Hi WOL Friends,
In this podcast episode, I was able to interview Abby, a senior student from Turkey Foot High School - she joined me with her Latin teacher Ann Myers. It was a fun conversation. Both Abby and Ann have a passion for learning and exploring. As you listen in you will hear a few key points about what Abby likes about one of the first courses that we have put into the story format.
For those of you who live in rural places, you will be able to relate to Abby’s story. Abby shared that her school, with just over 500 students in K - 12 does not have a World Language teacher, and even though the WOL has a variety of offerings most students choose Spanish, like Abby, in her freshman and sophomore year. She was not really impressed either. She found the course too stiff, filled with memorizing and perfection.
I am thankful she gave us another chance!!
Here are a few of the takeaways from our conversation.
When the WOL offered scholarships, Abby was encouraged by her parent to take Latin, as it may be helpful for her future medical studies.
Anne Myers explains how she reconfigured the Latin course to teach it from the perspective of the gods and muses, offering a different avenue to the content, and emphasizing exploration of the connections to the language in the real world rather than just following a curriculum.
Abby expresses her appreciation for the new approach, allowing her to explore her interests and have fun with the language.
They discuss how the new Latin course compares to the old Spanish course in terms of exploring and having fun with the language, and Abby shares that the new course is more open to exploration and personal interests.
I was so grateful to get to talk with Abby, and want to have her take a look at the new Spanish course that has been developed in the same format as her Latin course. Having her feedback is so helpful in creating the course that students want with the teachers they need and deserve.
And we recently got this feedback on our NEW Spanish 1 course!
How are you including student voices in the development of your curriculum?
Dennis Williams, a PASCD friend, and a colleague have spent the last 4 years working with the faculty and students of Hatboro-Horsham High School to infuse not only choice in a lesson but an actual voice in the development of the curriculum. You can find more about Dennis on his web page. Or catch him at PASCD this November - he is our President-Elect.
Our schedule for 2023 - 24 is starting to fill in. To get your preferred times for your students contact us soon. You can see our updated course catalog and the descriptions of our new storyboard formatting. Let us know if you have questions.
Have a great week,
Pat
pmulroy@worldoflearninginstitute.com
Storyboarding - A Student Perspective #39