…noticing students means we are “showing up” for them means more kids will “show up” for us….
…but why do we have to capture it on paper? We don’t have to, technically. It’s a safety net for some teachers (those who are being bullied) and for some kids-especially those who need to see growth on paper….
…(My ELL) kids are inundated with papers showing what they can’t do: they missed 3 questions here and partial credit there. We have to counter-act that (maybe not foreign language so much) with “here’s what you can do.”….
…they don’t have to master points of grammar or thematic vocabulary lists. We just “notice” (with a rubric) what they can do “often” “sometimes” or “occasionally” through holistic and quantifiable observations of tasks….
…use a rubric. Notice kids. Don’t test. That’s all….
…someone recently pointed out that ESL and Foreign Language are very different and I’m 100% with Ben that the most important thing is the mental health. If this is too much for you, who have larger classes, please don’t do it. Don’t make extra work for yourself….