joys in the exes...

I absolutely love running in to my ex-students. I was lucky to be able to see two yesterday, one from over a year ago and another from last term. I am a lucky teacher in that I have no problems rapidly establishing rapport with those in my classes, and this connection allows them to open up, open their mouths, err, be corrected, and enjoy themselves in an unthreatening atmosphere. I am not quite sure how that happens, but I guess I'll just keep doing what I'm doing, since something must be right.

We have a writing rubric conference continuing today, in which I am particularly interested in participating. There is as of yet no established departmental standard as to the correction of compositions at all levels and some sort of a coherent guideline would be particularly beneficial, especially to the more advanced students. For one to give a C- for writing skills that another would rate as a B+ is ludicrous. The only problem is that there is so much "old blood" in the Department that remain staunch and inflexible, unwilling to adapt and change to new teaching styles, improve upon themselves and, in turn, create a stronger departmental core/corps. At any rate, I look greatly forward to putting my two cents' worth in...as those of you who know me well can attest, I do jump at any chance I have to express my opinion.

We did one of my favorite activities in my intermediate class last night in order to practice the use of the subjunctive, the palmreading exercise. It works so well in a class that feels so comfortable with each other, and it can be so fun. I have to stay on them to remain in Spanish, as there is still so much they have yet to learn to express, but these are the kinds of extra-textual things that can really expand their language skills in the context of FUN!

After all, that's what it is all about, ¿no?