How to win parents over!

Today is Parents Day. It's always around my birthday, so it's not really ideal. Last year, it WAS on my birthday... so this year is an improvement already. :)

I don't dislike parents, but it's just one of those days when you have to be "ON" the whole time. Parents sit in with their son/daughter during classes, which means your lesson has be awesome and interactive (Find a way to include non-French speaking parents in a French class? Hmmm.). Then, during your off periods and after your classes, have appointments with your advisee parents, going over grades and any other business to take care of. It's a lot.

BUT. The food is always awesome. The lunches are fabulous and they bring out the table cloths and flower centerpieces. Yay.

So today, we played a game: guess that baby! I had previously contacted parents, asking them to send me a picture of their son/daughter as a toddler or baby, so I had all kinds of weapons of embarrassment to use... Once the shock was over, and my students forgave me, I had them talk about different things in groups: what physical and personality traits they had inherited, and what family values and life lessons they had been taught, and plan on teaching their own children one day.

Next, I found a news report on a family of cheese makers (3 generations), because professional knowledge is one thing that gets passed down. They had comprehension question to go with it. Then, I taught a simple lesson on cheese.... and then we ATE cheese!!

I brought out sliced baguettes and 4 different types of cheeses (one mom wondered where the wine was hiding). Everyone had a good time tasting them and it was a great way to end the class. Mouahahahahah!!

I also made sure everyone left with a handout on the proper way of slicing the triangle or wedge or circle of cheese.