Group 10-1: School Year 2012-2013 (Circa)
Another group I will always think of fondly. This was their second year with me. I firmly believe I learned more from them than they learned from me.
Note from one of the students: “Your emails will be missed.” Hum. That’s interesting. ~~LMM
When I received the news in the summer of 2022 that the English teaching staff would not be returning in August, I was devastated. When we could only find ONE teacher who accepted an English teaching position, this left us in a precarious situation. How did it affect the only two English teachers for the school year? Well, we would have to take on more than we had expected.
In my particular case, I would have all the 11th and 12th graders (6 English sections). I would have only one free period to prepare and plan as best I could because I also had the technology course to teach.
When I ended up having to assume all the school’s English courses because the other teacher could not return after her maternity leave was up, well, you can imagine what my teaching load was like!
I did the best I could with what I had.
And this brings me to my reflection for this year: As I read your last listening and speaking activity I realized that you got more out of this year than last. It was only natural! I had a “bit” more time for you.
Despite everything that has happened (especially the closing of the school), I believe that most of you (with very few exceptions) took advantage of the time and got more out of the English course than the previous school year.
I admit to changing some of my teaching strategies. Under the circumstances, I felt I had to. It was all for your benefit, of course. Some of you took advantage of this, unfortunately others did not (thankfully, those were very few).
I honestly hope that your time with me as your English teacher for two consecutive years has been worthwhile. When you take other English courses in the future, will you be able to put to good use what you learned these past two years? It’s my desire that you do.
I only wish the best for all of you as you enter a new phase after graduating from high school.
My blessings to all! ~~LMMolina
To the English 11 Advanced level group:
This year 2023-2024 has been an emotional roller coaster! What with the announcement at the beginning of the second semester that our school operations would cease effective May 30, it has been quite hectic. Teaching has always been a challenge but these past few months have been even more so. It’s only natural. Everyone has had to adjust to the news.
It is with great sadness that I take leave of you. My time had come to retire but I had planned to do so gradually. I would so have loved to be your teacher in your Senior year! Ever since I took you on towards the second half of your 10th grade, I knew you were a very special group. You have shown me that you are willing to accept challenges because you know it promotes intellectual growth.
I was so pleased that you were willing to take on the podcast project which for me was not only fun but exciting as well! Not many students are willing to do something like that and carry it off smoothly (just a few glitches now and then!).
In my heart I know you will succeed wherever you go. Thank you for accepting me as your learning facilitator! We learned from each other which is how it should be! It is always a collaborative effort, never a one-sided affair.
If possible, could you keep me informed of your progress in your new school? I would love to know how you’re doing.
As always, stay safe and God bless! ~LMMolina
The last Reading-Writing Activity of the school year submitted by 11-Ene. Oh my!!
Most of the students used their favorite presentation app: Canva. Sure makes it colorful!
Which one impressed you the most? ~~LMMolina
Forever in my heart by Andrea Medina
8 Days memories by Adriana Morales
Class Activities Summary by Alanis Zayas
Class Activities #12 by Fabián Torres
Class Activities Summary by Ángel Morera
Class Activities Summary by Alanis Avilés
Class Activities Summary XII by Julián Pagán
Class Activities XII by Luciano Erazo
Class Activities XII by Dariel Cortés
Class Activities Summary by Johanelys Molina
Class Activities Summary by Diego Ortega
Class Activities Summary by Victoria Reyes
One of my favorite activities to check (and I read through all of them!) is the reading and writing ones. I get to delve into what the students got out of the activities done in class. I ask myself two questions: What did they learn? How did they feel while performing the different tasks?
Through this process, I also learn something. I ask myself more questions. What could I do or have done to make each more meaningful? Did I assign something that each could take away and apply later in their student or their personal life? I certainly hope so! If not, what would be the use?
Browse through some I’ve included below. What do you think the students learned? Were the activities meaningful? ~~LMMolina
Is it a coincidence that I decided to include the unit on poetry in April, National Poetry Month? Maybe. Subconsciously I might have been drawn to the idea of incorporating some poetry towards the end of this our last school year. Poetry brings out sentimental feelings so it might be appropriate.
At the top of my favorite poets list is Edgar Allan Poe. His poetry has always moved me because of its haunting themes. His life was shrouded in mystery which factors in to his attraction by many, myself included. What about you? How do you feel about this poet and his work?
Here’s my poem inspired by this moody poet: Episode 101 on ALC: National Poetry Month
And here’s the poem by the man himself:
A Dream Within a Dream
Does it inspire you to write a poem of your own? I hope so! ~~LMMolina
“The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost got a few students thinking about the choices they have made or will make that have consequences. Good or bad? Who knows? Making choices is always a learning experience.
Which path will you take and where will it lead you? ~~LMM
Solmarie
Marco
Saudade
Making choices always has consequences. Some for good, others, well, it’s another matter.
Some of the students from this group were really inspired by Robert Frost’s poem “The Road Not Taken.”
Check out some of the audios. On a scale of 1 to 10 (the higher the score, the more you appreciated it), what rating would you give it? ~~LMM
Adrián
Morera
Diego
Julián
Luciano
Dariel
Johanelys
Last activity to close Steam Week 2024: Creating stories with Lego bricks. So much fun and the teams did an awesome job! Thanks to Julián and Ángel for organizing the activity. ~~LMM
Audio/videos done by the groups:
No Man’s Land Radio Station Website
Roller Coaster Disaster
“Ring of Faith”
