We're BACK!

Hopefully everyone had a great summer!  As I began my 6th year teaching at Bancroft, I found myself more and more excited to see my students.  I've spent 5 years building relationships, earning students trust, learning about each students strengths and challenges, and the start to the year this year would be best described as calm and collected.  My students have amazed me already with their focus, ability levels, creativity, and willingness to take a risk. 

One thing I've notices is that being in a bilingual school, vocabulary is CRUCIAL for students, and it's twice as challenging because they're learning in two languages.  Even harder for me, is that I teach in English, and I realized there are students that I know would know the answer to my questions or the proper vocabulary in Spanish.  So I thought, how do I teach my English dominant students the Spanish vocab. and vice versa.  Well, of course I was told "You should make a word wall" but I just couldnt figure out how to make it an organized, and legible(from all seats) success.  Plus, my walls didn't have much space I could reach!!  So I thought about it.   The result?  My vocabulary Folder!! There is one folder per table for students to use as reference when they are working.  They are particularly popular during reflection sheets, as students use them for spelling!  I hope this sparks some ideas, or thoughts about vocabulary walls, charts, folders, etc. 

The front of the folder goes through the various types of images we typically create. 

The middle of the folder walks students through the elements of art and the crucial vocabulary they should know by the time they leave Bancroft in the 5th grade.  Now, there are always more vocabulary words we cover, but these are just the basics. 

The back of the folder lists common supplies/materials we use at Bancroft.  It also has the artistic process I use with students and appropriate questions for class discussion during all stages.