Relationships play a powerful role in this world. The foundation for a successful and happy life is the ability to build and maintain relationships with others. I am building a very positive student teacher relationship with my ELL student M. We began our time together talking about our shared love of Mexican food and some techniques her mother uses when cooking. This was the first opportunity we had to talk since I taught my history lesson in Ms. R’s class. We talked about M’s thoughts on the lesson and if she understood everything I was teaching about. In reflection, I think we have done a great job of building some every positive rapport. I enjoy talking with M and I think she enjoys the time as well.
We began our discussion by going over the structured format and talking about the story we were going to be reading about that day. I read the first part of the story to M and then we went over the questions. I would consider M to be at a very advanced stage of her ELL journey. She is definitely speaking in paragraphs and understanding what people are saying quite well. I think the main area she needs to work on is her pronunciation and this will come with time and practice. Looking back on this time I think it went very well. She was able to answer all the questions and we had a small conversation about the situation that the family was in.
When it was time for M to read the part she was supposed to read she did quite well. She did stumble over several words (not with her understanding of the words, but with the proper way to say the words). She had a hard time with supper and with janitorial. She understood the meaning, but once again it was just the proper way to pronounce the words that was difficult for M. I think the more she works at this the better she will become, and this opportunity is the perfect place for her to practice.
We had a really easy time creating a diagram of the family in the story. I think this was easier for M because I had modeled how to do this with my own family tree and she had the practice opportunity diagramming her own family tree.
In reflection, this whole experience is a very positive experience and I am glad we have this opportunity.
