I brought my camera to school today so that I could quickly shoot a role, get it developed, and have pictures to show this weekend! The differences in student reactions were intriguing. My high school girls groaned a little, but then proceeded to give me an adorable pose, which I think will turn out great. My high school boys were cooperative, but not exactly riveted by the idea of having their pictures taken. One refused to smile, although a little smirk did escape. The junior high girls were quite enthusiastic by round two, while the junior high boys were mostly delighted with my willingness to take pictures of them making faces and hitting each other. Then there were the second graders who happened to be in the area and begged me to take their pictures, too. So I'll have some pics of random youngsters whose names I do not know. Sigh. My greatest teaching weakness, so far, is my inability to remember names, and sometimes faces, even. Ah well. No one seems to hold it against me yet.
Happy teaching moment: I'm doing The Phantom Tollbooth with my junior high kids, and today I was talking about the old woman Milo found in the dungeon. She told Milo a story about the Princesses Rhyme and Reason (this is such a great book!). So I decided to reenact the scene. I put my glasses way down on the end of my nose, and put a scarf over my head, and borrowed a pencil and pen for knitting needles. I was so thrilled when one of the girls slipped from her seat to sit at my feet. And then another. And then came my trouble-maker! I love him so much. He is hard to keep under control, but we have quite a rapport, and this was such a sign of support and solidarity. Pretty soon almost all of them were there, gathered around my seat, listening to the great tale. What a great teacher moment!
And tomorrow... Fairwood! With Pictures!!!
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Actually not all about teaching
The phone rang, and the caller ID said "unknown." Uh oh. I picked up, expecting that pause in which I would quickly slam the phone back down, knowing long pauses are usually telemarketers (once in awhile they aren't, but for the greater good I take on the occasional risk of a puzzled friend to avoid the greater evil of unrelenting telemarketers).
There was no pause this time, but there was definitely "call center" noises in the background. Usually this is still okay, since they ask for Paul or Laura and I say they aren't home (which is true, since I almost never answer the phone when they're here).
But lo and behold, the woman did not ask for Paul and Laura. She said she was conducting a public opinion survey, and wondered if she could ask me a few questions.
HIP HIP HOOOORRRAAAAAAAAAAAAYYY!!!!!!!
I LOVE public opinion surveys! I gladly settled down in the office, blithely forgetting about the reading quiz I had been creating. She proceeded to ask me questions about whether I was liberal or conservative, what I thought the most pressing issue facing America today was, whether I worked for a newspaper (?), and whether I was favorable or unfavorable towards Bush. I answered these with firm conviction, and rising spirits (which were already pretty good following a great walk w/ Melissa).
Then she asked what I thought the most pressing issue facing RI was. Um, RI? (Is this the time where I confess I'm not even registered to vote here? Naaaaaa.) I said I didn't know. Then she asked me all these RI names, and whether I was favorable or unfavorable towards them. Luckily Melissa was in the room - I would quickly whisper the names to her and she would tell me whether they were good or not. They were mostly not. This is RI, after all.
But part way through the phone call, I realized that one of the names was running against another of the names in the Republican primary. Aha! Anyone running against Lincoln Chafee in the Republican primary HAS to be more conservative that he is! So I quickly began changing my tune, and answering my questions in a way that amounted to singing his praises.
She finished with: "If the Republican primary was held today, would you vote for Chafee or Laffey?"
"Laffey!" I responded with the conviction born of extensive study and wild-eyed activism, despite the fact that I'd never heard his name until about 3 minutes previous.
So now, all you readers who live in RI (yes, listen up all three of you!), vote for Laffey!
Throughout the conversation, I kept having this little niggling doubt in the back of my mind. What if I was answering all these questions about my political views and religious philosophies and such (yes, they know that I'm protestant and pro-life and conservative - they asked), and then was coming out in rabid support of some flaming liberal? That would throw some strange curves into their survey!
Rest easy, gentle readers. I looked him up on line and he is indeed more conservative than Chafee.
GO LAFFEY!
(PS. I still love teaching! And today one of my students actually brought me an apple! Hee hee hee)
(PPS. I've always loved apples - another indication that I'm in the right place.)
There was no pause this time, but there was definitely "call center" noises in the background. Usually this is still okay, since they ask for Paul or Laura and I say they aren't home (which is true, since I almost never answer the phone when they're here).
But lo and behold, the woman did not ask for Paul and Laura. She said she was conducting a public opinion survey, and wondered if she could ask me a few questions.
HIP HIP HOOOORRRAAAAAAAAAAAAYYY!!!!!!!
I LOVE public opinion surveys! I gladly settled down in the office, blithely forgetting about the reading quiz I had been creating. She proceeded to ask me questions about whether I was liberal or conservative, what I thought the most pressing issue facing America today was, whether I worked for a newspaper (?), and whether I was favorable or unfavorable towards Bush. I answered these with firm conviction, and rising spirits (which were already pretty good following a great walk w/ Melissa).
Then she asked what I thought the most pressing issue facing RI was. Um, RI? (Is this the time where I confess I'm not even registered to vote here? Naaaaaa.) I said I didn't know. Then she asked me all these RI names, and whether I was favorable or unfavorable towards them. Luckily Melissa was in the room - I would quickly whisper the names to her and she would tell me whether they were good or not. They were mostly not. This is RI, after all.
But part way through the phone call, I realized that one of the names was running against another of the names in the Republican primary. Aha! Anyone running against Lincoln Chafee in the Republican primary HAS to be more conservative that he is! So I quickly began changing my tune, and answering my questions in a way that amounted to singing his praises.
She finished with: "If the Republican primary was held today, would you vote for Chafee or Laffey?"
"Laffey!" I responded with the conviction born of extensive study and wild-eyed activism, despite the fact that I'd never heard his name until about 3 minutes previous.
So now, all you readers who live in RI (yes, listen up all three of you!), vote for Laffey!
Throughout the conversation, I kept having this little niggling doubt in the back of my mind. What if I was answering all these questions about my political views and religious philosophies and such (yes, they know that I'm protestant and pro-life and conservative - they asked), and then was coming out in rabid support of some flaming liberal? That would throw some strange curves into their survey!
Rest easy, gentle readers. I looked him up on line and he is indeed more conservative than Chafee.
GO LAFFEY!
(PS. I still love teaching! And today one of my students actually brought me an apple! Hee hee hee)
(PPS. I've always loved apples - another indication that I'm in the right place.)
Friday, September 23, 2005
More Teaching Moments
Newsflash: I LOVE TEACHING! (That was for anyone who has not read my blog before, and thus hasn't seen the other 74 times I've said that.)
Weird Teaching Moment of the Week: When the students didn't know who AM was on the schedule - thinking surely it would say "MM" (for Miss Murray) if it meant me.
A First: Today was picture day! A photographer came in and got group pics and individual pics. This school is much cooler than my high school about picture taking, because in this school we got to have the pictures taken outside with a rustic New England background. I imagine this is the difference between 900 students and 49 students.
Happiest Teaching Moment of the Week: Today I was telling my high school about something that happened in middle school science. "I wish you were our science teacher," said one kid. "And math," he added. "And everything else!" said another. Did someone tell them I was a words of aff person and would give them better grades on the exams they were about to take if they buttered me up a bit? Because it probably worked.
On second thought, it probably didn't. I found something to work on: essay writing. They are very juvenile in their essay responses on tests. Don't worry - I'll whack 'em once, and they will start learning fast:) Oh, and comma usage. YIKES! I didn't know it was possible to use so many commas in one sentence.
Happy Realization of the Week: Just because you wake up in the morning more exhausted than you've been in months, it doesn't mean the day will be a bad one! In fact, it might get better and better as it goes along, and end up your favorite day of the week.
Looking Ahead: After watching my 7th and 8th graders perform a play of Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Minister's Black Veil" (the mauling of the subtleties of the story probably had ol' Nate spinning in his grave), and seeing how well they did (I was SO proud - we'd never had an uninterrupted/unprompt-filled rehearsal, and the actual play went flawlessly, if you don't count one brief fit of giggles), the headmaster asked me to entertain the idea (just entertain, he assured me) of directing a play at the end of the year. He'd like something that demonstrates the classical model, has costumes and set, and involves everyone from 5th grade up with parent participation. AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! All this after I was saying to Melissa that it was going to be a LONG time before I attempted another play... But, strangely, I was quite captured by the idea, and will probably be sending out invitations sometime around April or May:)
Happy Sabbath everyone! (And let me tell you - I am sure relishing my Sabbaths these days!)
Weird Teaching Moment of the Week: When the students didn't know who AM was on the schedule - thinking surely it would say "MM" (for Miss Murray) if it meant me.
A First: Today was picture day! A photographer came in and got group pics and individual pics. This school is much cooler than my high school about picture taking, because in this school we got to have the pictures taken outside with a rustic New England background. I imagine this is the difference between 900 students and 49 students.
Happiest Teaching Moment of the Week: Today I was telling my high school about something that happened in middle school science. "I wish you were our science teacher," said one kid. "And math," he added. "And everything else!" said another. Did someone tell them I was a words of aff person and would give them better grades on the exams they were about to take if they buttered me up a bit? Because it probably worked.
On second thought, it probably didn't. I found something to work on: essay writing. They are very juvenile in their essay responses on tests. Don't worry - I'll whack 'em once, and they will start learning fast:) Oh, and comma usage. YIKES! I didn't know it was possible to use so many commas in one sentence.
Happy Realization of the Week: Just because you wake up in the morning more exhausted than you've been in months, it doesn't mean the day will be a bad one! In fact, it might get better and better as it goes along, and end up your favorite day of the week.
Looking Ahead: After watching my 7th and 8th graders perform a play of Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Minister's Black Veil" (the mauling of the subtleties of the story probably had ol' Nate spinning in his grave), and seeing how well they did (I was SO proud - we'd never had an uninterrupted/unprompt-filled rehearsal, and the actual play went flawlessly, if you don't count one brief fit of giggles), the headmaster asked me to entertain the idea (just entertain, he assured me) of directing a play at the end of the year. He'd like something that demonstrates the classical model, has costumes and set, and involves everyone from 5th grade up with parent participation. AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! All this after I was saying to Melissa that it was going to be a LONG time before I attempted another play... But, strangely, I was quite captured by the idea, and will probably be sending out invitations sometime around April or May:)
Happy Sabbath everyone! (And let me tell you - I am sure relishing my Sabbaths these days!)
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Where Will it End?
I've found myself going to unusual lengths for the sake of education...
It was pretty normal when I was stopping at Wal Mart to buy posterboard and crayons.
But soon I was in Michaels buying modeling clay. Somehow that seems a little more strange.
That wasn't much compared to going door to door in the "Brown Compound" collecting milk jugs and turn tables for a science experiment.
But all of that was left far in the dust when I found myself CUTTING THE LINING OUT OF MY SKIRT so that I would have a black veil for the class play!
It was pretty normal when I was stopping at Wal Mart to buy posterboard and crayons.
But soon I was in Michaels buying modeling clay. Somehow that seems a little more strange.
That wasn't much compared to going door to door in the "Brown Compound" collecting milk jugs and turn tables for a science experiment.
But all of that was left far in the dust when I found myself CUTTING THE LINING OUT OF MY SKIRT so that I would have a black veil for the class play!
Saturday, September 17, 2005
Chiaroscuro In the Cellar
I'm seeing compositions everywhere. I've got 16 drawings down, 14 to go by Monday. Yes, that would be 30 drawings -- and we were given one week to complete them. (This is Melissa, by the way... no, Andrea hasn't been roped into teaching art on top of everything else at that crazy school). Of course I'm blissfully and restfully not thinking about work right now, but calm reflection is okay. WHY WOULD ANYONE EVER CHOOSE TO BE AN ART MAJOR? 30 drawings is pretty crazy (in all fairness, they're only supposed to be 10 minute drawings, but with preparation and proper psyching-up, that's still a whole lotta time and energy), but I'm learning a lot, and I think this art stuff is starting to sink in. I'm starting to see why some compositions work and others don't, why something on the left side of the page has more visual weight than something on the right, how large shapes catch more attention on top than on the bottom, since the viewer subconsciously expects heavier things to be grounded. Cool, eh? A lot of it really breaks down to a science, and learning the tricks of the trade is kind of like learning a secret language. All these things that I could see vaguely before, but now I know why they work... it's kind of exciting. A little weird too, because I'm learning to appreciate art that, to the average Philistine (hehe), just looks like a bunch of lines or scribbles or confusing shapes drawn by a five-year-old. It may not be all that aesthetically pleasing on first glance, but it makes SENSE! The artist knew what he was doing! And it's all pointing more and more to an Artist who most certainly knows what HE is doing. I feel like I'm starting to catch new glimpses into the mysteries of Heaven as I increasingly notice how amazing light is, and what an infinite number of shapes and colors and perfect compositions are contained in God's creation. WOW! I know the God who thought all this stuff up! And all these insightful but often extremely worldly artists haven't even scratched the surface of the Beauty that will someday be revealed in its entirety.
Oh, and...Mind-Expanding Blogging Quiz!!...anybody know what that fancy art word in the title means? About the cellar part -- I found out (after a not-so-encouraging critique) that I can focus neither in my room nor in the middle of humanity downstairs (not that there's much humanity left around here these days...), and my art prof suggested that I really need to do something different, like come in and draw at school. Ew. Instead, I have sequestered myself in the basement. My garret, as it were. Though "garret" brings to mind words like "high" and "airy" and "bright"... instead of ones like "underground," "musty," and "dark," which much more aptly fit the space. Oh well -- whatever works. Dungeonlike or not, it's a change of scenery with plenty of room, away from distraction. And I can adjust the light; before, I was waiting until it got dark enough to draw without having to deal with natural light (not really a great time-management technique). If I keep working down there, I'm hoping to jazz it up a little by putting up inspirational posters with slogans such as "CONTRAST BUILDS CONFIDENCE!" and "LIGHT MAKES RIGHT!" Hope nobody was hoping to play ping-pong or pool anytime soon... the charcoal is flying.
Oh, and...Mind-Expanding Blogging Quiz!!...anybody know what that fancy art word in the title means? About the cellar part -- I found out (after a not-so-encouraging critique) that I can focus neither in my room nor in the middle of humanity downstairs (not that there's much humanity left around here these days...), and my art prof suggested that I really need to do something different, like come in and draw at school. Ew. Instead, I have sequestered myself in the basement. My garret, as it were. Though "garret" brings to mind words like "high" and "airy" and "bright"... instead of ones like "underground," "musty," and "dark," which much more aptly fit the space. Oh well -- whatever works. Dungeonlike or not, it's a change of scenery with plenty of room, away from distraction. And I can adjust the light; before, I was waiting until it got dark enough to draw without having to deal with natural light (not really a great time-management technique). If I keep working down there, I'm hoping to jazz it up a little by putting up inspirational posters with slogans such as "CONTRAST BUILDS CONFIDENCE!" and "LIGHT MAKES RIGHT!" Hope nobody was hoping to play ping-pong or pool anytime soon... the charcoal is flying.
Friday, September 16, 2005
Yup, Still Awesome
This morning began just right - with bagels from Panera. For my Classical Lit class I had them telling Greek myths so they could learn the stories the way the ancient Greeks would have - by hearing them, not reading them. And since bards can't really work very well without banquets I brought Panera bagels and juice (which I called ambrosia, much to the students' confusion).
They did fantastically on their storytelling, and they seemed to enjoy it! The only problem came between stories, while they were washing bagels off their hands, and Mr. Bailey came in. Here is the principal of the school, expecting rigorous learning, and finding a class full of kids goofing off and munching on bagels! It's not what you think, Mr. Bailey!
And then, to make matters worse, in he came at the end of the day, right after I realized I had time left over in class (after their exam - the first exam I've given - and current events) and allowed them to use it by eating the left over bagels. Ahhh! Here we were goofing off and eating bagels again! I'm surprised he didn't fire me on the spot. Fortunately his son is in my high school class, and his daughter is in my junior high class, and they have apparently been giving positive reports at home. Phew!
I wish you, my reader, could know my students. What an amazing group they are! So unique, so interesting, so funny, so enthusiastic. Ahhhh, what a joy they are. I was already thinking about how they had jolly well better come back and visit after they graduate.
My Classical Lit class asked if I'd be there next year. I said I hoped so. They said they'd almost never had a Lit teacher stay for more than a year. I asked what that said about them. They laughed. I LOVE TEACHING!
They did fantastically on their storytelling, and they seemed to enjoy it! The only problem came between stories, while they were washing bagels off their hands, and Mr. Bailey came in. Here is the principal of the school, expecting rigorous learning, and finding a class full of kids goofing off and munching on bagels! It's not what you think, Mr. Bailey!
And then, to make matters worse, in he came at the end of the day, right after I realized I had time left over in class (after their exam - the first exam I've given - and current events) and allowed them to use it by eating the left over bagels. Ahhh! Here we were goofing off and eating bagels again! I'm surprised he didn't fire me on the spot. Fortunately his son is in my high school class, and his daughter is in my junior high class, and they have apparently been giving positive reports at home. Phew!
I wish you, my reader, could know my students. What an amazing group they are! So unique, so interesting, so funny, so enthusiastic. Ahhhh, what a joy they are. I was already thinking about how they had jolly well better come back and visit after they graduate.
My Classical Lit class asked if I'd be there next year. I said I hoped so. They said they'd almost never had a Lit teacher stay for more than a year. I asked what that said about them. They laughed. I LOVE TEACHING!
Monday, September 12, 2005
Weird Teaching Moment #5 (or so)
Student: Have you seen Napoleon Dynamite?
Miss Murray: Yes!
Student: Did you like it?
Miss Murray: Yes, it was hilarious.
Student: It seems like nobody's parents like the movie. They all think it's dumb or pointless.
Miss Murray: Ya, it seems pretty generational.
Student: What does that mean?
Miss Murray: Only people in a certain age group like it.
[Pause]
Student: Then why do you like it?
AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! How old do these people think I am?! I'm being classed with people's parents!!! Natural, I suppose, but still a weird moment:)
Miss Murray: Yes!
Student: Did you like it?
Miss Murray: Yes, it was hilarious.
Student: It seems like nobody's parents like the movie. They all think it's dumb or pointless.
Miss Murray: Ya, it seems pretty generational.
Student: What does that mean?
Miss Murray: Only people in a certain age group like it.
[Pause]
Student: Then why do you like it?
AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! How old do these people think I am?! I'm being classed with people's parents!!! Natural, I suppose, but still a weird moment:)
Sunday, September 11, 2005
Another First: Grading Papers!
After a quick call to Danny, when I realized that I had no idea how to grade papers, I sat down and delved into 7th and 8th grade book reports. I've been pleasantly surprised at their writing abilities, although I must admit to laughing out loud a few times. Here are some of my favorite passages:
[On The War of the Worlds] "Unless you like to read books that have too much detail I do not recommend this book."
[On Mr. Jekll and Mr. Hyde] "The main problem is Mr. Hyde lurking about and committing evil because he murdered someone and stomped on a little girl."
[On Treasure Island] "The theme is don't turn to piracy or you will find your self on the gallows."
[On Perelandra] "The only way to stop this spirit was to beat the stuffing out of Weston and thus knocking the spirit out of his senses."
[Also on Perelandra] "Altogether, this book was suspenseful, imaginative, and thought-provoking although it does lack accurate knowledge of the make up of the solar system as Venus is made up entirely of volcanic activity."
[On The War of the Worlds] "Unless you like to read books that have too much detail I do not recommend this book."
[On Mr. Jekll and Mr. Hyde] "The main problem is Mr. Hyde lurking about and committing evil because he murdered someone and stomped on a little girl."
[On Treasure Island] "The theme is don't turn to piracy or you will find your self on the gallows."
[On Perelandra] "The only way to stop this spirit was to beat the stuffing out of Weston and thus knocking the spirit out of his senses."
[Also on Perelandra] "Altogether, this book was suspenseful, imaginative, and thought-provoking although it does lack accurate knowledge of the make up of the solar system as Venus is made up entirely of volcanic activity."
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Have I Mentioned Lately that I Love Teaching?
Saturday morning. I wake up. I think about school. I look forward to Monday.
WEIRD!!!
Other weird things:
-Having students call me Mrs. Murray (Miss Murray is weird enough!).
-Having Ethan (my 10th grade boy) ask "Is that your name?" when I typed Andrea into the computer. It turns out Andrea is also his grandmother's name!
-Having students respond to my attempts at "the look."
And now for some awesome teaching moments:
-My 7th grade Lit class embodying everything I pictured when I thought "English teacher." They came to class brimming with questions and ideas about the reading (Hawthorne's The Minister's Black Veil, which will hold a very special place in my heart from now on...). And they went through class with excitement, and by the end, awe, as they uncovered what the story was really about.
-Lively discussion in my Government class. I have a double period Gov't class on Fridays, so we're going to do current events. It turns out there is a Democrat in my class! But the other three are pretty rabid Republicans, from what I could gather from one class. This made for invigorating conversation, and a real excitement in the air at some points. They all (even the poor lonely Democrat) sounded really positive afterwards, and agreed that they wanted to continue with the current events. Woo hoo!
-Also invigorating discussion in the teacher's lounge. We started on Hawthorne (someone asked me for the Cliff Notes version of The Minister's Black Veil) and we moved to Puritans and, yes, churches with closed communion and churches that think the Bride of Christ is an exclusive group. I, needless to say, kept a low profile by the end of the conversation... Ah the excitement!
Some Firsts:
-I gave my first quiz yesterday! The kids did not do very well, I don't think. We'll have to work on that...
-I have my first batch of papers to grade (gulp). They did summer book reports. Fortunately, I think I have leeway to grade non-stringently at first.
-I went the northern route on my way in, and discovered it to be shorter!
Bonus:
-My entire 7th and 8th grade class is made up of Red Sox fans!
-Everyone seems to enjoy the wild tangents that I frequently pursue.
-My kids have good senses of humor! There is one boy in particular who can make me laugh really hard.
-I like each of my students! There are none that I feel like I'll have to endure till summer. They are unique and fun and interesting.
-Daddy was able to come visit my school, since he was in Newport on other business!
In Conclusion:
-Thank the Lord, thank the Lord, thank the Lord!
WEIRD!!!
Other weird things:
-Having students call me Mrs. Murray (Miss Murray is weird enough!).
-Having Ethan (my 10th grade boy) ask "Is that your name?" when I typed Andrea into the computer. It turns out Andrea is also his grandmother's name!
-Having students respond to my attempts at "the look."
And now for some awesome teaching moments:
-My 7th grade Lit class embodying everything I pictured when I thought "English teacher." They came to class brimming with questions and ideas about the reading (Hawthorne's The Minister's Black Veil, which will hold a very special place in my heart from now on...). And they went through class with excitement, and by the end, awe, as they uncovered what the story was really about.
-Lively discussion in my Government class. I have a double period Gov't class on Fridays, so we're going to do current events. It turns out there is a Democrat in my class! But the other three are pretty rabid Republicans, from what I could gather from one class. This made for invigorating conversation, and a real excitement in the air at some points. They all (even the poor lonely Democrat) sounded really positive afterwards, and agreed that they wanted to continue with the current events. Woo hoo!
-Also invigorating discussion in the teacher's lounge. We started on Hawthorne (someone asked me for the Cliff Notes version of The Minister's Black Veil) and we moved to Puritans and, yes, churches with closed communion and churches that think the Bride of Christ is an exclusive group. I, needless to say, kept a low profile by the end of the conversation... Ah the excitement!
Some Firsts:
-I gave my first quiz yesterday! The kids did not do very well, I don't think. We'll have to work on that...
-I have my first batch of papers to grade (gulp). They did summer book reports. Fortunately, I think I have leeway to grade non-stringently at first.
-I went the northern route on my way in, and discovered it to be shorter!
Bonus:
-My entire 7th and 8th grade class is made up of Red Sox fans!
-Everyone seems to enjoy the wild tangents that I frequently pursue.
-My kids have good senses of humor! There is one boy in particular who can make me laugh really hard.
-I like each of my students! There are none that I feel like I'll have to endure till summer. They are unique and fun and interesting.
-Daddy was able to come visit my school, since he was in Newport on other business!
In Conclusion:
-Thank the Lord, thank the Lord, thank the Lord!
Thursday, September 08, 2005
I still love teaching!
Day 2: So far so good!
Today was even better than yesterday! Learning from my mistakes, I had more material to present in a more interesting way, and thus got my high schoolers on board. The 7th and 8th graders were just as on board as yesterday, if not more so. I'm thinking that I'm going to love teaching all day long, and be a little more skeptical when preparing at night.
I got to write on a chalk board today! And write I did... I covered the thing.
And I got to share my #1 Literary Fact: Wherefore means why, not where. Thus, when Juliet says "Wherefore art thou Romeo?" she is asking "Why are you Romeo?" as in, "Why did you have to be from the family that hates my family?" My 7th and 8th graders were fascinated:)
Another great day!
Today was even better than yesterday! Learning from my mistakes, I had more material to present in a more interesting way, and thus got my high schoolers on board. The 7th and 8th graders were just as on board as yesterday, if not more so. I'm thinking that I'm going to love teaching all day long, and be a little more skeptical when preparing at night.
I got to write on a chalk board today! And write I did... I covered the thing.
And I got to share my #1 Literary Fact: Wherefore means why, not where. Thus, when Juliet says "Wherefore art thou Romeo?" she is asking "Why are you Romeo?" as in, "Why did you have to be from the family that hates my family?" My 7th and 8th graders were fascinated:)
Another great day!
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Now I'm Really a Teacher!!!
I'm taking a quick moment from my lesson plans to let everyone know: I LOVE TEACHING! I came bounding into the teachers' lounge at lunchtime, full of enthusiasm. The other teachers gave me tolerant smiles and told me to hold onto that for around the middle of the year. But how could I help being excited, when my first class (7th and 8th grade Literature - a fabulous group of kids!) ended with one of the girls leaving a note behind that said "We love Miss Murray!" Ahhhh! I'm such a teacher! I was elated:) And yes, she is getting straight A's.
This morning I had the realization that the day had arrived for which I have been waiting for years, to one degree or another. I always used to say I wanted to teach, and now here I am. Amazing!
But man oh man, it's tons of work - and I need to get back to it...
This morning I had the realization that the day had arrived for which I have been waiting for years, to one degree or another. I always used to say I wanted to teach, and now here I am. Amazing!
But man oh man, it's tons of work - and I need to get back to it...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)