structures, recycling them in different contexts to aid retention. Encourage students to listen actively and respond in Spanish, gradually building their language proficiency through meaningful exposure.

If you want to find 20 CI activities to use in the world language classroom, click here!

6. Assess and Reflect on Student Progress

Regular assessment and reflection are important for monitoring student progress and adjusting your teaching strategies. Use formative assessments, such as exit tickets and quick comprehension checks, to gauge student understanding. Reflect on your teaching practices and student feedback to identify areas for improvement. Incorporate student self-assessment and goal-setting to empower them in their language learning journey.

7. Plan for Continuous Professional Development

Staying updated with the latest CI techniques and ACTFL standards is essential for continuous improvement as a Spanish teacher. Plan to attend workshops, webinars, and conferences focused on language acquisition and Spanish teaching. Join professional learning communities where you can share ideas and resources with fellow Spanish teachers. This ongoing professional development will enhance your teaching practices and benefit your students.

For DAILY teaching content and FREEBIES, be sure to follow Sharing Spanish on Instagram!

By following this CI back-to-school planning checklist, you can create a meaningful and effective Spanish classroom environment. 

With thoughtful planning, the first day and week of school will set a positive tone for the rest of the year, and foster a love for learning about language and culture in your students!

FAQ:

Q: What to teach in the first Spanish class?

A: Begin incorporating Comprehensible Input (CI) from the very first class. Build a classroom community and use high-frequency vocabulary to get students immersed and communicating in the target language! Make the language comprehensible and engaging right from the start.

Q: How do you engage students in Spanish class?

A: To engage students in Spanish class using Comprehensible Input (CI) and ACTFL best practices, provide language input that is slightly above their current level but still understandable, such as through storytelling or picture talks. Incorporate interactive activities like Total Physical Response (TPR). Set clear routines and expectations. Use culturally relevant content to connect lessons to students' interests. Differentiate learning and give students choices in their learning to increase motivation and participation.