Like the report we got from Jeffery today, Joe brings happy news. It’s a good thing to read two positive reports in one day!
So I wanted to give everyone an update to my situation which was posted back in September 2013.
First, though, I want to thank everyone for their support, kind words and advice. This PLC is definitely a safe haven and without a doubt my go-to for resources, advice, etc.
So, as you all know the main concern my supervisor had with me using TPRS/CI was that my students weren’t going to be exposed to enough of the thematic vocabulary as the students in other classes. However, thanks to the advice I received from Ben and many others on here, that issue as been tackled. They get the lists that everyone else gets, but I only focus on the high frequency stuff in class and they use my website and quizlet for exposure and practice with the other vocabulary. I have to assess them on those words so I do.
Since I am a new teacher in the district, I meet with my supervisor once every week. Over the months since September I have been slowly educating her on TPRS/CI. Because of those conversations and the few pop-ins that she has done she now trusts me that I will get my students to where they “need” to be based on the district requirement.
Fast forward, last week I invited the principal in to observe a TPRS/CI lesson – it was story creation day. He was an English teacher in the same building for about 14 years. He is very educated (including educated about language acquisition and language acquisition research), nice, approachable – just an all around nice guy.
I had my post-observation meeting with him today and he really liked the lesson. He said he could see the techniques, which are supported by research, being used by me to help my students acquire the language. There are many other good things he had to say, but I won’t bore you with that. The important thing here is that he supports me, understands WHY I do what I do and teach the way I teach. He is even interested in me giving a presentation to my department on the TPRS/CI method.
So thank you everyone for your support through what began as stressful beginning of the school year. You have helped me not to give up on CI and to push forward to do what is right for my students!