Wednesday, April 1, 2009
If the Shoe Fits....
I had a brand new ESL student come into my class today and he is undoubtably a much lower level in English proficiency than his classmates. I talked with the assistant principal about what to do with him from now until the end of the school year and she has told me that I will almost have to create a new curriculum for him as a beginning ESL student. We then got talking about other students in my class who are of lower levels than the rest so began a conversation about needing to adjust homework expectations for various students. Hence, the shoe definitely does not fit everybody but I guess that would make teaching quite boring wouldn't it??!!!.....
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I think it's so interesting that you are teaching ESL. I assume it must be hard to walk into a classroom near the end of the year and pick right up from there. In most classrooms, it takes a while to build a consitent rhythm and for the whole class to fall into a routine, but you are starting in such a different way. Have you found that to be hard? Just like in the music module, we all talked about how important it is for the students to recognize a routine in order to feel comfortable. What feeling do you get from your new classroom?
ReplyDeleteI teach migrant school in the summer, summer school for children of Hispanic migrant workers who are moved from school to school (in different states, usually Texas and here in Michigan) every year. Many of these students live in homes where English is not spoken. Because of financial restraints, our classes are usually two or three different grade levels. Fortunately, the classes are also small and the program only six weeks long. But in order to make a significant difference for these kids, especially given the time constraints, a considerable amount of differentiated and personalized instruction is necessary. It is a lot of work, but the results are well worth it! After all, it's what we do, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteEmily - What has been very helpful in my "new" classroom is having already known the students I am teaching. The most challenging thing I found in the first week of teaching is how varied in ability each individual student is in their listening, writing, reading and speaking skills. For example, one student might be strong in listening but weak in writing. And Kasey - Yes I agree...it is all worth it! :)
ReplyDeleteIf we compare teaching to fashion, then we teachers are serving the role of both designers and tailors, i.e., making and implementing plans. It is surely more time-consuming and challenging than making a one-size for all outfit.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I am glad that you posed a question/problem in your post, which initiated a very nice conversation here.
Gaoming