Unlock with PatreonThe Problem with CI
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Reflection Piece
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8 thoughts on “Reflection Piece”
Jen, Thanks so much for sharing your journey. I love the life jacket and sturdy boat image. I was also thinking about what you said about the one person speaks at a time. My French 1’s are doing a lot of hand raising – love it – we are never happy – raising your hand too much, not enough, talking too much or not enough. The French are always searching for “le juste milieu” go figure! I also had a class a couple of years ago that was very competitive about shouting out answers. Some people can deal with a lot of noise (not me) but I used with good results, Carol Gaab’s idea of asking a question and putting up my hand to give them processing time. It also occurred to me that when we all go to conferences and sit in a language demonstration, we are the BEST “students” – we pay attention, offer cute details and it does not bother us when our answers are rejected. We are such good participators! We play the game so well. I remember thinking, my conference experiences didn’t translate so seamlessly to the classroom! I tell them I am rejecting answers so I can get more reps. Maybe , if you can remember rejected answers, you could work them into the written story – just thought of that. It sounds like you are doing all of the right things. I can relate to feeling like a new teacher. I never felt like a “professional” before. TPRS or TCI stretched me in the best of ways. The amount of reflecting I do in addition to the constant interaction with fellow travelers like you has given me a totally new perspective on my career path. You will make a difference in your student’s lives. It’s a process. We must trust it.
This is a great piece, Jen. Can you share more about the self-reflection rubric? Sounds like something I need…
(I’m having trouble making a clear distinction between when I want them to reply chorally and when they need to raise their hands. The rule says “one person talks, others listen, but there are times when I want everyone to reply.)
When I want the whole class to respond to first get their attention, I say “class, class” and they say “yes, yes” (that is from Power teaching)
Then when I want one person to answer, I say their name.
If I want volunteers, or if too many people are blurting out, I say”raise your hand” in German and I raise my hand.
That works for me.
Clase/Sí is a powerful tool. Those Power Teaching videos are great, Melanie. Have you seen the one where the entire class uses their hands in the exact same way to describe something.
I have never seen the videos, I just read the downloadable book of Power Teaching and I have used Klasse/Ja and make the teacher happy: smiley face game.
Jen,
Thanks for your truly honest account of your days. It is really helpful to hear that not everyone is having nice, calm classes that Ben’s appear to be on the videos 🙂 I have 5 sections a day and each class is different. My period 1 has the most side conversations and usually with just 5 of the 11th graders who are “stuck” in the beginning Spanish class with a bunch of really quiet and shy 9th graders. The 11th graders holler out and talk across the room! But, after the first hour, my next classes decrease in the amount of chaos I feel. Is it perhaps that I feel differently as the day goes by? Hmmmm. Your class seems to have a lot of energy, now it is just a matter of focusing it in the right direction. I am sure that there are several people here on the blog that will be able to give you, and me, a lot of helpful tips. Keep up the good work! I am supporting you in spirit 🙂 – Louisa
On a trip to France, we were paired with a few students from another school. I too use classe/oui. When I used it on the bus to get their attention, all my kids got quiet. I latter learned that the other student’s thought I trained my kids like dogs! Like Bryce likes to say. “Works for me!”
I agree with you too Louisa and Jen. I have 2 classes at the end of the day that get into side conversations very easily. I think its because they have been sitting quietly all day in their other classes so when they come to me and we can have fun and suggest silly ideas in Spanish, that’s their key to get wild and talk. I support you all as well in spirit!! Keep up the good work 🙂