Report from the Field – Bernard Rizzotto

5 thoughts on “Report from the Field – Bernard Rizzotto”

1. Ben Slavic

   September 2, 2012 at 11:27 am

   Nice pacing on the advanced class. It sounds like it was perfect. And, of course, the fire will ebb and flow in intensity bc it is completely unnatural to maintain an even burn over the year and over a career. There will be ups and downs. The ups are way up and the downs are way down for most of us. I have wanted to just walk out of the room so many times. I have also found myself running across a parking lot one morning bc I couldn’t wait to see how a first period story would get resolved. That’s why this is no game for the weak or fainthearted. Great start brother! Keep the reports coming.

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2. David Maust

   September 2, 2012 at 3:59 pm

   Sounds great Bernard and thanks for sharing. It’s a big encouragement to me. After getting to do some coaching sessions with you at NTPRS, especially the late night one with Ben, I can easily visualize you doing the Circling with Balls with your kids.

   I loved the Face 1 vs. Face 2 discussion that came up a while back too and have that etched in my mind as I try to go for being more human in the classroom and am aware of my “teacher face.” Thanks for being such a great model of the “Faces” at NTPRS.

   You said, “The beauty of the technique is that it allows you to address the potential troublemakers right from the start, to implicitly point out the rules of the game without the lecture.” Thanks for this. I have to remember that the lecture is NOT necessary. I’ve been pausing some during CWB to talk some about the rules in English and even make some side comments in English, but it’s time for me to cut that out. I’ve said all I need to and I need to recommit myself to staying in the TL.

   The kids in my first level classes are doing a great job at respecting the no English rule (upper level classes are another story). Level 1, 1st period hit 35 minutes on the L2 timer, and we could have gone longer but I had to wrap-up class before the bell. Now, just to clarify that’s 35 min. without the STUDENTS talking. I however, was doing my interjections and it’s time for me to cool it. I need to have the “annoying English teacher alarm” job delegated to a student who will stand up to my own blurting.

   Thanks Bernard! -David

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3. Ben Slavic

   September 2, 2012 at 4:09 pm

   …I need to have the “annoying English teacher alarm” job delegated to a student who will stand up to my own blurting….

   That is just so true. It is so true that most people will gloss over it when reading it. I just did and had to go back and read it again. The fact is, our use of those little English blurtings that are designed to make us sound intelligent and are manifestations of pure ego will only be understood by one or two kids. It’s that way. I wish someone would burst into the room, someone like skip or someone I trust in this group, and just slap me when I do that. We can’t do it, y’all, and David says it best above. I’m gonna read me that comment again more than a few times. And make it a post as well.

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   1. Chris

      September 2, 2012 at 6:20 pm

      Shock collars! We can wear a shock collar and have a “teacher zapper” job for when we go into English rants

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4. Laurie

   September 2, 2012 at 4:58 pm

   Bernard!!! Fantastique!!! You all have me so inspired to go back this week!!! I will have two classes of Spanish 3’s who will be totally new to me and 2 classes of Spanish 4 who have been my students for 3 years..totally different challenges! Keep sending reports!!

   with love,
   Laurie

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