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Ben Fisher-Rodriguez

@mrfishersays.bsky.social
773 followers 369 following 821 posts

HS German and Spanish Teacher / Blog at MrFisherSays.com / Co-host of SLAyyy at slayyypod.com / NEA Foundation Teacher of Excellence 2024 / PNCFL Teacher of the Year 2023 / WAFLT Teacher of the Year 2022 / he/him

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Reposted by Ben Fisher-Rodriguez
Marcus Luther @marcusluther.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
One mistake I made early on in teaching: relying 100% on the showing and not nearly enough on the telling, especially when it came to my own perspective. So a boring answer but important, I've found: I tell them. I'm intentional in sharing w/ them how much I love teaching, the purpose I see, etc.
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Ben Fisher-Rodriguez @mrfishersays.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
I went with my husband to the Paramount Theater in Seattle last night to watch the movie "Metropolis" (1927) because my ASL teacher colleague was interpreting the opening and closing remarks and 1) that movie is just Right Now, except a hundred years ago and 2) ASL interpreters are SO RAD!!
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Reposted by Ben Fisher-Rodriguez
Marcus Luther @marcusluther.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Okay, well ⓵ I did way better than I thought I would and ⓶ definitely learned a few terms I had never heard of before! Anyone think they can beat 77% on this @edutopia.org quiz? www.edutopia.org/quiz/quiz-wh...
77% results on Edutopia quiz
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Reposted by Ben Fisher-Rodriguez
The 74 @the74.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
The Department of Education on Monday officially rescinded the Biden-era Title IX rule, which extended protections to LGBTQ students. The move, Education Secretary Linda McMahon said, will give parents “greater comfort” www.the74million.org/article/educ...
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Ben Fisher-Rodriguez @mrfishersays.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
I've been playing this game with my classes and it is a BANGER. Write statements using target vocabulary & kids from class. Have class guess if they're true/false. Ask the kids. +1 point per correct guess. Then PQA the hell out of it. SO COOL todallycomprehensiblelatin.blogspot.com/2026/09/true...
todallycomprehensiblelatin.blogspot.com
True/False PQAs using "Has"
At this past summer's CI Summit in Cincinnati , I had the privilege of watching Bryan Kandel demo a very simple, true/false purposefully com...
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Ben Fisher-Rodriguez @mrfishersays.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
On today, the day after Back to School Night, we will be reflectionmaxxing, in-class gamemaxxing, Herr Fisher-Rodriguez sittingmaxxing -
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Ben Fisher-Rodriguez @mrfishersays.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Gave a survey to my level 3 and 4 students and on average, they want to read about 40 minutes a week in German...yes...yes...all according to my plan...
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Ben Fisher-Rodriguez @mrfishersays.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
I NEVER regret giving students a survey asking how things are going in class, what they need, what they want to learn. I always learn so much, and it becomes a great puzzle-like challenge for me as a teacher to put together all the needs and wants.
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Ben Fisher-Rodriguez @mrfishersays.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Dang, the beginning of the year crud has struck. Lots of missing kids in each class. Doing salt water rinses, drinking vitamin C, and washing my hands obsessively from now until forever
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Ben Fisher-Rodriguez @mrfishersays.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
I really enjoyed this book! Chapters are short and to-the-point, and what I learned was easy to apply to my own content area. Recommend!
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Ben Fisher-Rodriguez @mrfishersays.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
I need to stop hanging out with my PLC, they got me acting wild and crazy and (checks notes) submitting spontaneous session proposals to my state conference!
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Ben Fisher-Rodriguez @mrfishersays.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
I've been toying with this idea for a while, and on Monday, I'm finally going to do it: We're going to have a gender reveal party, but for German nouns.
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Ben Fisher-Rodriguez @mrfishersays.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Me to class of 39: "Sorry I haven't got your compositions back to you, I accidentally scheduled it for the same day 2 of my other classes wrote compositions & I haven't had time to catch up." Student: "But, hear me out, if you didn't EVER assign anything...then you wouldn't have anything to grade!"
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Reposted by Ben Fisher-Rodriguez
Marcus Luther @marcusluther.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
“In my class of 39” shouldn’t be allowed to be something teachers say
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Ben Fisher-Rodriguez @mrfishersays.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Did a Condensing Content activity today: students took a reading, copied the 5 sentences they thought summarized the story best, and then had to come to a consensus with a partner about 5 sentences. Rereading, speaking the sentences aloud, listening, reasoning, building writing muscles...
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Ben Fisher-Rodriguez @mrfishersays.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Just walked into my ASL teacher colleague's classroom, and two former students (brothers!) had come just to chat it up with him in ASL. Warmed my lil heart!! Kids notice the love we put into our work!!!!
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Reposted by Ben Fisher-Rodriguez
Edutopia @edutopia.org · 17/09/2026
We rounded up teachers’ strongest bell ringer activities! 🔔
edutopia.org
23 Bell Ringers Teachers Love
We asked teachers for their favorite ways to start class. Nearly 400 responded—here are some of their best ideas.
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Ben Fisher-Rodriguez @mrfishersays.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Accidentally increasing my percentage of Target Language Usage because I get annoyed at having to speak English, my native language
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Reposted by Ben Fisher-Rodriguez
Joseph Rezek @rezekjoe.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
This is still the best metaphor
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Ben Fisher-Rodriguez @mrfishersays.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
This echoes a study we read for the pod re: school improvement: teachers who engaged in peer observation showed great growth in their teaching (vs. evaluative visits by administrators). BUT: time needs to built into their day for reflection, observation, and discussion. slayyypod.com/p/ep-07-slay...
slayyypod.com
Ep. 07 SLAyyy Observations
Gaslight: When have observations not been ideal?
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Reposted by Ben Fisher-Rodriguez
Benjamin Riley @benjaminjriley.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
What's happening with Alpha School is a massive scandal. It is the Theranos of education. What they are doing to children, denying the help of adults so they can beta test software, is *immoral*. I have worked in education for 20 years, this is the worst actor I've ever come across.
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Ben Fisher-Rodriguez @mrfishersays.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
I'm still in the part of the year where we're setting up routines and it is SO ANNOYING. Organize your binder this way, turn assignments in this way, respond to my questions this way. UGH. But man, when all of the routines are hitting in a couple weeks and we're just in 100% Learn Mode...worth it.
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Reposted by Ben Fisher-Rodriguez
SLAyyy Pod @slayyypod.com · 13/09/2026
Ben got to meet Sara Lee in person this weekend! We interviewed Sara on episode 15 about supporting students with dyslexia: rss.com/podcasts/sla...
rss.com
Ep. 15: SLAyyy Supporting Students with Dyslexia with Sara Lee | Podcast Episode on RSS.com
GaslightLack of Training and PreparationReading IEPs and 504sDiagnosis - or No?Gatekeep - Sara Lee, 2024 Southwest Conference on Language Teaching TOYFormative Assessment to Evaluate Strengths and Nee...
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Ben Fisher-Rodriguez @mrfishersays.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Really enjoyed learning from GEM Sara Lee about serving students with ADHD, autism, and dyslexia!
Ben and Sara smile at the camera in a selfie
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Reposted by Ben Fisher-Rodriguez
Diane Neubauer 杜雁子 @dianeneubauer.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Language teachers, the World Language Coaching Collaborative has a free, public webinar on 9/14 (8pm US Eastern): what the Collaborative is, how coaching strengthens instruction, & opportunities for teachers & coaches across world language. If you’re looking for support: wlcoaching.org/Events
wlcoaching.org
World Language Coaching Collaborative - Events
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Ben Fisher-Rodriguez @mrfishersays.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Meditating this morning, as I am benighted by a headache, on the ancient wisdom: "Thou shalt not have beef with a 15-year-old."
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Ben Fisher-Rodriguez @mrfishersays.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
The temptation with a lethargic class is to increase the speed to "boost the energy," but that can lead to the teacher rushing, not checking comprehension, missing opportunities for connection. I'm trying to find a way to be brisk, but unhurried.
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Ben Fisher-Rodriguez @mrfishersays.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Find us on Substack (accounts are free) at slayyypod.com/chat to chat with us tonight! I'm super stoked to dive into this book!!
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Ben Fisher-Rodriguez @mrfishersays.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Riding a very fine line in my large classes between having a calm, quiet atmosphere that helps prevent students from getting overstimulated, and creating a soporific atmosphere that lacks movement and necessary brain breaks...
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Ben Fisher-Rodriguez @mrfishersays.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Me making a seating chart for 40 students in my tiny room
Zach Galifianakis looks at numbers and formulas flying by and seems perplexed, much like Ben feels
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Ben Fisher-Rodriguez @mrfishersays.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
We have all had a class that was mysteriously, weirdly quiet. So what do we do? Here are some musings on things we might try in the Class That Just Doesn't Talk...! mrfishersays.com/my-class-tha...
mrfishersays.com
My Class That Just Won’t Talk
A conversation with my student teacher (who slays) about student engagement got me thinking about a situation that I think most of us have run into at one point or another: the class that just woul…
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Ben Fisher-Rodriguez @mrfishersays.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Realizing again how powerful Write and Discuss is as a strategy. The discussion shows me how comfortable students are getting with the language used in class that day, and the writing provides a powerful model for them to level up their performances. mrfishersays.com/write-and-di...
mrfishersays.com
Write and Discuss – An Essential Literacy Activity for Communicative Language Teaching
I have used Write and Discuss ever since I began teaching with CCLT strategies, but it was my experience with it at Comprehensible Cascadia last week in Portland that finally brought it all togethe…
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Ben Fisher-Rodriguez @mrfishersays.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
I get excited to start the year with my level 2+ students because they know me, I know them, & we can more or less just jump back into the language & routines we had previously. But I have to remember that they also need me to go SLOW. Shorter sentences, comprehension checks, lots of repetition...
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Ben Fisher-Rodriguez @mrfishersays.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Not sure how it happened this quickly but here I am on the first day of year 10!
Ben is in his kitchen and smiles at the camera while holding up a peace sign.  He’s wearing a shirt that says, “Ready!”
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Ben Fisher-Rodriguez @mrfishersays.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Geez, first period always gets the "first pancake" lesson, huh?
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Reposted by Ben Fisher-Rodriguez
Simple and Clean: A Kingdom Hearts Podcast @simpleandcleanpod.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
it’s always “low-key” this or “high-key” that, how come it’s never “may your heart be your guiding key”
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Ben Fisher-Rodriguez @mrfishersays.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Freshman orientation is happening today and an orientation group is in my room while I set up...everyone is so nervous!! Going to spend the first many days just reassuring my little chicken nuggets that everything will be all good! We're going to have fun!
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Ben Fisher-Rodriguez @mrfishersays.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
I had an idea to make 1-page "grammar commercial" sheets aligned to a textbook that 1) presented concepts in as learner-friendly/concise language as possible and 2) could be a guide for me of what to "pop up" during class. Here's what I made for Netzwerk neu A1: docs.google.com/presentation...
docs.google.com
Grammar Commercials (Netzwerk neu A1)
Grammatik-Werbespots! Netzwerk neu A1 - Kapitel 1
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Ben Fisher-Rodriguez @mrfishersays.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Ok so as a TGS listener I knew Dr. Aubin knew ball but I didn't know she KNEW ball
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Ben Fisher-Rodriguez @mrfishersays.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Today is the final day of summer for me before freshmen come back for orientation tomorrow. Trying to get my classroom in order, finish curriculum-creation projects that I know I'll abandon as soon as the workload gets heavier, and bonk my circadian rhythms into earlier falling asleep and waking.
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Reposted by Ben Fisher-Rodriguez
Diane Neubauer 杜雁子 @dianeneubauer.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Inaugural webinar from the World Language Coaching Collaborative: I'm a founding member of this new, nonprofit organization to promote language teaching & teacher PD. There will be online events & some in-person. Check out details at: wlcoaching.org/Events
wlcoaching.org
World Language Coaching Collaborative - Events
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Ben Fisher-Rodriguez @mrfishersays.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Every year, my German Club officers become less and less dependent on me, and it makes my heart sing to watch them grow as leaders. It makes it more fun for everyone! What helps: having a curated list of ideas to inspire them. docs.google.com/document/d/1...
docs.google.com
*German Club Ideas List
Submissions received from: https://forms.gle/8rtaFWpzmu4CvKDq9
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Ben Fisher-Rodriguez @mrfishersays.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
I've had this idea for years to just give students the four major rubrics I use over the course of the year all at once at the beginning of the year, discuss what they look like, and then prompt students to set goals with them. And it took a lot of copying, pasting, and formatting...but it's done!
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Ben Fisher-Rodriguez @mrfishersays.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Have you listened yet? Here I am on Claudia's podcast, talking about Choral Translation and Pop Up Grammar! growingwithproficiency.com/choral-trans...
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Ben Fisher-Rodriguez @mrfishersays.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Had my first "I'm trying to take attendance and it's taking forever and the kids are gradually getting more chaotic up until one is just lying on the floor for some reason" nightmare of the pre-school year
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Ben Fisher-Rodriguez @mrfishersays.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
New today: here's my episode of Growing with Proficiency with Claudia Elliott, discussing Choral Translation and Pop-Up Grammar! I love talking to Claudia and am proud of this convo: growingwithproficiency.com/choral-trans...
growingwithproficiency.com
Choral Translation and Pop-Up Grammar Without Losing Communication - Growing with Proficiency
Learn how to use Write and Discuss, choral translation and pop-up grammar without losing meaningful communication or comprehensible input.
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Ben Fisher-Rodriguez @mrfishersays.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
I'm really looking forward to learning more, especially how to do this with large classes of 30+ students!
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Ben Fisher-Rodriguez @mrfishersays.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
I'm currently reading "The Digital Delusion" by Jared Cooney Horvath and it has me so up in arms about the pervasiveness of tech in classrooms (and young people's lives in general) that I'm like...Donors Choose dot com send me a class set of slates and abacuses we're going lil house on the prairie
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Ben Fisher-Rodriguez @mrfishersays.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Shhh shhh everyone, my show is back on! (Conversations About Langauge Teaching is back with an episode about vertical alignment!) conversationsaboutlanguage.buzzsprout.com/2325378/epis...
conversationsaboutlanguage.buzzsprout.com
Episode 51: Vertical Alignment across Language Courses - Conversations about Language Teaching
“Vertical Articulation” definitionsAcquah, B. Y. S., & Owusu, A. A. (2021). Vertical Articulation and Content Relevance of the Senior High School Economics Curriculum: Case of Ghana. Asian Journal...
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Ben Fisher-Rodriguez @mrfishersays.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Got to talk to Claudia Elliott on her podcast (one of my favorites!!) today, and it was so fun. You want to learn about teaching language for proficiency? You HAVE to be listening to Growing With Proficiency: The Podcast! It's so good! growingwithproficiency.com/growing-with...
growingwithproficiency.com
Growing with Proficiency: The Podcast - Growing with Proficiency
Are you a World Language teacher who is looking for ideas, strategies, activities, and inspiration to create a World Language class?
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