When I first read about Stephen Krashen's comprehensible i + 1, I immediately thought of my first and second grade beginners. Four weeks ago, in an attempt to create more order at the beginning of class, I introduced by students to the word "prepared". I taught them what was expected in being prepared and sweetened the deal with a point incentive. By the second week, most of the students had learned the target language, "I have my book. I have my pencil case. I have my homework. I am sitting." I probably would have continued reinforcing this same language for months if it had not been for the simple yet brilliant comprehensible i + 1.
Last week, I added '1' when I changed my questions from first person to second person inquiry. Initially, when I asked one student if another was ready, the subject of the question would answer, "Yes, I am." After a few days of modeling the language and letting students practice the language, they acquired the language and now they use it correctly. So, this week I added another '1' and this was a big '1'! It was time for them to tell me just how prepared they were. Everyday, I drew a simple pie graph on the board and divided it into four sections for each of the four preparation expectations. I taught them percentages: 25%, 50%, 75%,100%. I then wrote on the board, "How prepared are you?" They were taught to respond using the percentages. For example, if a student had fulfilled all of the requirements the response would be, "I'm 100% prepared." I was apprehensive before I taught them this new language. Was I pushing them to much? Would they become discouraged if they were unable to construct meaning from the new lesson? To my great relief, I was able to present the language in a way that resulted in understanding. Today was a great day. Everyone was 100% prepared for class and 100% prepared to use their newly acquired language!
That's awesome! Sometimes I really miss teaching children. It sounds like you are doing a great job with them...
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