ideas to teach spanish to special ed students...

[Unregistered NYC]

I would like to get some ideas to teach Spanish to emotionally disabled students attending Middle School. It has been very hard to get their attention, and i would appreciate some advice. From NYC, thanks.

[Unregistered]

Hi,

One way that has been effective for our students is music. The students love songs and activities. An example are songs with "catchy" tunes or familiar tunes and the students love it.

-Minneapolis

[Unregistered]

The previous reply was a good one - using music with catchy tunes.

I also use a karaoke machine that all of the students love. Play the same song at least 3 times so that the non-reading students can hear it and learn it. (Turn up the volume so that if they make a mistake not many hear them.) Many have compensated for their learning abilities by polishing their aural skills.

One of mine is the "bouncer" during vocabulary bee time. He won't know the words unless someone else doesn't and then he magically comes up with it.

Have them be the sorter of papers or decorations for the bulletin board or room. You can review the words for them as they are hanging them up saying, "Los gatos (etc.) ?" Hold the card up. "Aquí." Ask them what are these? "Son los gatos." They will repeat especially one on one.

With NCLB you will have more of Special Ed students in your classroom than before.

Hope this helps! I know it did me!
Cathy

[Unregistered]

It's funny because I teach the emotionally disturbed and I am Hispanic. When I have difficulty getting their attention I just start to speak Spanish like Ricky Ricardo in I Love Lucy and it works. Many of them have learned verbal commands from me doing that. However, Spanish is not part of our curriculum but we consider it a bonus.

Songs also make a great way but usually I tell them how to say complimentary sentences like you are beautiful and you are nice.....

Good luck

[Unregistered]

Base your lessons on the things that they like. Hip Hop music, Sean John clothes and Cadillac Escalades with spinning rims. Use this to start up a conversation and have them speak or write as much as possible in Spanish. Use a "whole language" type approach the way you would teach early elementary reading and writing in English.

[Unregistered]

If the students are dyslexic then they may not be able to handle language.
I have had a student that tested in the 99% tile in the nation for intellegence but because of her learning diability need to have a language waiver. Make sure that your students are properly tested.

[Unregistered]

I used to teach spanish in my country for teenagers. The first thing that I discovered if if you don't present an interesting topic for them they will never be there for you. So, my recommendation is to do an interview and them a poll about what are they hobbies, favorite music, dreams and theme that they would like to learn about. After that, you must look for everything that could be related directly or not to the topic selected as a unit. Look for songs, pictures, movies, encourage them to develop mind maps, brochure of the topic, presentation to other classroom or parents. Look for a "Play" that they can represent and be interested in show to the public.Encourage the students to build the scenarios, customes and posible dance that could be include in the play. Also, establish a routine from the very beginning, like a song to start, weather report of the day, what unusual thing I see in my way to the class, A famous quote to discuss, and so on. Always smile, be positive and give them rewards ( stickers and positive and assertive phrase.) Your students need to see your love for this language "Spanish"