Corinne Bourne is a long time member of our community. An interesting fact about Corinne is that she is the master of, to my knowledge, at least four languages. She is in Northern California and has sad news about the effect of the Carr fire on her community.
Everyone is encouraged to send in “reports from the field” on how their year is going. We value these reports because they help us get to know each other and then if perchance we see each other in the summers it’s pretty cool.
Ben,
Now and again as time has permitted I have checked in at the PLC and watched the evolution of ideas. Thankfully I am free to teach as I feel best and even at levels three and four we are still enjoying taking the natural approach and we are definitely still having fun with the word chunk game, including the seniors! (My honors class is not officially AP but a few decide to have a shot at the exam each year and come out with a pass. So proud of them and all those who go on to work or study in France or using French, especially if they were not my absolute stars.)
Today, our first day of classes, everyone was reacting in some way or another to the effects of the Carr fire. Several of our families lost their homes and everyone feels that life has changed. Students were discouraged from going outdoors at lunchtime due to the smoke.
My French classes just picked up the threads again pretty seamlessly, but the Spanish 2 students will need time to trust me and to learn to play the game. I had them draw their best vacation memories of before the fire and looking through their pictures there’s lots that we can base new fun stories on. I’ll send you a report as they start to spread their imagination wings.
Here’s to a wonderful school year for teachers and students!
Thank you again,
Corinne