This first week of school has been beyond hectic. Course schedule changes, moving rooms, sharing rooms, copier problems, meetings, and more have slowed our progress this week. No worries. I just keep plugging away.
Still, with my Sophomore Honors class we got a bit behind my intended schedule. I wanted to finish our French Revolution background Thursday, read Chapter 1 of A Tale of Two Cities as a class Friday, and have the students read the first 4-5 chapters this weekend. Well, there were so many interruptions from the front office and questions about the revolution from the kids, we didn't get there.
Halfway through the period on Friday while we were going through my French Revolution presentation, I decided to change things up. With five minutes to go I asked all of the students to pass forward their reading schedules (I give one with every major reading) but keep their books. The students looked a bit confused but did so. Then, from the back of the room, one student cried out "Yea, awesome!" Slowly little light bulbs appeared over the heads of the students.
I just decided I wanted to complete this unit well, rather than fast. I always tell new teachers that the ability to adapt and to revise one's plans are the marks of a good teacher. A few students at this point still had quizzical looks on their faces until I said, "don't read this weekend. Enjoy your weekend and I'll make a new reading schedule."
I think I have a following.
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Fear and Loving?
No loathing. A little fearing and then loving the class.
My Honors kids looked frightened yesterday and I've heard that I'm intimidating at the start of a class, so I thought I'd shake them up.
Today I informed my new Honors students I'm know as the "GPA Buster" and they better get ready. Silence. A deafening silence followed.
I then gave them a quick quiz over the syllabus provided yesterday, a series of seven true/false questions. I read the questions, and they simply wrote their answers on their papers. I then instructed them that they would correct their own, "so no one should miss any of the answers." I paused. Smiles and giggles started quickly and soon spread throughout the room. Understanding!
After "correcting" the quiz I told them this was a lesson: they would have to be prepared every day when I ask them to do something. We then had a quick contest to see who could shoot their balled-up quiz into the recycling box from across the room.
Now I had them. No one was stressed any more.
I need them to know I am not out to destroy their grades. They have to ask questions, be inquisitive. They can't worry about points; they need to learn. If they don't do well on an assignment, they need to redo it. I'm there to help them.
My message to them, before starting a review of the French Revolution in preparation for Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities, is: if you are stressed out about this class, you're doing it wrong. I think they believe me.
My Honors kids looked frightened yesterday and I've heard that I'm intimidating at the start of a class, so I thought I'd shake them up.
Today I informed my new Honors students I'm know as the "GPA Buster" and they better get ready. Silence. A deafening silence followed.
I then gave them a quick quiz over the syllabus provided yesterday, a series of seven true/false questions. I read the questions, and they simply wrote their answers on their papers. I then instructed them that they would correct their own, "so no one should miss any of the answers." I paused. Smiles and giggles started quickly and soon spread throughout the room. Understanding!
After "correcting" the quiz I told them this was a lesson: they would have to be prepared every day when I ask them to do something. We then had a quick contest to see who could shoot their balled-up quiz into the recycling box from across the room.
Now I had them. No one was stressed any more.
I need them to know I am not out to destroy their grades. They have to ask questions, be inquisitive. They can't worry about points; they need to learn. If they don't do well on an assignment, they need to redo it. I'm there to help them.
My message to them, before starting a review of the French Revolution in preparation for Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities, is: if you are stressed out about this class, you're doing it wrong. I think they believe me.
Teenage Wasteland
Today in my American Literature class we started reading Anne Tyler's "Teenage Wasteland." It's the story of a teenager who begins to change his appearance, hang out with new friends, and his grades drop. Of course, his parents don't approve. The ending of the story really has no victor, and the kids love to debate who's most at fault.
Tomorrow we'll listen to "Baba O'Reily" by The Who and compare and contrast the song with the story (lyrics and rhythm). It's a great opener for kids who "ain't really into school," as one student told me yesterday.
Tomorrow we'll listen to "Baba O'Reily" by The Who and compare and contrast the song with the story (lyrics and rhythm). It's a great opener for kids who "ain't really into school," as one student told me yesterday.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Class Begins!
Today was great! The kids came in with good attitudes and adjusted to large classes and schedule changes like champs.
I played a game with the class based on Tri-Bond board games. We sat in groups of 3-4, and they competed with 10 quick puzzles to solve. We completed multiple rounds in each class, and the students enjoyed this much more than simply going over rules. Plus, I get to see them in action and get to know them.
My new class, the College in the High School class (Survey of Americn Lit.), started today and the kids looked scared. I actually had to laugh a bit, to myself of course, but it was funny. They have homework tonight--vocabulary and an introductory letter--and we start reading Fools Crow by James Welch this week. Hitting the ground running!
My only concern today was class size. Mine ranged from 28-35. The district keeps saying Freshmen are the biggest at-risk group we have, and our fearless leaders aren't afraid to "do whatever is necessary" to help them. Of course, this means Freshman English class sizes are the second highest in the school (only Sophomore English classes are larger). The average Freshman English class is filled with 32 students. What a disservice!
The Department Head and I met after school to discuss how to reduce some class sizes if we get an extra teacher this week. That was a good conversation.
Unfortunately, we have to reduce the College in the High School classes by 6 students since they are not allowed to be over 32 students (now we have 34, 35, 33). My suggestion to her was to remove the superintendent's daughter and the two most prominent families' kids. If that doesn't spark some changes, nothing will.
Wound a sacred cow, and the whole village notices!
I played a game with the class based on Tri-Bond board games. We sat in groups of 3-4, and they competed with 10 quick puzzles to solve. We completed multiple rounds in each class, and the students enjoyed this much more than simply going over rules. Plus, I get to see them in action and get to know them.
My new class, the College in the High School class (Survey of Americn Lit.), started today and the kids looked scared. I actually had to laugh a bit, to myself of course, but it was funny. They have homework tonight--vocabulary and an introductory letter--and we start reading Fools Crow by James Welch this week. Hitting the ground running!
My only concern today was class size. Mine ranged from 28-35. The district keeps saying Freshmen are the biggest at-risk group we have, and our fearless leaders aren't afraid to "do whatever is necessary" to help them. Of course, this means Freshman English class sizes are the second highest in the school (only Sophomore English classes are larger). The average Freshman English class is filled with 32 students. What a disservice!
The Department Head and I met after school to discuss how to reduce some class sizes if we get an extra teacher this week. That was a good conversation.
Unfortunately, we have to reduce the College in the High School classes by 6 students since they are not allowed to be over 32 students (now we have 34, 35, 33). My suggestion to her was to remove the superintendent's daughter and the two most prominent families' kids. If that doesn't spark some changes, nothing will.
Wound a sacred cow, and the whole village notices!
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Better Late Than Never
I'm not a fan of country music, but I especially don't enjoy the promotion of ignorance as in Gretchen Wilson's "Redneck Woman." However, I really admire her for deciding to get her high school diploma.
I watched This Week with George Stephanopoulos this morning, and Gretchen Wilson explained that she now wishes to earn her diploma because of her daughter. She realizes the long shot her success is and realizes now she would have "tended bar" for the rest of her life because she wouldn't have had an education. She wants her daughter to see her as "smart."
Now I don't believe a high school diploma is the cure-all she makes it out to be because the same program this morning also explained that 25 years ago the difference in one's income with a college degree versus a high school diploma was 30%. Now that difference is 70%. I know Wilson wasn't speaking about economics when she spoke of her daughter, but the disparity is growing, and I hope Gretchen Wilson encourages her daughter to attend college rather than rely on the diploma.
By the way, Wilson also offered the local high school a deal. If the high school officials allow her to walk during the graduation ceremony, she will play at the prom for free. Sounds like a good deal to me.
I watched This Week with George Stephanopoulos this morning, and Gretchen Wilson explained that she now wishes to earn her diploma because of her daughter. She realizes the long shot her success is and realizes now she would have "tended bar" for the rest of her life because she wouldn't have had an education. She wants her daughter to see her as "smart."
Now I don't believe a high school diploma is the cure-all she makes it out to be because the same program this morning also explained that 25 years ago the difference in one's income with a college degree versus a high school diploma was 30%. Now that difference is 70%. I know Wilson wasn't speaking about economics when she spoke of her daughter, but the disparity is growing, and I hope Gretchen Wilson encourages her daughter to attend college rather than rely on the diploma.
By the way, Wilson also offered the local high school a deal. If the high school officials allow her to walk during the graduation ceremony, she will play at the prom for free. Sounds like a good deal to me.
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Relations
I also started my union duties having attended my first official executive board meeting. Wow! I have quite a bit to learn! I think I doubled my knowledge in that first meeting alone.
Yesterday I approached one of the new hires to inquire why he did not join the local union. Turns out he harbors some hard feelings against the union, but I think they are misplaced. We chatted and he decided to join the union, and he attributes his membership to our rapport. That feels good to know, but I'm learning that hard feelings between some of the teachers and the union are somewhat prevalent.
Now I have a lot of work to do to help smooth out some of these feelings. I don't feel that I need to become a recruitment officer, but I do want to maintain a level of respect and to foster more positivity between the high school staff and the union. After all, I want to represent the staff's interests while supporting and defending the contract.
Yesterday I approached one of the new hires to inquire why he did not join the local union. Turns out he harbors some hard feelings against the union, but I think they are misplaced. We chatted and he decided to join the union, and he attributes his membership to our rapport. That feels good to know, but I'm learning that hard feelings between some of the teachers and the union are somewhat prevalent.
Now I have a lot of work to do to help smooth out some of these feelings. I don't feel that I need to become a recruitment officer, but I do want to maintain a level of respect and to foster more positivity between the high school staff and the union. After all, I want to represent the staff's interests while supporting and defending the contract.
A Good Start
School begins on Tuesday, but as everyone knows the duties begin much earlier. The opening meetings are over, but other aspects of my job are underway.
We won our first football game last night. I can't say this is the most talented team we've fielded, but it is one of the most positive, industrious groups I've seen since moving here. This is also the first year our head coach has only kids from his own system; last year we graduated the remains of the previous coach's system, and now we have a team united under a single philosophy. It should be a fun team to watch because the head coach wants to create positive citizens as well as players.
The best of teams create leaders and exemplary citizens, and I feel our head coach is off to an excellent start.
My wife's cheerleaders also looked great. They sent groups of girls down the sidelines to involve parents, and they kept the (normally apathetic) crowd louder than usual. She, too, looks to be starting a great cheer season before her competition season begins.
We won our first football game last night. I can't say this is the most talented team we've fielded, but it is one of the most positive, industrious groups I've seen since moving here. This is also the first year our head coach has only kids from his own system; last year we graduated the remains of the previous coach's system, and now we have a team united under a single philosophy. It should be a fun team to watch because the head coach wants to create positive citizens as well as players.
The best of teams create leaders and exemplary citizens, and I feel our head coach is off to an excellent start.
My wife's cheerleaders also looked great. They sent groups of girls down the sidelines to involve parents, and they kept the (normally apathetic) crowd louder than usual. She, too, looks to be starting a great cheer season before her competition season begins.
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