Welcome back, teachers! The 2013-2014 school year is upon us. Many teachers have already headed back to work, some are getting their classrooms ready, and some still have precious few days left.
To help with the transition we’re posting some classroom set-up or first week ideas to make your life a little easier.

Students aren’t the only ones shopping for Back to School

Classroom setup including bulletin board ideas, and first week resources….Setting up the Classroom:
Whether you love it or hate it, getting those bulletin boards ready before students come in sets the atmosphere for your classroom. While many teachers use butcher paper rolls, this can be quite an expensive and tedious endeavor. These rolls cost your school anywhere between 30 and 80 dollars a roll!
An easier and more economical way is to use plastic tablecloths which you can find for a dollar at the dollar stores. They are really easy to put up and fit squarely on the boards. See how we turned our board into the Mexican flag.
Another way to spice up your bulletin boards is to buy wrapping paper at a dollar or party store. These work especially well for those smaller bulletin boards and you can find various fun designs.

First Day/Week Lessons:*Last year we posted a sample lesson to show your students that they can accomplish a task while listening completely in the target language even though they might not understand everything that is said. This will build their confidence and introduce them to task-based and proficiency-based instruction.

*Thinking about giving your students names the first week? Many foreign language teachers feel the need to continue this tradition. Perhaps, it’s time to think twice about this practice. Be sure to read the comments and leave your own thoughts.

*One activity we use the first few days is this powerpoint (which you can download for free) to expose some of the misconceptions students have about the Spanish language and the people who speak it. 10 True or False questions with correct answers that can provoke discussion.

*Another simple activity at the beginning of the year to get the students talking in the target language or practicing/reviewing topics such as introductions, dates, and origins. Available in Spanish and also edition for our French teachers.