Leigh Anne Munoz in CA sent me an email and I asked her if I could share it with the group and she said yes. Here it is:
I just have to share. This past spring, 2012, I had a bunch of students pass the French AP last year after only 3 years with me. After I found out about the passing scores, it seemed proof enough that CI works. Years of struggling to learn French so that I could continue to teach this way paid off. It has been about 7 years since we did stories successfully in my classroom. Back then, I had significant buy-in from a lovely, gigantic group of Spanish II kids who really appreciated TPRS. Since that group, I have had all level 1s, except for the French APs. Level I students may be more adaptable, but they can also be apathetic! There are other factors that affect the relatively weak storytelling component in my class; the resistance on my campus is fierce. Did I mention that I had to learn a third language in order to pursue CI on my campus?
I am brave again.
Today, I feel ok about seriously going back to storytelling. Like every year, I have had a good run with ‘Circling with Balls’ and the info/survey that you use. Differently this year, I handed out tons of jobs in September, and bought completely into the jGR idea in early October. These new tools have brought a significant measure of discipline, buy-in and respect from students. Also, I bought Anne Matava’s first book of stories last month.
So, today, my 150 French I students experienced their first story. We almost made it through a story in its entirety today! Yeah! The story appealed to most of the students – what a relief!
Thank you so much for your blog. You have made such a difference for me and all of my students!