I know, I know... my "TutorMommy" blog has been nearly ALL Mommy and very little Tutor for a looong time. But that's changing right now. Last night was our church's return to Wednesday evening ministries, which means it was back-to-school for the adults in the ELL Ministry as well.
This is my second year as the director of the all volunteer-led ELL Ministry, and I LOVE it. I could go on about the logistical side of my role as director - the phone calls (in English and Spanish), the voicemails, the emails, the bus schedule, the spreadsheets, the letters, the forms - but I won't. That's the part of my job that I put up with so that I can get to the parts of the job that I thrive on - curriculum planning and teaching!
Side note---------
Over a decade ago (seriously?), I interviewed for the J.D. Edwards Honors Program at UNL. It was and is, now under a different name, a computer science and business program, which seemed like a good idea at the time. Interestingly enough, what I most remember from my interview now is that I told the committee that I wanted to get a Spanish minor so that I could put it to use to make a positive difference in whatever job I had down the road. Funny! I got in, I developed some awesome friendships, and I figured out that I couldn't see myself working in business or computer science down the road. I did, however, get that Spanish minor, and I'm using it today!
It's okay, Honors Program Committee. I did make spreadsheets... and forms... and a Facebook page... and look, a blog!... so much business and technology. ;)
End side note-------
Where was I? Curriculum planning and teaching, the parts that are fun and energizing for me...
Planning what and how to teach my class is trickier than it sounds. Last night, out of the 15 students who attended our first class, 3 new students are pre-literate beginners, many new and returning students have high beginning through high intermediate English skills, and a couple of students have more advanced English skills. How do I plan a group activity that works for students who know their names and little else, as well as students who are reading and writing and speaking at a fairly high level? What kinds of activities do I need to have ready for them during Tutoring Time, when my students work 1-on-1 or in small groups? How do I keep them interested, teach them something worthwhile, and not scare off our newcomers?
Those are the questions I worked on for hours and hours and hours... and those answers will have to wait for another naptime.
To be continued... (I hope)
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