Day 10

I really should request to teach either all Honors or all CP classes. I should not teach a combination of the two, especially when they're starting at the same point but ending at different points. My 2CPs and 2Hs are actually starting in the same spot this year, but I can already see my 2Hs will make it through the chapter way before the 2CPs, perhaps the first two chapters before the CPs make it through the first chapter. Although both classes covered the same things last year in Spanish 1, the people in 2H have an obviously stronger dedication to learning (or at least doing well and retaining info). A lot of the people in 2CP are the ones who barely passed last year. It's difficult to try to teach them new things (i.e. regular stem-changing verbs) when they're still stuck on the basics like regular verbs, subject pronouns, and the like. I could speed through stem-changers with my 2H (honestly, they learn stem-changers like querer, tener, and jugar at the beginning of Spanish 1) and they all (but 1) passed the quiz with mostly A's. Then there's my 2CP classes. Maybe 1 or 2 A's in each. Otherwise, mostly C's, D's, F's. Uncool. Not because we didn't go over the stuff, not because we didn't practice, but because they're still putting -ar endings on every single verb they see.

Any Spanish teachers out there have an interesting game to play to review -ar,-er, and -ir verbs?? I could really use the help!

Another reason some people in 2CP aren't ready for the challenge is because of incorrect placement. The new Spanish 1 teacher is just randomly moving people up to Spanish 2 if they even utter a Spanish word in class (apparently "Qué pasa?" qualifies a kid as "advanced & ready for Spanish 2"). The Guidance Counselors are basically all new too, so they're listening to almost anyone... except for the veteran teachers who know a thing or two about placement! They all think our department is crazy for requiring a 70% to move on in the language when every other subject just needs a 60%. But if a kid BARELY squeaks by with a 60%, they're just NOT READY for the next level! They're setting these kids up for failure and/or poor achievement. It's just not right. But I'm afraid they're tired of seeing me in their office switching kids to different levels. In fact, I'm sure they're tired of seeing me.

Speaking of tired, this first full 5-day week is already getting to me. I mean, it's only Wednesday! It's so hard to get back into the swing of things when you go from 4-day work weeks to 4-day weekends to 4-day work weeks to a 5-day work week! I fell into a deep 2-hour nap yesterday after work. I would love to do that again tonight but it's already late, and I haven't started dinner yet. And we all know that food is so much more important than sleep!

Seriously though, if you have any game ideas at all for Spanish levels 2-3, please share with me! I really need to spice up this stuff! Thanks!