Anne Matava sent this question in, with my answer below it, in about the spring of 2016. I am publishing it here for Jennifer: One of my classes has gone completely NT. About 2 months ago they created a character and the whole thing has exploded into this long, drawn-out epic story in installments. We […]
Sometimes I get really lazy. Or perhaps it’s just a normal response to a world where people work themselves like mules and then wonder why they collapse. Whatever, below is my so-called “Fast Fourward” activity (because sometimes I want to fast forward my class and have it end when it feels like it’s just supposed
The video retell gives you a chance to review the entirety of the story without interruption. The actors re-create the action on camera while you simply narrate the story from off-camera. You can add in props, other actors, sound effects (students provide them), perhaps adding in a bit more dialogue, whatever strikes you in the
Here is a photo – published before in these pages – of one of the happiest moments of my life. I was just hanging out in the French language with my Latino students on the west side of Denver in 2014. Krashen was in the room at the time. I was soiling my pants, but
This is from Sarah Downey: So,… I went to work today even though I have been sick since the 23rd and feel and look awful because today I get to teach all day. As my day unfolded, half way through my vice principal comes in to do an observation. Just my luck feeling really bad
Jen wrote this and it cuts to the chase big time: I am trying to spend the least amount of time possible thinking about, entering and scheming the grades. It is such an energy suck. But inevitably I get sidetracked by CI teachers who have these elaborate systems and who address every point in ACTFL
Jen sent this: https://www.npr.org/2017/11/13/563734736/priest-responds-to-gang-members-lethal-absence-of-hope-with-jobs-and-love
I’m not even sure who wrote this but here is a link to a little reader: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Starla-la-Destructora-3497772 Also Greg wrote one: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/El-chico-salvaje-A-short-story-FVR-SSR-e-book-for-CI-Spanish-teachers-3510365
I love this comment from Greg. It has a very in-your-face quality to it: In the USA most people have taken 2-4 years of a language in their lifetime, yet they show little proficiency and interest in other languages. Unfortunately, with the exception of teachers on this blog and those that actively go to conferences
We can avoid conflict by even saying to anyone, including our students, that we use CI. Steven suggested today that we call common assessments “surveys”. I think that is a brilliant idea. It softens everything. A few weeks ago Amy suggested that we call our auditory CI (stories, etc.) “listening activities”. This is equally brilliant.
Carly recently commented here on the subject of grading kids – find the text below. I find her statements to be powerful and true, except for one, the part about grading “behavior”. I would replace that sentence (in the third paragraph) with a recommendation that we learn to grade in our students what I call
