This semester, I decided to start my 9th graders off with Romeo and Juliet. I think it was a mistake waiting until the end last semester, because most of them seemed tired and just ready to be done by then. This semester it is going much more smoothly. The kids like it, and I am better at teaching it having done it once before.

To go along with their test, I found this "soundtrack project" idea on the Outta Ray's Head website. It was originally for use with Macbeth, but I adapted it for what I wanted. Basically, it asks the kids to choose songs for a soundtrack for Romeo and Juliet. I liked the idea for several reasons...
1. They like music and talk about it all the time in class.
2. They have to think about the themes of the play and relate them to the music.
3. They are able to see that the issues Shakespeare wrote about are still being written about and discussed today.
4. They get to use technology (lyrics database, etc.).
5. They have to rationalize why they chose the song and how it relates to a specific theme. Sometimes they have trouble backing up statements and decisions, so this will give them practice in that.

Along the same lines, I recently read The Monsters of Templeton by Lauren Groff. I absolutely loved the book, and I went pillaging online for interviews and commentaries. I found this really cool website that lets the authors create a playlist that accompanies a book they recently wrote. They call the section "Book Notes". Here is the one for Monsters of Templeton:

http://www.largeheartedboy.com/blog/archive/2008/03/book_notes_laur_2.html


Today is Sunday, worst day of days. I don't usually dread work, but on Sundays I feel like I should pout about Monday coming (on principle). This week is going to be a hectic week.

WARNING: Complaining is about to begin.

A few months ago, I decided I was going to be a "good wife" and make dentist appointments for Blaine and me. The appointments rolled around earlier this month, and we both went. Blaine came back with a pretty smile and no problems, but I had a cavity. I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! My very first cavity has finally surfaced. They told me I had to quit drinking carbonated drinks, because they are acidic. I don't think they understand how much that is asking, but that is another story. So, I have to go get a tooth-colored filling, and they scheduled it for this Tuesday at 3:30. Task #1 for this week.

I have been having some other health problems that I won't go into, but that doctor wants me to come in this week, and it HAS to be Tuesday at 2:00. Task #2.

One of the incredibly boring, repetitive, waste of time, have-to-have-this-for-professional-development new teacher meetings with the county is this Tuesday at 3:30. Task #3. Conflicts galore.

In-school basketball game tomorrow during 4th block, putting that class behind. Task #4. Faculty meeting about dreaded visit from the state department, Monday after school. Task #5. Dreaded visit from the state department, Tuesday. [Insert hoops to jump through.] Task #6.

Research, write lesson plans, make copies, grade papers, make all of this meaningful for the kids... tasks #7, 8, 9, 10, etc. Update resume and job hunt for next year... tasks #11 and 12.

Maintain sanity, buy groceries, do laundry, maintain sanity, spend time with husband, eat, exercise, maintain sanity. How do people balance their work and home lives?


Just a little happy note...

I required my ninth graders to get a copy of To Kill a Mockingbird and my seniors to get a copy of And Then There Were None by the end of this six weeks so that we could read it later. I tried very hard to talk up both books in hopes of getting them interested. Today, I asked all my classes how many of them had already gotten their copy, and several of them had. In one class, a girl said, "I've already started reading mine," and at least four others started chiming in with, "me too!"s. They even had a short little discussion about the first few chapters. It was so encouraging! Of course, I have a few scrooge's who put in their two cents, but it was nice to hear some of them being excited about reading. GOOD DAY!


The atmosphere at school severely changed last semester when the election rolled around. Students were involved in a way I have never seen before, wearing t-shirts and shouting chants for their favorite candidates. No one could ignore the references in the media and pop culture that inspired the students
***see:
http://www.lyricsyoulove.com/y/young_jeezy/my_president_is_black/
http://yeswecan.dipdive.com/#/~/videoplayer/0/undefined/2207/~/
etc.

Students began holding informal debates before or after class about who was the best candidate and why. One negative aspect glared at me from the front of the room: most of the discussions were sharply divided along racial lines. Sometimes, the discussions even got ugly, and I had to step in and either moderate or end the discussion altogether. Though they are still kids and (for the most part) did not know a great deal about the issues, I was encouraged that they were interested in something so powerful. I feel it is necessary to mention the slanderous comments made by many (primarily white) students. I do not know how to wrap my head around that one quite yet, but I thought it was worth including in the discussion.

Senator Obama’s success allowed the African American students to feel empowered. This was especially true for the black males, whom I feel have the lowest self-esteem and overall feelings of self worth. When Obama won, I was happy and proud for them, hoping Obama’s success might cause a positive change in their outlook of the future.

However, this semester started up on Wednesday, and we began with the usual introductory, get-to-know-you activities. One of the activities we did required that the students pair up and interview each other, then introduce their partner to the class. Of course, I set out some guiding questions to help them along, and one of the questions had to do with career goals or hopes for after high school. Some of the responses:

White female: veterinarian
White male: doctor
White female: lawyer
White male: another doctor
White female: entrepreneur and animal rights activist

Black male: professional football player (does not play in high school)
Black female: cosmetologist
Black male: gangster (actual response)
Black male: no response
Black male: another no response

I think you see where I am going with this. It is disheartening. Even with something as revolutionary as an African American president, the students still feel the glass ceiling. How can we change that?


I fully intended to start a blog when I started teaching, but, like my mind, that idea went to the wayside this past semester. Now, it is the end of Christmas break, and I have decided to reflect on this past semester and make predictions for the new one. I will try to keep this up even when things get hectic.

Last semester:

As I expected, I loved teaching and enjoyed spending time with the kids. I was floored day after day at the insightful, interesting things they would say. I think they taught me as much or more as I taught them. Kids are also a wonderful reminder not to take yourself so seriously. They kept me down to earth when I got frazzled.

I did not expect the job to be so stressful at times. I am worried about student motivation and home life as it affects performance in class. When I was in grade school, I tried to achieve in school for myself primarily and then also for my parents. Some of the kids I am teaching do not seem to have self-esteem or positive reinforcement at home and therefore are not motivated to do well. Kids who have outstanding potential to achieve will make F’s on effort assignments. I do not understand it. What kind of leverage do I use as a teacher when students do not care about grades or school/parental discipline or graduating?

I have read article upon article telling me that I should make the assignments relevant to their lives (easy as pie, right?). This year, I had THREE girls in ONE ninth grade class who were pregnant. No matter how interesting I make it, how am I going to expect them to critically analyze Friar Lawrence’s role in Romeo and Juliet when they are going to have their first ultrasound after school? It is mind blowing how many of them are in gangs, do drugs, and will openly talk about using guns to get what they want.

I would like to discuss religion in the classroom, but I think I will save that for another blog.

I partially blame myself for their disrespect towards me this year. When I say that, I mean the ninth graders solely. I did not set enough boundaries at the outset. I intend to be more firm at the beginning of this semester.

Next semester:
This upcoming semester, I plan on being more organized and prepared for what is ahead. I anticipate having more of my metaphorical shit together, which will (hopefully) allow me to do a better job. I hope to try out some new teaching strategies that I have been too cautious to try before. I hope to take some more “me” time so as to not get too wrapped up in the stresses of the job. I also hope to do a better job of balancing my home life and work life. We’ll see how it goes!