Bilingual nightmare

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Bilingual nightmare
By Julianne

Hi, Karen,
I'm trying to get upstairs to bed, but I just saw your post pop up and wanted to let you know you're not alone. I'm not a bilingual teacher, but I have a first grade of 19 students with only about 4 native
English speakers. The other 15 are in various stages of English Language learning. Most speak Spanish as a first language, but we have a Russian speaker and one child from Nepal to make the mix even more interesting. I've just begun work on an ESL endorsement. The class so far has been plenty of theory and very little practical advice to help me with my immediate problems.
Now, having

said that, I can tell you from years of classroom experience, that your first year in ANY class you would be scrambling to find resources, make lesson plans and adapt materials. It will be easier next year, especially if you are dilligent about filing and documenting your lesson plans and materials. Next year you'll be able to pull out complete plans and reuse them without having to start from scratch every time. Oh, but you'll start from scratch sometimes no matter how much you already have filed away. I'm in the process of learning a new reading program and a new math program. So it is really the "neverending story" when it comes to preparation. Give yourself some more time to get used to the routines and you'll find it becomes easier. And remember to eat your vegies and get enough sleep so you won't be tired and cranky. I, of course, am NEVER tired and cranky. Because I don't spend all night on the Internet typing with my colleagues...