Finding the perfect authentic resource can be challenging. Does the content match what I want to teach? Can I use the resource at an age appropriate level? There are times I spend hours trying to find the “perfect” resource. Perhaps it isn’t about finding the perfect resource, but rather a resource that can be used in the perfect way.
Base your vocabulary on the resource and not the other way around.
Finding a resource with all of the vocabulary words you hope to teach is near impossible. Instead, find the resource first and pull the vocabulary list from there. Focusing on cognates and other familiar words or phrases can also help the resource better meet your needs.
There is no resource too difficult.
As an elementary level teacher, many resources seem daunting at first, but breaking an article or infographic into pieces can help ease the anxiety. One resource can be used over a period of multiple days to attract students’ attention to certain information.
Base your vocabulary on the resource and not the other way around.
Finding a resource with all of the vocabulary words you hope to teach is near impossible. Instead, find the resource first and pull the vocabulary list from there. Focusing on cognates and other familiar words or phrases can also help the resource better meet your needs.
There is no resource too difficult.
As an elementary level teacher, many resources seem daunting at first, but breaking an article or infographic into pieces can help ease the anxiety. One resource can be used over a period of multiple days to attract students’ attention to certain information.
 Day 1  Day 3 |  Day 2  Day 4 |
Another way to help students wade through a large amount of information is to have them start by highlighting cognates and any other word they know. It helps students realize how much they already know and can help activate background knowledge.
Create an interpretive to help focus the information.
The activities that go along with the resource can help guide students’ thinking and lead them in the right direction. By pulling certain words or phrases, you direct their attention to what you think is important. By adding pictures, some of the more difficult words can become more clear as well.
Create an interpretive to help focus the information.
The activities that go along with the resource can help guide students’ thinking and lead them in the right direction. By pulling certain words or phrases, you direct their attention to what you think is important. By adding pictures, some of the more difficult words can become more clear as well.
Although the article doesn’t mention all of these causes of extinction for bees, these are words/phrases students will see over and over again. Not only do they unintentionally learn vocabulary, but also know they are looking for certain words.
Once they find the word, they have to find evidence from the picture to prove it. Instead of trying to read the entire infographic, students know to focus their attention on one specific piece.
Once they find the word, they have to find evidence from the picture to prove it. Instead of trying to read the entire infographic, students know to focus their attention on one specific piece.
Search in the target language.
It seems simple enough, but it can often drastically change the results. Still not getting what you want? Search Google Spain or Mexico, for example, by just changing the ending. Instead of images.google.com try searching images.google.mx.
Use social media.
Twitter and Instagram are great resources for finding authentic resources. Follow the accounts of governments, music critics, and news outlets. Some of my favorite Twitter accounts are BuzzFeed México (@BuzzFeedMexico) for fun quizzes and articles with easily decipherable language, @Gobiernodechile for initiatives and news straight from Chile, and @CulturaenBta for the cultural happenings in and around Bogota, Colombia. For great Instagram accounts in Spanish, check out my previous post on Top Instagram Accounts For The Spanish Classroom.
What tips do you have for finding the perfect authentic resource?
It seems simple enough, but it can often drastically change the results. Still not getting what you want? Search Google Spain or Mexico, for example, by just changing the ending. Instead of images.google.com try searching images.google.mx.
Use social media.
Twitter and Instagram are great resources for finding authentic resources. Follow the accounts of governments, music critics, and news outlets. Some of my favorite Twitter accounts are BuzzFeed México (@BuzzFeedMexico) for fun quizzes and articles with easily decipherable language, @Gobiernodechile for initiatives and news straight from Chile, and @CulturaenBta for the cultural happenings in and around Bogota, Colombia. For great Instagram accounts in Spanish, check out my previous post on Top Instagram Accounts For The Spanish Classroom.
What tips do you have for finding the perfect authentic resource?
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