Tap into what you know.

Here is what I have discovered about teaching. I know that teachers across this country know the information I am about to present. But I think it's good enough to share again.

Tap into what a student knows about.

Example:
C comes to me and needs help with his writing. He is a very dedicated student, but his writing lacks structure. He can explain what he wants to say to me, but when he puts it down on paper there is just a disconnect.

C: Mrs. Parsons will you look at this revision I've done on my persuasive essay.
Me: Sure C, (He patiently waits for me to pick a part his essay) well. There are a few things you need to fix. I think your biggest problem is that there is no flow to what you have written. You need to take a look at your syntax and your diction choices.
C: I'm not sure how to do that.
Me: Okay. What I'm about to say may change the way your write. You love music correct
C: More Than Life. *He is in the band and is a section leader.
Me: You know how in music you have a crescendo or a decrescendo so that there is a reaction from the audience.
C: Yeahhhhhhh
Me: I want you to make your writing do that.
C: OH My Gosh. Oh my gosh. I get it. I know how to do that. I get it.

He then told me thank you about a hundred times. It made my day to know that I could help a kid look at his writing in a different way.

True Story

Tonight I went out with a couple of my teacher friends for dinner.

As you know My Car is out of commission. And my friend Jess offered to take me home. She asked if I wanted to come out to dinner with her and our friends.

So we went over to Panera for dinner.*

My Friend Jess is dating Mike - Mike is Dave's brother - Dave is married to Nicole - Nicole is also my friend. It all comes together in the end. And feels a bit like 6 degrees of separation. Somehow I now feel the need to mention Kevin Bacon in this post.

Anyway... I was enjoying a delicious half roast beef sandwich and small bowl of tomato soup. We were all having a normal conversation when Mike (Who was also enjoying a roast beef sandwich) mentioned that he would like some horse radish sauce - I said I would go get some for the table.

I walked up to the counter and there was a man sitting near where I was standing. I ask the girl behind the counter for the horse radish sauce and see one of my former students. I say hello to E - tell the girl behind the counter that I know him because, he was a former student. Then the man sitting near the counter says strikes up this conversation -

Random Guy - So you're a teacher
Me - Yes
RG - You teach around here
Me - Yes
RG - High school teacher (nods his head in a weird way) - so does he get extra credit if he gives you extra sauce?
Me - No, he's a former student... (Please imagine the awkward silence that then took place)

I get back to the table and share that I think that a strange guy just tried to flirt with me. We all laugh at the table and continue on with our meal. Then the strange thing happened. Mike was trying to pour some of the horse-radish sauce on his sandwich when the tiny plastic cup holding the sauce flew out of his hand and went flying across the table. All. Over. Me.

I was laughing so hard that I couldn't speak. It was like it happened in slow motion. I saw it headed towards me and I couldn't react in time. Jess had to help clean me off. I don't even know how it was possible but I had horse-radish in my pocket, on my shirt, on the collar of my shirt, in my hair, on my leg. I was spicy and awesome.

The moral of this story is - well... I'm not sure what the moral of the story is.

So........ Happy Friday tomorrow!

*Stop what you're doing and go there for dinner or lunch or brunch or linner** ASAP - your brain will overflow with joy at the deliciousness.

**Linner is the meal to be eaten between Lunch and Dinner.

1, 2, 3, 4

A lot of people say that counting to ten helps you to think clearly before you act.

I had to do that a lot in the last 24 hours.

It's complicated and there are curse words involved (on a students part).

But as usual Kristine (of blog stalking fame) came through with a thoughtful heart and a witty reply.


Here is the video she sent to brighten my day - I hope it does the same for you!



Thanks Sesame Street for always knowing the right thing to say!

ummmm really

I had a parent tell me this week.

That the reason their child doesn't turn in homework is because:

"Homework bores the hell out of him."

My Response:

"I don't assign homework to 'bore the hell' out of students - I do it so that the standards are covered and they are prepared for the next lesson."


Is that really what parents think is an okay statement to make to a teacher.

wow.

Problem Solving

Here was a Dad's solution to his kids water bottle exploding in a backpack.


The student was worried that their book would not dry in time for me to grade their annotations. So freaking out - the kid asked their dad what to do. The dad suggested that they put it in the microwave. Well the sticker, that the book store put in to make sure no one steals the book, was still attached to the inside cover. That sticker has metal in it. So when they put it in and turned it on the book set on fire.

Mom was not home at the time of this event.

-happy ending - The student did get full credit for their work. They had awesome annotations.

yes that's due today

Why is it that students love to have 'no clue' when assignments are due?

I write it on the board - say it out loud - post it on my website - should I call home too?

I know that it is important to have it posted in multiple places because students don't really pay attention when I talk*. I also know that some students are visual learners and when they see it they remember it. I also encourage my students to write their homework down in their reminder binders.

Yes - you are in an advanced class
Yes - there are going to be multiple assignments due on the same day
Yes - I expect you to look over the website while you are absent
Yes - you still have to take the quiz today even though you were gone last class

No - I don't offer extra credit
No - you can't get an extension on that assignment
No - I'm not going to stop everything I'm doing and tell you what you missed while you were gone for a week and a half.

But - even with all of this I still love these crazy kids. They make me laugh even when they are being insane - I had a kid searching through his back pack today looking for his grade check for band. The girl next to him turns and looks at him and says "You are a hot mess!" I echoed that statment - the kids laughed, I laughed, it was a good moment. The kid couldn't find his grade check. He has a 90% in the class - but is a little scatterbrained.

It's all about balance - and one of those things is turning your work in on time.

*it must be because what I'm saying isn't important (please note the sarcasm)

True Story

Picture it - first day of school. Last period of the day.

I'm tired - I've given the same speech over and over. A child walks in, sits down and begins to send a text message before the class has even started. Before the bell even rang this kid is texting. Heaven help this child.

D - 'sitting, texting, unaware of the wrath about to be placed upon him'
Me - What is your name?
D - D
Me - Why are you texting D
D - ummmm
Me - D - this is a great way for me to tell the whole class that I don't like texting. I hate it - I think it will be the downfall of the English Language. Because the word 'cuz' does not mean BECAUSE.
*At this point I think that D is terrified*
D - I'm sorry it will never happen again. I promise.
Me - it better not.

I smiled at him to let him know he was not in a huge amount of trouble - but then later I found out that he is the younger brother of one of my favorite students. Sooo as it turns out he had been warned that I'm a little crazy.

2 and 1/2 weeks to go

Spring break can not get here fast enough.

Yesterday I was explaining to one of my classes what there is left to do before spring break. And I almost cried. It was purely out of stress. I could not believe what I have left to teach.

I plan on helping students complete - two more body paragraphs - concluding paragraph, works cited page, MLA test, EAP test, finish Gatsby and turn in their final SR check. And because we have block schedule - I only have five class periods to do this. So we are looking at 500 minutes.

Gosh looking at that is almost laughable.

When I was explaining it and near tears I looked at the board and just looked back at my class and said - how are we going to do this. *Shakes my head even thinking about it now*

J: Mrs. Parsons what would make it better?
Me: Gummy Bears
The class: laughter
J: Really?
Me: Yes - Gummy Bears make everything better
Class: more laughter (and some nods of agreement)

This morning J dropped by my room and brought me a bag of Gummy Bears. Bless her little heart. It did make my day.

And I have had a better day than yesterday - and I'm giving partial credit to the bears.

Email oops

Today a random child walked into my room during class and so I turned when there was a break in reading (We are reading The Great Gatsby right now mmmmm Gatsby). I turned to the child and asked what he needed.

M: Hi Mrs. Parsons - Did you get a funny email from me
Me: Yes M I did - but I didn't have time to read it yet.
M: Don't open it
Me: What do you mean?
M: Someone hacked into my email account and sent inappropriate messages to all of my teachers and my future college coach.
Me: *with a slightly nervous laugh* ohhh that's not good
M: No - It's really not - and I'm really upset.
Me: Good luck figuring out who would do this... your college coach, man that stinks.
M: yup, I'm kinda freaking out - you can open the apology email that I sent - there is nothing inappropriate in there. Okay I have to go figure out who else to apologize to. Have a good day.
Me: Bye!

Poor kid. I can't even imagine how much that would stink!