One month in...

     After nearly a month of doing things in my classroom in a very different way, I am reflecting on how much my old thinking directed my teaching in the past and how it sneaks in to direct it in the present.  I remember arguing that in world languages we had to use the textbook and follow a sequence because "one thing builds on another."  When I would try to jump around in the book, students did not have the vocabulary and grammar necessary to understand.  So I stuck with the book, and faithfully completed activities even if they were redundant because they were there, and "students could use the practice."
     How much vocabulary can I introduce at a time?  Ellen Shrager's book was a great source of inspiration for using slides to present comprehensible input.  My fear is turning my slideshow into a text.  Yes, the input is comprehensible.  But, how much input can be absorbed in a 40 minute period?  How many repetitions does it take to internalize new vocabulary?
     So I'm kind of mixing it up.  Yes, we had a bunch of conditions, and we are practicing them with circling, questions, stories, etc.  I've included vocabulary that the students want to know. I've added stories, and illustrated them so that they are comprehensible.
     Do I have a more interactive class, a more engaging way of presenting?  Perhaps.  It is a HUGE amount of  work to prepare for a class!  Luckily I have multiple sections so I can reuse some of the materials I create.  And maybe I can reuse some things next year.
     Is it worth it?  One parent-colleague said to me that her kids aren't understanding anything.  I said, they are too!  And they are understanding more than they know they are getting.  Breaking them from the need to understand every word and get the gist, to trust their instincts when they think they understand-- these are some of my goals for them.  The parents I expected to hear from, who called my boss with their worries, I have not heard anything.  No concerns were voiced at PIN.  So the kids must be OK with what's happening in class.  They wouldn't be OK if they didn't get it.
     I do wonder how I got away with being less than creative, less than innovative, less than passionate for so many years.  The Immersion Method-- that's what I'm doing now in my class.  I am realizing the vision of my school in my classroom every day!  And, even though I am questioning everything, I really feel like I am worthy of teaching here.  Not that I was a bad teacher before; I've always known that I am a good teacher.  Just that now I am really starting to exemplify the characteristics of an excellent teacher at MVS, and I am proud of, and excited by, the work that I am doing.