Week one at my new school is done! It was a whirlwind and just flew by. Teaching 4th-8th grade is very different than just 3rd-5th grade even though two of the grades are the same. My 4th graders are learning Spanish for the first time and it is so fun to watch them experiment with the language. On the other hand, my 8th graders are in their 5th year and I am their third teacher in three years. They're still trying to see who I am and what class is going to look like for them this year. So far so good, I think :) I was very nervous to start with the middle schoolers but they really are quite a lot of fun! Quick refresher... I see my 4th-6th graders twice a week of 40 minutes. I see my 7th and 8th graders every day for 40 minutes but only 9 weeks out of the year.
I started each class basically the same way... shake everyone's hand while they say their name (me llamo ___. - yes even the 4th graders did this!) We shared good news from the summer (required bit from Capturing Kinds Hearts... great program if you've never heard of it) then I showed a picture slideshow of myself and my family. I spoke about every picture in Spanish and then had the students translate (or guess for the 4th graders) what I said. Even the 4th graders picked up on almost everything I said. Then we did a ball toss and for the middle schoolers, we also played a quick review game. Day 1, done! Day 2 was all about picking out Spanish names (am I crazy for making myself learn twice as many names as I already have to?) and practicing asking/answering questions about names. Middle schoolers played another review game. Up next comes a quick communication unit with classroom commands and useful phrases for all grades but the vocabulary is different in each of the grade. I am reviewing the basic 4th grade vocab in every grade though to make sure everyone knows what I want them to know.
Many of the teachers in my school have children in the school and I am lucky enough to teach most of them (no pressure... right?) So far though, many of those parents have come up to me saying that their kids are really enjoying Spanish (yay!). That makes me feel good. Plus, my assistant principal and principal have both stopped in my class at least once and left with smiles on their faces. My principal even speaks Spanish! How awesome (and rare) is that?!?
I have so many ideas flowing through my mind about what I want to do and how that it is difficult to organize my thoughts right now. I will still be updating my blog regularly (though maybe not as regularly at first as I adjust to my new school) so be on the lookout for lesson ideas and my thoughts on the (Spanish) teaching profession!
