Spent a good portion of today’s sessions sitting on top of a table next to the rejuvenation station as a last ditch effort to stay conscious. This is completely normal and even encouraged. Could not stay awake and didn’t really want to today. Had a session on grading that was utterly worthless- key takeaway was that some things aren’t worth grading, which is something I’m sure I never would have figured out on my own. Best (and only worthwhile) part was the last 30 seconds where I was told of a good online grading site. The literacy session today was equally unproductive. I remember writing a poem about where I grew up for an inordinate amount of time, but have no recollection of how that had anything to do with the actual topic of the session.
Now positives for today. First review packet went well, the kids were on task and getting it done. Did have to talk to two kids in the hallway about their cell phone use, but for the most part they took the review seriously. Also the kids loved guessing facts about us (me and the teacher who teaches after me). They were asking lots of questions about our colleges and our siblings or lack thereof. We’re doing it again tomorrow in a T/F format where they can take a break from review to guess whether statements about us are True or False. (Example: Mr. November’s hair was blonde and straight when he was six years old. True).
One last highlight. I’ve been practically begging for my kids to take books from my grab bag when they win the raffle for the day (as opposed to jolly ranchers). Today we picked four tickets, so four students chose items. First three chose jolly ranchers. It’s possible that I rigged it so that my favorite student who has never gotten his raffle ticket selected would get a chance. Okay, I definitely just looked in the bag and pulled out his name and got away with it. This student took the book Night by Elie Wiesel, something I’ve been marketing since we read a couple of passages from it. Very thrilling moment, especially since I think this student will read the book. Same kid who was a past member of the Bloods. Same student who has started shaking my hand after every class. And same kid who told me he is going to take his new SAT books to camp this summer. Very cool.
Couple funny things I’ve never wrote about but want to share. Our bus driver is a character, routinely running red lights, blasting rap at 7:00 AM, and helping us feel slightly better about boarding a yellow school bus as a 22-year old. Man who works the front desk and checks our ID cards when we come in after school everyday might be the coolest man in the security field. Greets you everyday with a “THANK YOU SIR” for guys and “THANK YOU MAM” for girls every time you walk in with a peppiness that is actually shocking given how mundane the job seems. This man loves his job and it shows.
Tomorrow our last rough drafts are due for Thursday and Friday lessons. I’m not sure why we have class after the final exam. To protest, I printed out a lesson I liked from ReadWriteThink.org and didn’t put it into a 5-step lesson plan. Saw no point. I see no need to justify that action, but certainly will if I have to. Spent the time writing personal notes to kids. And sleeping so I can actually get something out of sessions. What a thought.
