Today I discovered that my students love word searches. Elderly and young, high level and lower level, they love them. 🙂
I had 15 students, ranging from low-beginning to Level 2.
I did a few things really right today. I checked for understanding at key moments and I was surprised more than once that they weren’t as solid with the concept as I’d thought. I’m really handing over the morning’s review of dates to the students. I actually sat through the daily date lesson today; I provided narration only when needed as opposed to constantly “conducting.” I’m pleased with the pace and sequence of the grammar. I was able to give at least a few students big but specific encouragement today (i.e. I know speaking is hard for you, but your reading is great! It will help your speaking.) Oh, and conversation time wasn’t all that awkward today!
To keep on improving:
- keep activities laser-focused on the objectives; if a tangent is so important, it should be an outright objective, not an aside.
- phase myself out of more activities.
- better support for my low-beginning student(s). Specifically, more time with me, and more varied work on the same points.
- I must get English for All, computer-based learning, up and running for my outliers and my new walk-ins. I have everything I need – it’s just a matter of taking the time to hatch my plan.
- I do ask for student input/feedback, but I think there’s room for more.