Hi Ben,
So, here was today. Yesterday was a crisis, today not. Today was my first tableau with my hardest class. I was pretty nervous. My stomach was in knots all day, and I I also had 2 admin coming to observe the class for 15 min to see the behavior, as I’ve expressed to both of them my difficulties and asked for their help. We did half the day in the book and half the day in CI. Before going into the ICIs, I gave a big speech telling them there are 2 ways they can learn Spanish, with worksheets or with the drawings (I pointed to my gallery). I reiterated that we needed to follow and respect the rules if we wanted to stay in the fun stuff and did a reminder about the jGR. We introduced and voted on all the ICIs. They laughed and had a good time. Only had to refer to the rules a few times. I’m finding that Rule 6 is difficult in my school. Many students are flabbergasted that I won’t allow them to even have a pencil on their desks. My worst student was there today, and she followed the rules! Well, when she broke them and I pointed, she’d stop. A month ago (almost to the day) she was laughing at me. She also corrected other people! I don’t know what in the hell was in their lunch today, but it worked! Once I chose the character, we started our tableau. It went well. No rambunctious behavior. People were interested. I took a calculated risk by making my most difficult student the quiz writer. She took it very seriously! At the end of the class, I pulled her aside and told her she did a hell of a job and thanked her for doing it. It felt very healing for our relationship.
I know this was one day and I’m treating it as such, but phew! I feel 100 pounds lighter! Thanks!
Best,
Jake