We have our first specific “start the year” question from Kelly and it’s a good one. How many of us have had success with CWB (see category for definition) in level 1 and then not known how to start out bonding with the kids in level 2 because CWB had already been done the year before?
I’m not sure what the answer is and defer to the group on this one. Please provide us with fantastic start the year at level 2 suggestions so that Kelly and the rest of us who are teaching level 2 classes can create the first week bonding piece that we must have if our CI classes are to work for us this year!
Here is Kelly’s question:
Hi Ben,
I’ve been looking through the PLC to find some information on looping, but I’m having some trouble, so I thought I would pose the question to you and those on the PLC if you feel it’s appropriate.
This year, I’ll be looping with about 25 of my 99 students from last year (they will be 10th graders/Spanish 3). Last year, I had all of the Spanish 2 students in the building. Most likely, the students will not be new to me, but they may not have been in the same class period together last year. Since it’s a fairly small cohort they are pretty familiar with each other. In addition to the looping factor, this will be my first time teaching Spanish 3.
Last September, I did CWB and it went very well. In fact, I’ve never had such a positive relationship with my students as I did last year! I’d like to do a similar “bonding” activity this year, but I’m concerned that it will be perceived as the “same thing” as last year and that the students will be bored with it. I had thought of gearing it towards a “What did you do while we were apart?” theme, but I’m just not sure. Obviously, the class will need to create a new community, so I need to do something but I am so confused right now!! The thought of a paper activity/project makes me cringe because I had such success last year with CWB. Any ideas/suggestions?
Thanks for your help!
Kelly Clark