Question

This is a situation where I feel the group’s combined experience is needed to provide a good answer to Kara’s question:

Hey Ben,

I have 10 Middle School classes (divided into 3 preps; Beg, Int and Advanced) and trying to do OWI at this time feels too much. I would say that out of those 10 classes, 8 are with me – they don’t miss the “traditional, textbook classroom.”

1. So, do I get Anne Matava’s book and work with that so I’m not feeling like I’m always creating something new, and also to somewhat keep them “together?” Also so I can “prove” to my colleagues that they are learning structures? (Since she lists the structures.)

There is just so much to read on the blog and I’m feeling like I can’t learn everything I need to know fast enough cause at the end of the day, I’m exhausted from talking so much.

2. Should I just celebrate that I’m speaking in French more in class than I have in years?

3. When do I know it’s time to introduce reading with SSR? I think my Admin is on board with getting me some readers (from A-Z readers as mentioned in our workshop by a participant) but they might not be ordered for months.

I’m sort of at the point where I need to know “where do I go next?” I start every class with Date/Weather and I’ve been expanding that to past/present/future. Then I’ve been doing a story with circling, retells, and other ideas modeled in the workshop.

Thanks Ben,

Kara