Unlock with PatreonThe Problem with CI
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Alisa on CI
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5 thoughts on “Alisa on CI”
…If only I could have my lil guys read independently and write once in a while!…
So we see why so few elementary teachers use CI in WL instruction. It takes a special kind of teacher. They can’t just stop class and order up a dictee or a chapter book activity. We can at the upper levels. Thanks for the wake up call, Alisa.
Some groups have great energy, a natural leader, a loud ADHD distractor, … oh Alisa, I can so relate. I have a group of 22 1st graders with 5 kids who must have adhd. It’s very sad for them, really. They can’t help it. They cannot follow any rules for longer than 1.5 minutes and in the process they get the rest of the kids totally off their mini rockers . The other kids try to do the right thing but they’re 6 years old for goodness sake so there isn’t much impulse control, even without the ADD. So I end up with 4 or 5 kids not able to participate although I keep bringing them back in the circle and then having to send them back out (they lay down on other kids, etc) If anyone has suggestions for dealing with this I would be most grateful!
Mindee is it possible to bring in (or do yourself) some visualization/relaxation imaging techniques with these kids along the lines of Suggestopedia (which term you can search in the search bar here for more information).
Ben
Hey PLC friends, I’ve been outta the loop for a long while as I start up the school year in my own household and classroom. Anyway, I’ll do my best to check in more regularly, as I so enjoy the conversations.
As for 1st graders, you are commenting on this at a funky time. In my district, at least, we (still) have half-day play-based kindergarten (the last outpost?) so first grade is like joining the army. All day. Chairs. Papers. Instructions. All. Day. All. Week. And ours is a very excellent, developmentally appropriate program!!
My point is that those wee ones are so exhausted and are doing their best to adjust to the new reality. Some can sit and listen effortlessly. Others. Just. Can’t. (Sorry but I’m really into that one word followed by a period thing. I’ll stop. Now.
Who can say if 6 yr olds who need to move and get sensory input so frequently aren’t completely normal, and the expectations we put on them wayyyyy off base? Allow me to recount an experience – perhaps it’ll make my point better. For my first 20+ years in my district, “specials” classes (Art, Gym, Music, Library, Spanish) were phased in for the first graders. Spanish was the last special class to be phased in, often 4-6 weeks after school starts. This practice was carefully considered to insure that the class would first gel as a community, that the teachers would know the needs of their individual kids, who to separate, who needs a chair vs. sit at the rug, who needs close proximity to the teacher, etc. They would have already noticed/perhaps remediated habits such as constant blurting, invading others’ personal space, etc. This year in an effort to make all the elementary schools in our district look “consistent” with each other, I was told to start 1st grade Spanish immediately, rather than phase it in. It’s working ok in the classes without behavioral challenges, but is, as you might expect, premature for those groups that haven’t gelled yet.
All this to say, lower your language expectations to start. Work on building community and teaching the Ss the behavior that supports acquisition. Think simple. My 1st graders will wait to be the last person kissed on the nose by my iguana puppet. I can go around and ask 20 times, “Do you want a kiss? Here’s a kiss.” They are so young – we can’t be part of the “this is the army – conform!” movement. We have to take them where they are right now.
I’m not being preachy – I’m just sayin’ that we easily get caught up in our goals and lessons. Songs, chants, name tags, TPR, a simple story with some rejoinders….slowly.
When they feel (finally) safe and comfortable with you – that you’re not overburdening them with WORK, things will get better. Not necessarily easier, but better. Keep asking Qs, I’m here for you.
Alisa
Thanks Alisa. Great reminders about what I already know but repeatedly forget. The pressures of moving forward are so great. But I’m lucky I don’t have to test them until 5th grade!