Welcome to the Poolside!

This exciting summer season kicked off with a splash as Dagoberto Polanco, Carolyn Taylor, and Amy Rill welcomed educators to the 7th annual Poolside Proficiency live webinar series. Designed to offer a laid-back yet meaningful professional learning experience, this event focused on Comprehensible Input (CI) and Target Language (TL) Use in the classroom. 

Below is a helpful recap of what we discussed during the live webinar: 

Goals for the Session 

• Revisit and reflect on Splash 1 and Splash 2 resources.
• Deepen understanding of Comprehensible Input strategies.
• Explore actionable ways to increase target language use with students. 

Splash 1: Comprehensible Input for Output 

Participants reflected on resources from Splash 1, which emphasized input-rich instruction. Highlights included: 

• Blog post: "The Journey to 90%+ Target Language Instruction"
• Podcast: "Way More Than TPR" featuring Matt Russoniello
• Strategies such as sentence starters, word walls, and chatmats
• Encouragement to balance TL use with “intentional English” when necessary 

🔑 Key Takeaway: Establish routines early and support students with scaffolds to keep instruction comprehensible and effective. 

Sharing Successes & Challenges

Educators used a collaborative whiteboard to share: 

• Successes like movie talks, consistent reading routines, and brief periods of 100% TL use.
• Challenges such as personal proficiency, student motivation in online settings, and sustaining TL use. 

Solutions discussed included: 

• Modeling, gesturing, and using cognates
• Simplifying directions
• Empowering students with ownership and agency
• Building routines early to reduce confusion later 

Setting Goals for the Year 

Next, educators set short- and long-term goals for providing comprehensible input to students: 

• Reaching 90%+ TL use consistently
• Encouraging student speech through daily questions
• Using visuals and word banks to support comprehension
• Stepping outside personal comfort zones to model risk-taking 

Splash 2: Strategies to Increase Target Language Use 

Carolyn transitioned to Splash 2 and focused on strategies to increase TL in the classroom. 

Amy provided a second whiteboard for participants to brainstorm actionable ideas. 

Strategies included: 

• Theme Days (Lectura Lunes, Música Martes, etc.)
• Gestures and visual aids
• Giving all directions in TL
• Creating word journals and proficiency walls
• Classroom management routines in TL (e.g., asking to use the restroom) 

One participant shared an engaging “Español on the board” game, erasing a letter each time English is used—adding accountability in a playful way. 

Building a Culture of Risk and Support 

The hosts emphasized the importance of building a classroom community: 

• One where mistakes are expected and embraced as learning tools
• Where peer support reinforces TL use
• Where teacher vulnerability (like stepping outside their comfort zone) models bravery 

Carolyn reminded attendees that visual supports paired with clear expectations help students feel confident and capable of using TL regularly. 

Looking Ahead: Splash 3 & Splash 4 

Participants were encouraged to explore Splash 3 and 4 ahead of the next live session on August 11. Two resources not to be missed: 

• Splash 3: Talking to Students & Stakeholders About Proficiency
  • Stay tuned for the podcast: “Differentiate So All Students Can Learn a Language with Valerie Rossi”
• Splash 4: Providing Level-Appropriate Language
  • Stay tuned for the podcast: “Building a Target Language Discourse Community with Rebecca Blouwolff” 

Final Thoughts & Feedback 

The event wrapped with a call to: 

• Revisit the collaborative whiteboards for future planning.
• Join us in future PD offerings in the 2025–2026 school year. 

Here are some favorite takeaways from those who attended:

• "Use intentional English and make it part of a routine."
• "Establish routines from Day 1."
• "Theme days keep students engaged and anticipating."
• "Let students cheer each other on in TL!"
• "It's not about perfection, it's about progress." 

Thanks for Diving Into Poolside Proficiency! 

Your presence and commitment to growth during your summer break speaks volumes, and the Wayside Professional Learning Team is here to continue supporting you every step of the way!

Join Our Next Live Session

August 11 | 2PM ET
Make a Splash When Talking about Proficiency and Using Level-Appropriate Language 

👉 Register to reserve your spot  

Webinar produced by Amy Rill
Hosted by Dagoberto Polanco & Carolyn Taylor
Brought to you by the Wayside Publishing Professional Learning Team