Resource for Practice at Home

Practice resources for the Q&A's from each unit of the Novice curriculum..
Unit 1 - Todo sobre mí
Unit 2 - Mi familia
Unit 3 - Mi casa
Unit 4 - Mi escuela
Unit 5 - Mis vacaciones

Duolingo: https://www.duolingo.com/ - I love this app!  It has won many awards, it is completely free, and there are even some school districts that have changed their language curriculum to align with Duolingo’s skill tree.  The lessons are quick, useful, and fun.  It provides extrinsic motivation by gamifying the practice.  Students can “friend” each other and compare their progress or compete against each other, and I can track their practice and progress.  If there’s no mobile device at home, students can practice at the website too.
Here is a short video about Duolingo: http://youtu.be/8OebgtUjLg4
Instructions for setup at home: https://goo.gl/miH7lr

There are two things to be aware of.  First, as students practice they earn gems that can be spent on things like bonus levels.  One bonus level is called "flirting", and it is not appropriate for 3rd - 5th graders.  So, in much the same way that we teach about digital citizenship on the web, I will inform them that the "flirting" level is not appropriate for them.  As their teacher, I can see what my students practice in my Duolingo dashboard, so this will be an easy one to enforce.  You can also check in with them too.

Second, the fourth level in Duolingo is Food. In this level students will learn the words for beer and wine. As with all vocabulary in Duolingo these words will be practiced in context (e.g. "The man drinks wine.") and will occasionally come up in later review sessions.  

We have started using Duolingo in class, and it is very easy to sign up on the app or website at home.  Simply choose “I already have an account” and then have your child sign in with Google using your their SAS email and password.  It will track progress across devices.  It is possible for multiple users to use the same device (iPad, etc.), but tricky. The website is easier.

Tiny Cards: https://tinycards.duolingo.com/ - This resource only works on an iOS device. It is from the creators of Duolingo and is a great way to practice with flashcards. I’ve only just started making content for my students that is specific to our curriculum, but they can find a wide variety of Spanish and other flashcard decks. In order for their progress in lessons the device must first be set up with their Duolingo account, then TinyCards will connect automatically.
Instructions for setup at home: https://goo.gl/miH7lr

Content Videos: https://goo.gl/Q8dcIM - this Google Document lists videos that teach or support the content of the Novice class. The document is in simple outline format and is far from polished, but is is a good resource nonetheless.

Tiny Tap: https://www.tinytap.it/activities/ - This iPad resource allows teachers to make games, activities, and stories for students. Once the lesson is downloaded they can access it from their iPad. They can access it from home too, but may have to login to do so. You may create an account for your child, or they may use the classroom account.

Raz Kids: https://www.raz-kids.com/ - is a great online library of leveled books that provides support for reading and motivates students to practice.  Students can use the app or the website.  Raz-Kids will read most books to the user, and then it gives them a chance to read the book themselves.  Reading is not the focus of the Novice class, but these books are great tools for increasing vocabulary and exposure to comprehensible input.  Here is an introductory video: https://www.raz-kids.com/videocontent/670.mp4

My YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/DMSSgg - My YouTube Channel is a place where I upload some of my own creations, but mostly I curate playlists of other videos that I hope are useful for my students.  

Señor Wooly: http://www.senorwooly.com/ - is a fantastic website full of wacky Spanish music videos.  The topics range from the boy who needs to go to the bathroom during class, to the girl who didn’t do her homework, to the boy who doesn’t want to get up and go to school.  They are funny, catchy, and great for Spanish practice.  Don’t be surprised if your child comes home singing a Señor Wooly song one day.  Here is a sample video: http://www.senorwooly.com/video/puedo-ir-al-bano

Thoughts about screen time:  I find myself in a bit of a conundrum.  The resources mentioned above are all great ways for your child to get more comprehensible input, but they all involve screen time.  I try to limit my own screen time and especially that of my own children, and as such I completely understand if you do not want your son or daughter to be at the computer or on a device in the evening. Flux and Night Shift are tools I use that turn down blue light on computers and iOS devices in the evenings.