Donna Tatum-Johns | Donna Tatum-Johns

Binge-Worthy: Using a Target Language TV Series to Engage Language Learners

ACTFL 2024 was unforgettable for so many reasons. It was the perfect opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, learn from incredible educators and make meaningful connections…

Donna Tatum-JohnsJanuary 10, 2025

Community Building Lesson Planning

Toc Toc : A French Twist on an Engaging Classroom Game!

While browsing through Instagram recently, I stumbled upon an intriguing activity known as "Boom, Clap, Snatch." Though I regret not being able to credit the…

Donna Tatum-JohnsOctober 24, 2023

Community Building Lesson Planning

Teacher Trivia : Building Classroom Community with a Twist!

Navigating the start of the school year can feel a tad nerve-wracking, whether you're a first-time kindergartener or a seasoned high school senior. But what…

Donna Tatum-JohnsSeptember 4, 2023

Community Building

Seven

At the start of the 2021-2022 school year, I did a community-building experiment that rocked my world and had a huge impact on my teaching.…

Donna Tatum-JohnsOctober 25, 2022

Classroom Management

The Secret Number

In an acquisition-driven classroom, everything we teach should be purposeful. But when teaching something like numbers, it can feel daunting & unnatural. That is where…

Donna Tatum-JohnsSeptember 27, 2022

Community Building

Name Game & Pass the Chicken

Can we agree that knowing each other's names, correct pronunciation and all, is crucial in building a strong sense of community within any group? Can…

Donna Tatum-JohnsSeptember 12, 2022

Classroom Management

Part I – “Social” Scaries Meets an Experiment

My dad, whose life was sadly cut short because of COVID in January of 2021, raised me with an appreciation for hard work, a job…

Donna Tatum-JohnsJuly 6, 2022

Classroom Management

Part II: The Challenge

I had nothing to lose because everything was so blah. I have known Michele Whaley for years but had never had the good fortune to…

Donna Tatum-JohnsJuly 6, 2022

Classroom Management

Part III: Magical Moments

With the first six weeks under my belt, I took stock of where each class stood regarding community. The vibe was good… no, the vibe…

Donna Tatum-JohnsJuly 6, 2022

Remote Teaching

Creating Content During Remote Teaching

Two weeks after the start of remote teaching, my school’s scheduled spring break began. And it couldn’t have come at a better time. I was…

Donna Tatum-JohnsApril 22, 2020