Acquisition Ideas for Use of Saber/Conocer

These two verb forms of "to know" are not used interchangeably in Spanish.  To help simplify this, the instructor had students make index cards one with each verb.  On them students wrote all the conjugations, then wrote what to look for in the sentence to help determine which verb to use.  In addition, the instructor gave a definition of what each verb meant then asked questions to class in addition to giving examples.  Students then worked in pairs, first writing a question down, then having the other student answer with "yo"  Student read their questions and responses aloud in class. Instructor corrected errors by recasting. Class then did exercises in textbook and for homework to further develop and reinforce knowledge of the verbs.  The following class, the instructor addressed any questions students' had.