Robert requests ideas from the group:
Hi Ben,
As you know from my recent comments, I have been elected Department Chair at my high school. At the urging of our French teacher, I am going to move ahead at the school site level with trying to introduce TCI/TPRS into the curriculum across the board. With current emphases on reading and literacy, I believe I have a better chance of success both among the teachers and at the administrative level with readers. With the current desire and push toward common assessments, etc., I want to offer choices that allow us to have common reading in levels 1 and 2.
Right now I want to concentrate on doing things with level one and getting everyone who teaches that level on board. Once they have a year with level one under their belts, we can move on to level two. That should also make it more palatable for the administration because the costs will be lower. My thoughts are to shoot for reading three chapter books per year. The French teacher and I both have “Pauvre Anne/Arme Anna”, so I thought getting that one for Spanish would be good. However, I think variety is good, so I don’t want to do all Blaine Ray books.
As a result, I am looking at the following for level 1: First book: “El nuevo Houdini / Le nouvel Houdini” and – if Carol Gaab authorizes it – my own translation into German. Second book: “Pobre Ana / Pauvre Anne / Arme Anna” Third book: “Casi se muere / Presque mort / Fast stirbt er”
I would appreciate any comments or suggestions people might have about this combination. Some day I hope to be able to offer other options for people looking for readers. I also see the advantage of having the same reader in multiple languages for situations like my current one in which the administrators are looking for “common assessments”. I could get away with doing my own thing, but if I am willing to bring the German classes into line with the other two languages, that should speak volumes for my commitment to the team.
Thanks for putting this out there for PLC comments.
Robert