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At this point in the year, many of us are feeling it. Students are distracted, energy is low, and if we say “read,” suddenly half the class needs the bathroom.

In this episode, I’m sharing a simple sequence I use to turn any reading into an engaging station-based lesson that keeps students reading, moving, and participating without creating more work for you.

Whether you’re using a Cinco de Mayo article, a Panorama Cultural reading, or your own class text, this structure helps students process one shared reading in a way that feels interactive and manageable.

✨ In this episode, I share:

• How to choose the right text (this part matters most!)
• Simple pre-reading activities like predictions, images, and quick movement
• How I structure the “during reading” phase with audio + small groups
• My favorite post-reading stations: matching, sequencing, graphic organizers, and open-ended questions
• Why I duplicate stations instead of creating more
• How one reading can easily become 3 full class periods

🎁 Resources mentioned:

• Free Cinco de Mayo Reading Resource
• Full blog post with classroom pictures + step-by-step breakdown
• Panorama Culturales for more high-interest readings
• Episode 21 if you want more station ideas beyond one shared text

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Are you looking for an interactive and engaging activity to boost your students' participation and build a strong classroom community at the end of the school year? In this episode of "Growing With Proficiency, the podcast," we explore a unique twist on the popular Card Talk activity that my students absolutely loved!

In this activity, I’ll share with you how to turn the simple drawings our students do in card talk into a pair-reading activity plus a gallery walk.

Main Highlights:

• Introduction to Card Talk and its benefits for student engagement and comprehensible input.
• Detailed activity setup with the prompt: "The Best and the Worst in the School Year."
• Step-by-step process from drawing, writing, hallway gallery walk, and class discussion.
• Personal connection and community building through shared experiences.
• Extending Card Talk: Ideas for adapting Card Talk for different thematic units such as clothing, food, and travel.

Resources and Links Mentioned:

• Free Teacher Guide: "How to Shift to A Comprehensible and Communicative Teaching Approach" – growingwithproficiency.com/guide
• Episode 82: Previous discussion on Card Talk with Ben Fisher
• Follow Claudia on Instagram: @claudiamelliott
• Connect on Facebook: Claudia M Elliott
• Join our waitlist for Growing With Proficiency The Spanish Teacher Academy

Thank you for tuning in to "Growing With Proficiency, the podcast." Until next time, keep growing and keep teaching with passion. ¡Hasta luego!

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The end of the school year can feel chaotic: testing, low energy, and unpredictable schedules. So what do you actually do with your students during those final weeks?

In this episode of Growing With Proficiency, I sit down with Allison Wienhold (Mis Clases Locas) to share simple, low-prep end-of-year activities for world language classes that keep students engaged without burning you out.

We talk about how to balance review, celebration, and connection while staying true to a communicative, comprehension-based approach. Whether you need movement, easy games, or meaningful ways for students to show what they’ve learned, this episode is full of ideas you can use right away.

✨ Biggest Takeaways

• Why the end of the year is a different season for both students and teachers—and how to plan accordingly
• How to use conversation cards + movement for engaging review
• Easy ways to turn any activity into a gallery walk or walk & talk
• Low-prep games like:
  • 1-2-3 Jump
  • Team Marker Game (whole-group version)
  • Relay-style Quizlet/Kahoot/Blooket
• A meaningful self-portrait project to make learning visible
• How to talk about future plans and goals with students
• Simple ways to use movies without creating a full unit

📚 Resources & Links Mentioned

• Alison Wienhold (Miss Clase Locas): https://misclaseslocas.com
• Activities with movement (includes question cards, Quizlet Live Relay, 1,2,3 Salta & dancing) https://misclaseslocas.com/10-ways-to-get-you-spanish-class-moving/
• Culture rich movies to use at the end of the year https://misclaseslocas.com/appropriate-movies-for-spanish-class/
• Comprehensible Iowa Conference June 12-13, 2026 in Des Moines, IA https://comprehensibleiowa.wordpress.com/
• End of the Year Activities Blog: https://misclaseslocas.com/lista-lunes-end-of-year-in-spanish-class
• Running out of Time EOY Blog: https://misclaseslocas.com/end-of-the-year-spanish-activities/
• Grab a Spanish Routine Freebie: https://misclaseslocas.com/para-empezar-sample-1-week-freebie/
• Growing With Proficiency Spanish Teacher Academy: https://growingwithproficiency.com/academy
• Growing With CI FB Community
• GWP Blog
• Claudia's Teacher Pay Teachers Store
• IG & Twitter: @claudiamelliott