We are upgrading the PLC software this week. Among other updates, we are adding a forum for discussion that will allow more pointed communication between group members. It is unacceptable that questions, especially from new group members, get lost or unanswered because they scroll out too fast or because I can’t get to all of them in the […]
A repost: Q. I started CWB with my first years (2 classes/week) and because I didn’t have the hang of it, it lost steam. I changed to a bit of TPR to keep energy levels up but realize that I really need to complete CWB. How would you recommend I restart it? A. You don’t
An interesting drama is unfolding with one of our group members. It’s one of those stories kind of like Angie’s last year, where the rudeness of children shakes the novice teacher into reconsidering the field of teaching even when the teacher has great talent. In this case it is a teacher in her first year but
Our own PLC members Kristin Duncan and Chris Stoltz will be presenting on comprehension based teaching in Canada next month. Kristin reports: Hi Ben, The Second Languages and Intercultural Council (SLIC) Annual Conference is coming up on October 25 and 26 in Canmore, Alberta. Chris Stoltz and I will be both be presenting on TPRS
We’ve been having a conversation about Student Growth Objectives (SGOs) or Student Learning Objectives (SLOs) as they are called in some places. Below are my last six over the past three years – we have to turn in two per year. I met four objectives and failed to meet two. So really everything is in how you
I got a few questions from a group member: Q. TPRS in a Year! has been a fascinating read so far. Thank you so much for this great resource. I’m at the point now where I’d like to try some simple stories in my classes. I was thinking of adapting the textbook vocabulary and trying
After last week’s report from Deena I asked her to contribute with regular, possibly weekly, reports. I feel that other people can benefit greatly from these reports from Deena. Here is her second report: Good morning Ben, I started the week really concentrating on SLOW…I am thinking that I didn’t do that great of a job…lots
Ben, I’m on a prep now, but I cannot contain myself. Tears are welling up in my eyes. This is my first year using TPRS and CI, and I dived into Circling with Balls with all my 7th and 8th graders. They are COMPLETELY into it. I’ve shocked them AND myself by staying in Spanish
My grade book is just a little place to drop a few numbers in from time to time. The numbers describe the easy little quizzes we take at the end of class sometimes and some of the other easy activities that kids enjoy doing in class. I also put in numbers to rate the kids’
Our PLC member Laura Avila has done something remarkable. She teaches in Maine in the same building with Anne Matava, who filed this report: My colleague Laura told me today that a former student of hers just placed into the highest Spanish class (500-level) as a freshman at the university. Laura works harder than anyone
This is a most welcome report from Angie. Those who remember the year she went through last year will want to read this. Here is a link to that other article if you want to read it first: https://benslavic.com/blog/2012/10/25/angie-dodd/ The work Angie is doing now is not a high status job. But it is true work and so
James shares his mission statement for this year and it consists of just one word: No amount of student unrest or pride, no amount of pressure from administrators, schedules, or parents, and no amount of misdirected, self-serving personal goals will make me go even a bit faster than all my students can understand.
