Hello Ben, This is a question for the group. We in the department of FL have to come up with a curriculum 6-12 by the end of February. The French teacher is grammar-book based. I proposed to the coordinator that we have two curriculum one for each language, but she said only one was possible. […]
Tina sent me this from the new video course she is writing. It is from the first section called “Foundations of CI Instruction” and is a lecture on questioning techniques. She asked me to post it here so she can get feedback and ideas from the group. Here is the text that needs critiquing: I
I just can’t believe how finding the Invisibles is changing my work days. This is my first year as a full time teacher at a private school, and it’s been HARD. I’ve done difficult things before but nothing was as beyond my control and depressing as teaching at this school, for many reasons. Out of
Whenever I knew I was formally going to be observed, I always made sure that I “primed the pump” on the story or whatever I was doing on the day of the observation to make sure that the kids were comfortable (not brand new to) the subject matter for the class. I wanted them not
Schools are deteriorating: https://www.yahoo.com/news/m/bce2c0f5-5c60-3fc9-9e3f-03f984ed65a4/ss_adults-who-went-undercover-at.html
Carly wrote here a few days ago to Celeste: Your struggles are my struggles. Enjoy and appreciate those two classes where it is working, try things out on them, hone your skills on them and know that next year will be better because of it. Then do whatever it takes in the other 3 classes
It’s not complicated. All we need to do is include them. When we make our students feel like they belong in the group, they respond. Wouldn’t you? So that is why we build community first each year. The students don’t notice it because we are using the target language to do so, but really when
Julie sent us a jellybean: Here’s Donavan. He’s a jelly bean. He is my size, rides around in the sidecar of a motorcycle. He has 123 red ties. He bathes, but not in hot water. He’s a formidable futbolista because he rolls around like crazy to kick the ball.
To teachers who can’t get them to listen (due to dysfunction in the kids, previous bad experiences with other teachers, etc.) Tina gives this advice: Scale CI down to something that looks a lot like school. Pencils, paper, and immediate grades for written work. A plan: (1) Have them all turn in a little slip
Celeste in Chicago just began this work and is barreling along at high speed, but has run into all the predictable road blocks of attempting to change a class culture in mid-year. Anyone in the group who feels so inclined is encouraged to respond to any or all of Celeste’s four concerns below: Hi, Ben
Krashen and others in the 1960’s and 70’s designed the blueprint for the rocket ship (CI). Blaine Ray consciously studied that blueprint and in a move of sheer genius created the first CI rocket ship – TPRS (early 90’s). His was a non-targeted approach, reflecting the research. But over the next twenty years until now
