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¿Quieres planear tu próxima unidad sin caer en el “más de lo mismo”?

En este episodio te llevo paso a paso por cómo diseño una unidad comunicativa, usando el idioma como vehículo para explorar el mundo, no como el objetivo en sí.

Te comparto el marco de Creciendo con Competencia que utilizo —un enfoque que va más allá de enseñar estructuras sueltas— para ayudarte a crear experiencias con sentido, con intención y con propósito comunicativo.

Este episodio nace de una sesión de Planeando Juntos en la Academia, donde una profe preguntó:
¿Qué puedo hacer con mis estudiantes de Español 3 y 4 en mayo?

Usamos el 5 de mayo como ejemplo, pero lo que verás aquí aplica a cualquier unidad cultural o temática que tú quieras explorar en clase.

🔍 En este episodio descubrirás:

• Cómo partir de una idea poderosa (no de una lista de vocabulario)
• Por qué es clave definir el lenguaje funcional, no solo palabras temáticas
• Qué significa tener un can-do realista y comunicativo
• Cómo estructuro mi ciclo de instrucción para mantener el input al centro
• La importancia de cerrar con reflexión y conexión, no solo con actividades finales

📣 ¿Y la sorpresa?

Del 12 al 19 de mayo abriré una experiencia gratuita de 7 días dentro de la Academia.
Podrás explorar una unidad completa del currículum Creciendo, ver cómo la aplico paso a paso y obtener ideas prácticas para cerrar tu año con intención.

🎟️ Únete a la lista de espera → http://growingwithproficiency.com/academy

Más recursos:

📕 Recurso de Cinco de Mayo

🏪 Tienda de TPT

🎧 Episodio 145: Read and Draw with a Twist: How Hieroglyphics Can Boost Comprehension

Looking for a Text about Cinco de Mayo for Your Class? 🎉

Are you looking for a compelling, engaging text to teach your students about Cinco de Mayo, along with ready-to-use activities? I’ve got you covered!

Head over to growingwithproficiency.com/cincodemayo and grab your copy today!

✅ Simple, high-quality text
✅ Activities that will keep your students engaged
✅ Perfect for

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In this episode of Growing with Proficiency, we dive into a creative twist on the classic Read and Draw activity that takes student comprehension to the next level! We share an innovative classroom strategy that transforms how students engage with texts, using hieroglyphics-inspired symbols to boost memory, collaboration, and creativity. Learn how this activity, backed by research showing drawing nearly doubles recall, encourages students to replace words with illustrations, fostering deeper text understanding without the pressure of artistic skills.

From group challenges to lively peer discussions, discover how students reimagined a story from the Creciendo curriculum, swapping symbols and retelling narratives with enthusiasm. Packed with practical tips, this episode is perfect for educators looking to refresh reading activities while keeping comprehension and engagement front and center. Tune in for actionable ideas.

Resources

🏫 Join our waitlist for Growing With Proficiency The Spanish Teacher Academy
👩🏽‍💻 Our Blog: Growing With Proficiency
📥 Free Lesson: Animales en Desastres Naturales
📲 Join our free FB Community: Growing With CI
📳 Follow us on social: IG @claudiamelliott | FB @claudiamelliott
🖇️ TPT Store: Growing With Proficiency

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AI tools are popping up everywhere — but can we use them in a way that still aligns with second language acquisition and communication-centered teaching?

In this episode, I’m walking you through how I use AI — especially ChatGPT — in my Spanish classroom without losing the heart of what we do as CI teachers. I’ll share the 5 tools I actually use (and how I stack them), plus the mindset I bring into every lesson to make sure my students get compelling, comprehensible, and connected input.

Whether you're new to AI or already experimenting with it, this episode will give you ideas, inspiration, and lots of teacher-to-teacher encouragement.

💡 Here’s what you’ll hear:

• Why AI can support (not replace) your teaching
  
  
• How I use Voice Control for ChatGPT to co-create texts that are meaningful and level-appropriate
  
  
• My exact workflow for stacking 4 AI tools to save time and still create quality input
  
  
• Tips for using Gamma, Mote, Quizziz, QuestionWell, and Diffit
  
  
• Why your voice, experience, and connection with students matter more than any tool

🛠️ Tools & Resources Mentioned:

• Free story: Los animales en los desastres naturales
  
  
• Gamma (Slide Deck Generator)
  
  
• Voice Control for ChatGPT (Chrome Extension)
  
  
• Mote for Voice Support
  
  
• Quizziz Game-Based Review
  
  
• QuestionWell AI Quiz Builder
  
  
• Diffit – AI Resource Builder for Teachers

📣 Let’s Stay Connected

If this episode was helpful, share it with a language teacher friend or tag me on Instagram @claudiamelliott.

💌 And if you’re a Spanish teacher, don’t forget to join the waitlist for Growing With Proficiency: The Spanish Teacher Academy at growingwithproficiency.com/academy — so you’re the first to know when doors open again!

🎙️ Do your students love animals?
Yeah… I already know the answer.
Because if there’s one thing that gets every single one of my students to say “aww” or light up with a smile… it’s animals. 🐶🐱🐘

Now imagine combining that universal love with a real-world topic like natural disasters—and boom 💥—you’ve got a compelling, ready-to-use lesson that sparks curiosity and builds empathy.

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