Melissa sends great news:
Just thought I’d share my success. I had a breakthrough day today circling. I was circling likes and focused on food. It was awesome. We ended up in one class with Diego likes to eat oreos everyday in the bathroom because they give him power. It was awesome. It took the whole period to get to that but the kids were so into it. It was the best feeling. I never had it go that well. When a student who doesn’t always get it shouted out the answer in confidence to one of the newer question words , I felt like I won the lottery in that moment. Again, they left saying how fast the period flew by. It happened again in the next class with fried chicken (we acted out being a chicken, which my 8th graders liked) and other reasons. I haven’t done a story yet but I am getting ready. I know not all my days will be like this. When we say “doesn’t like” one kid in one of my classes always makes the same weird sound and it really helped to engage all the kids even though the sound was not my favorite. I just went with it since they thought it was hilarious.
I can’t believe how well my students can respond to the question words: Who? and What? Better than ever before. Now I am adding more in with pausing and pointing, but we’ve done the others sooo much that they will know these so well when they go next year.
Your posts have been helping me to remember to get my own groove. Use what I am reading and what I have learned but essentially I need to figure out how this works for me. I know Anne said she doesn’t know how anyone can use her stories because they are personal to her class, but for someone like me, they will be helpful template in the beginning. Then, I’ll go it on my own. I am so excited for next school year to start this 100%.
Thanks again…