Today during first period something amazing happened. I tried teaching commands through the hokey pokey. I was too scared to attempt this last year as it didn't fit my personality that I had built up between myself and my students. I remembered that if I am enthusiastic and don't care about looking stupid, neither do the kids (as much). So as we started the song I got the goofy "I'm so excited" look on my face, clapped and rubbed my hands together... and the fun started. We sang and danced, had a great time, and most importantly, we learned a few commands quickly and painlessly.
Throughout the day I did the song two more times. My fifth period was the best, I suspect because I had taken a risk. I had stepped outside the box. My kids appreciated doing something goofy and different (because I'm not that creative and amazing yet with the CI/TPRS skills as I'd like to be).
Sixth period finally felt like sixth period. No, my sixth period ROCKS. They are a great class. The reason it finally felt like sixth period is because things started to click today. I think I started going slow enough, pausing, personalizing and translating enough. During my sixth period today, I think my class exhaled because they finally had their teacher back, and I relaxed because I was finally back. I haven't felt much like myself since the beginning of this semester, but boy... It is GOOD to be back. :) I'm even kinda bummed that tomorrow is a test day!
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