Teach vocab with Prezi
9Introduce new vocabulary with PREZI!
I am teaching all LEVEL 1 Spanish right now and I always struggle coming up with interesting ways to introduce the new vocab without a direct translation. It’s easy if the words are congates, but some words are harder to explain. Besides, we all know it is better to LEARN new words in context.
Today I just started a new unit called “What I like to do” (clever, I know!) so students can talk about the activities they like or don’t like to do. Instead of giving a vocab list I gave them a blank sheet of paper and a popsicle stick. I told them their job is to LISTEN and jot down notes when they hear or see something that they want to remember.
I also told them to feel free to jump in the conversation – as long as it is in SPANISH. If they spoke English I take the stick and the only way to get it back is to participate again. I’m don’t usually force them to use ONLY Spanish, but today I really wanted to make sure they were listening and this is my best way to ensure I have their attention. If they still have the stick at the end – they get “credit” for the day.
I used a PREZI that I made up last night. (Screenshot is above but if you have never see one in action you NEED to check out the link below ) The one I made is not life changing, but it is so much more personal than a powerpoint. We simply looked at pictures and I told them some of my opinions and asked them questions. I also wrote “pienso que= I think that” “porque= because” and “con = with” on the board for them to refer to when I used them.
I know this is not a breakthrough idea and language teachers do this all the time, but it was an awesome day and it feels good to do a good job, see students sucessful, AND know your students were engaged. Several students told me – “That was so fun learning all those words today!”
Such a good reminder that the INPUT that language students receive is SO important! They need someone to model it for them before they can produce it themselves. The PREZI made it more interesting for them and much easier for me to put the words in context!
Here’s my PREZI if you want to check it out… http://prezi.com/euxp5buuiut0/que-te-gusta-hacer/?auth_key=4707f180e4fb0bb84dbe164fc1e8256a4d8d56aa
Megan
rachel573
Kara
Hi Megan,
I am trying to learn Prezi, Is there a way I can download and edit your prezi? I wanted to add the “a” Jugar al beisbol…
Thanks for your site — I am soooo happy I found it.
She’s away on vacay right now. I think there is a way to share/edit, but I don’t know off the top of my head. She noticed some typos, but didn’t have time to fix them. I’ll make sure she knows about your comment as soon as she gets back.
Was this Prezi ever updated? I am interested in also using it, if allowed.
Sorry Tammy! I tried sharing it and it just ended up being a link that edited my copy. The good news is that Prezi now has a few templates that you can use all you have to do is put in your information and mark the path (order) you want it to take! It’s fun to play with!
I will try it. Thanks
Hi,
How do put the accent mark on the words?
I’m sure there is a better way, but I type words that need accents in a word document and then copy and paste it in the Prezi.
Hola, thanks for the inspiring idea to use Prezi. I recently made this presentation for my Spanish 1 class to introduce the lugares vocabulary.
http://prezi.com/dbguaqgj_4kf/los-lugares/?auth_key=10409e5958b4535a1b1d241532c27c52901204ea&kw=view-dbguaqgj_4kf&rc=ref-3965324
¡Hola! What a great prezi and wonderful blog! Thank you for all your hard work and for sharing it with us all! You have inspired me to use prezi again in my classroom! I had created this one prezi (see link below) but now I’d like to create more!
By the way, there IS a way to make a prezi “Public & Reusable.” Just go to your prezi and on the bottom right there should be a “public” button next to the “trash” button. If you click on the “public” button, you can select “public and reusable” to allow others to save a copy of it, like I have done for mine below.
Would you be willing to make yours reusable? If you are, could you let me know? I’d love to reuse it! It’s wonderful!
Thanks again for everything and here’s the link to mine:
http://prezi.com/amulcxpflmbc/proyecto-cuando-era-pequena/?kw=view-amulcxpflmbc&rc=ref-1065852