Heading to the 3rd Day of Translanguaging Bliss in Ubuntu Academy. I Continue to Be Amazed by the Daily Growth & Joy

Mr. King is a genius with English as Additional Language Learners. Couple that with the expertise of two teacher-leaders helping out, and four graduate students in literacy, and we have a room full of brilliance...one on one assistance, energetic and fun language games, and tremendous support for all the kids. The helping hands is an idea situation and I wish such support could be offered within all classrooms  in all schools (makes me wonder how often high schools pair seniors who are American-born with EAL teachers throughout the year...could be a phenomenal internship). 

Yesterday, we did field journaling, nature writing, and a morning of poetics: shapes, haikus, and word play. Then King did this game of stomp clap pen which resulted in words being written on the board, then students having to make associations with them. It was interactive, fun, challenging, and hysterical. They enjoyed it tremendously. Of course, teaching in one of the spaceship rooms in DSB is equally as wonderful. It's just good space for interactive teaching. 

New this year, too, is having my English Education students with me, so I can give them opportunities to teach with me in the space before they go out into schools. This way I can catch things early, like overly worded instruction, a lack of visuals, eye contact, and pacing...it's the little things.

I-95 has been a bear, so I'd better hit the traffic. Off I go again. These are the happy days. The work that really matters.