When I Subbed for a Colleague the First Day of School

One district I worked at had a split start where the first half of the alphabet came one day, the second half of the alphabet came the second day, then everyone came the third day. Of course, not all students came those first two days who should have. Plus, we had block scheduling, so I did not see half of my students until the third or fourth day of school. So, on the third day of school, which essentially was the first day of school with all of my A Day students, I had to sub for a colleague!

As I stated in “The First Few Days of School,” immersion the first few days is SO important. So, I was not happy that I had to sub. I walked in the classroom and for 90 minutes, I did not use English. I pointed to what the teacher wanted them to do on his sub plans (which wasn’t much considering it was the first day of school) and just circulated around the room.

One student who was in my class and her friends tried talking to me. They asked if I spoke English. I nodded “yes.” They asked if I would ever use English in class. I nodded “yes.” They asked when. Since “September” and “October” are cognates in French and English, I said those months in French (even though my English week would be the following week).

This is what I mean, though, when I say that your students should not hear you use English. Whatever is thrown your way the first few days of school, don’t let your students hear you use English. Immersion is that important.

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