Slo-Mo Sloths! Cool Animals in South America for Beginning Spanish Learners

ABOUT THE CLASS: 
This one-time class is designed that students will increase their proficiency in Spanish through the medium of learning about compelling topics.  This session's compelling topic is about the fascinating sloth from South America.  It will be taught 100% in Spanish with a couple "momentos en ingles- moments in English" where I will take a moment at the beginning to make sure students understand the pass option & what the stars are that I will be holding up during the session.  The reason I have this "momento en ingles" is part of making sure I create a safe & encouraging learning environment.

WHAT IS THE "PASS OPTION"?
While I do call on all students, I offer them to pass or express that they need more time to think.  We do this by using non-verbal cues at the beginning of the session during the rules.  

WHAT ARE "MOMENTOS EN INGLES"?
I do have a "momento en ingles- English moment" where I briefly make sure students understand the pass option & non-verbal cues.  This helps ease anxiety students sometimes feel when feeling the pressure to respond in a new language.  Students are also allowed to respond to my questions in Spanish because that still demonstrates understanding and beginning students in one 30 minute session would not be equipped to say all they want to say in Spanish.

WHAT IS MY 10 STAR GUARANTEE?
During the lesson, learners will earn stars to celebrate their participation & answering challenge questions, & just plain doing their best.  I will hole punch a card with the number of stars earned during the session.  The card will roll over into another session if the child continues to take sessions with me.  When she earns 10 stars, she will receive 50% off her next session.

WHAT TOPICS WILL BE COVERED?
This one-time class is designed that students will increase their proficiency in Spanish through the medium of learning about compelling topics. We will learn 3-5 interesting facts about sloths, a few key high frequncy phrases & volcabulary terms.
-Sloth's habitats
-Sloth's habits
-Describing observations about sloths

MY TEACHING STYLE:
My teaching style is interactive to give students the opportunity to not only gain understanding of the concepts in another language but will build their spoken & written proficiency as well.  I use gestures, props, cognates & a lot of praise during the session.  During the lessons, when students answer challenge questions I hold up a star & I tally them.  When students earn 10 stars over their span of taking lessons from me, they will earn 50% off on their next lesson.  Students are not forced to participate but I try to create a safe learning environment where students are brave to participate.  I do not expect perfect use of Spanish, in fact they are permitted to respond in English & with non-verbal cues  I use google slides, mini lectures, games, written & spoken reflections.  

THE GENERAL LAYOUT OF CLASS:
-Introductions 1-2 mins
-Review class norms 1-2 mins
-Review session hand signals (1-2)
-Brief teaching of some key phrases & vocabulary (3-5 mins)
-Learn 3-5 interesting facts about sloths (10 mins)
-Review Trivia Game (5 mins)
-Closing Activity/ Adios (5 mins)

IS PRIOR LANGUAGE EXPERIENCE REQUIRED?
This is designed for a new Spanish learner.  No experience is needed; however, student should understand that the session will be conducted in Spanish & the teacher will use rephrasing in Spanish until comprehensibility is reached.