Kids’ “Slow Down” Signal
Well, I had my first PMS’s with Spanish 1 today and I must say, they
went very well. When we began with the three phrases in past tense,
the students looked at me with fear in their eyes, but I kept
reassuring them that we would keep repeating and I acted crazy to
make them smile! It worked. Es obvio!
I relaxed, having a couple of days at it and adding more suggestions
from all you fine experts! Thank you so very very much!
Here’s an idea for those shy barometer kids who don’t want to speak
up: Today I passed out yellow index cards. I asked them, when you’re
driving (they all are 15 or so), what does yellow mean? One
said “yield.” I said, “okay, at an intersection on the traffic
light, you have red, yellow and green.” Blank look “What is yellow?”
I half-cried out. They yelled back, “slow down!” I touched my nose.
Then I held the card out in front of me and said, “You don’t have to
be embarrassed about asking to hear it again and again and again. If
you don’t understand or if you are unsure, hold up your yellow slow
down card.” They loved it! They’ll keep the cards in their books
(hopefully) to use in every class and they are easy for me to see.
Once we got going, they (and I of course) asked more questions and
we got more and more reps and wild details. It was great!
