Hi Ben,
I wanted to update you on a report. Most of my TPRS classes have been going great. We have been doing OWIs to kick start stories and it’s been a blast! I am starting the Invisibles with individual characters in my stinker class who the majority are completely disengaged or have turned into a distracted or disengaged mess. These kids have a hard time being human. The classroom makeup are students who are really pressured to earn good grades, students who crave projects or group activities and shy students.
In the class, I only have about 3-4 students who love stories. The others do not. As a result, I have ask them questions about themselves, à la PQA, but the disengagement continues. Any tips? I do not want to be punitive, I would like to make them aware of what’s going on.
Today, I gave them time to draw their own characters. I checked in with students. While it may seem that they like the class, it’s not enough for me. My expectations are not being met and it’s making me nervous. Are any other PLC members starting individual student characters? Any tips before I move forward?
My concern is that this class will regress into their disengagement once we make a story with their character. Is there anything I can do proactively?
I prefer to leave a positive note about my other classes. Ben, you have set up a simple and elegant system combining OWI, student jobs and student created images. My second year is so much easier. Now there is the management/relationship piece that I need to improve on.
Steven Ordiano
French and Spanish Teacher
Fresno Unified School District