Surveys from Quiz (Next Week Schedule Change)

Purple Day--thank you for being so honest in the quizzes.

I know they may seem silly, but this is my easiest way of getting feedback from you and seeing what YOU need. Plus, so much goes on class that I need time to process what you tell me. The survey lets me read it, take notes, go back, and see trends. I'm still learning. Your feedback matters to me. Its how I adjust. I showed me that even though I'm proud of the test scores, you guys need some more practice to feel comfortable. I would have kept moving on if no one had told me otherwise.

Here's the deal for the rest of this week and next week.

Next class will be devoted to the pizza project. Bring your pictures. I will tell you exactly how to do the writing aspect. I will show how to present the project.

I know some of you are worried about the speaking, don't be. We are all together in this. I can tell you from my own experiences that I'm shy and HATE public speaking. My teachers let me get away with it in Spanish 1. This made upper-level classes and college really hard for me at first. I'm not here to judge you on the pronunciation just yet. I want you to just get used to speaking in Spanish. I promise for the long-term goal, this is necessary. There isn't anyway around it.

If we need more time of the project, we will get some next week if EVERYONE is working and on task.

THEN, next week:

we will start presenting

we will review the alphabet

we will work with pronouns, ser, and adjectives. I want to review this pretty hard. Plan on Powerpoints, games, and activities. I am thinking even of doing something as simple as bingo to practice the vocab. We will also be using quizlet for the vocab.

We will work on sentence structure. These essays were to show me where we were starting. Now we are going to start working with the structure.

I will start working on questions. What the question words mean. How to respond to questions.

I want everyone to feel comfortable with ser and pronouns before we do anything else.

We will also touch on numbers, so we will be prepared for how to tell time. If you have trouble reading a clock that isn't digital, start practicing please. =)

For Bellringers, I may start talking about culture and showing some videos. Culture will start picking up with Dia de los Muertos in October. We do have a FUN cultural project planned to give you guys a break. We will make papel picado that you can keep. Papel picado is the cut out paper you see hanging in my room. A food day is coming up next month, too.

Thank you guys again. For those of you who said you really really feel lost. Let's set up some tutoring. I'm available before school, after school, or lunch. I want you to do well. So, let me know when you can meet and I will help you. It's my job.

One last thing. Just about me and where I am coming from. Most of my previous experience teaching to students is teaching Spanish 2 or working with college level students. So, breaking things down, is a little difficult for me. I forget how HARD and HOW MUCH Spanish 1 can be. So, please tell me like you did in the surveys. Just like anyone else, I respond to calm comments far better than I do to anger, frustration, giving up, or just ignoring me. So, next time you feel overwhelmed, pull me aside or write me a note and place it on my desk. I love your comments. I love seeing what you think will help you. I like knowing where we are. So, just remember those good attitudes. They make a difference. And please, let's start working more on the talking and loudness. There is A LOT, you all have told me that, so it makes more sense to listen and focus so I can get the information across and spend my time working with you instead of against you and having to address the talking in class. Let's be a team and does this together. I swear I'm on your side and adore you all. Keep working with me. Give me your best, and I will give you my all. We will make it through this year and you will be amazed to see how much you learn. I promise. ;)

Buenas noches, amigos!