They were characters that changed my life. I sat down as a young girl with a white book in my hand, plain black letters on the cover, and a rainbow in the left hand corner. The stories were simple and complex. Easy to understand and so profound. I drank up the words like someone who had been lost in the desert.
Franny and Zoey - I felt like a fly on the wall, inside that house of Glass. Seymour who longed for a life away from the world and bananafish. I felt like the stories were written just for me. I was someone who hated to read. It wasn't fun because I didn't feel like the words on the page made sense. I wanted to love reading. I've always loved books. But there was something in my way. JD took down those walls and gave me a place to sit and enjoy the experience.
As a teacher I now see Holden a couple of times a year. He helps me to talk about the issues that are important to teenagers - but as adults we are able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. He reminds me that there are still Phonies and Phoebes in the world. I've had a few students who have felt the same way about JD in the same way that I do. In fact it was one of my formers who sent me a text today letting me know that Salinger was gone.
What a life, 91 years. I can't imagine what he has seen and written about in that lifetime. It's no doubt that he will have built a system of lawyers and a team of people who will fight for his writing to be kept sacred. To be safe forever from the movies - kept on the page - where the world will be exposed to those beautiful stories and tales of human adventure. After All - I think there is a little Holden in all of us.
Thank you Mr. Salinger - Thank you.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Teaching Writing
I have a little confession to make.
I love teaching the research paper. Now don't get me wrong - I struggle getting through the grading of them. And when there are 180 to grade - yikes!
But there is something about the process that I really enjoy. It's nice to know what's coming. What my expectations are. What goals are set. I also like knowing that students really are learning something. They are looking for information to help them get a grade - but at the same time they are reading over articles and learning about a current event/issue in society. We have great topics this year - from Autism to Global Warming.
When I first talk about the topics I get excited about it. My students often say "Mrs. Parsons you seem so excited about this" and part of it is - I love to learn. I want to know and find out and be exposed to what is going on in the world. I look forward to reading my students writing. They really are able to teach me in the process of their own learning.
So here I begin the journey - deep into the darkness of Research - there will be a little smile on my face.
I love teaching the research paper. Now don't get me wrong - I struggle getting through the grading of them. And when there are 180 to grade - yikes!
But there is something about the process that I really enjoy. It's nice to know what's coming. What my expectations are. What goals are set. I also like knowing that students really are learning something. They are looking for information to help them get a grade - but at the same time they are reading over articles and learning about a current event/issue in society. We have great topics this year - from Autism to Global Warming.
When I first talk about the topics I get excited about it. My students often say "Mrs. Parsons you seem so excited about this" and part of it is - I love to learn. I want to know and find out and be exposed to what is going on in the world. I look forward to reading my students writing. They really are able to teach me in the process of their own learning.
So here I begin the journey - deep into the darkness of Research - there will be a little smile on my face.
Friday, January 22, 2010
a new show
Thank you Fox. I had heard about this little show where kids sing and dance. A few of my students were discussing it and so I thought I would give it a chance. Boy am I happy! I have rented the first season so that when it comes back in April I'll be ready and caught up.The music is modern and really pretty accurate as far as social groups within a high school. Sure it's exaggerated almost to the point of being silly - but it has heart and morals.
And I love it!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Hail Caesar!
It was awesome. The weather was perfect (gloomy just like in the first act). The kids were loving the outfit.
Here's the play-by-play.
Got to school and made copies of the quiz. It was only a five question multiple choice 'pop quiz'.
*Side note - As a teacher I don't believe in pop quizzes. I think that in life we generally have the ability to know when things we will be tested on will arise. What good does it do for a kid to not know that a quiz is coming. So when I plan on giving a quiz to kids that they don't know about far in advance I give them the heads up.
"Okay class we just covered Shakespeare and his Play Julius Caesar - we will begin the play next week. The information we just covered is important and you will need to remember it because there MIGHT be a QUIZ on TUESDAY - WINK WINK - NUDGE NUDGE!."
One child raises their hand - Mrs. Parsons
Me - Yes child
Child - ummm so like is there going to be a quiz is that why you told us that?
Me. - I think it would be a good idea to study because there might be a quiz
Child - so like .... ummm *child turns to person next to him and whispers* there is gonna be a quiz
Child #2 - YES THERE IS A QUIZ
Me - yup.
I guess my side note was longer than I planned. please excuse.
Made Copies
Got in my Caesar gear. Headband - Sheet and Sword.
Welcomed kids to class as they came to my room.
- other students seeing me in this outfit inspired laughter and questions to my fellow teachers like "how come you never dress up"
Did some house keeping business and then got to reading.
They did really well stopping and asking for clarification with what was going on in the play.
We are listening to it on CD rather than read it. It helps to go faster and the different voices make it easier to understand than having students read the different parts. Also pronunciation is much easier once they have heard int played on the CD.
We got through the fist scene in the first act. and a bit into scene ii.
Overall i think it's a great start to a great unit!
Here's the play-by-play.
Got to school and made copies of the quiz. It was only a five question multiple choice 'pop quiz'.
*Side note - As a teacher I don't believe in pop quizzes. I think that in life we generally have the ability to know when things we will be tested on will arise. What good does it do for a kid to not know that a quiz is coming. So when I plan on giving a quiz to kids that they don't know about far in advance I give them the heads up.
"Okay class we just covered Shakespeare and his Play Julius Caesar - we will begin the play next week. The information we just covered is important and you will need to remember it because there MIGHT be a QUIZ on TUESDAY - WINK WINK - NUDGE NUDGE!."
One child raises their hand - Mrs. Parsons
Me - Yes child
Child - ummm so like is there going to be a quiz is that why you told us that?
Me. - I think it would be a good idea to study because there might be a quiz
Child - so like .... ummm *child turns to person next to him and whispers* there is gonna be a quiz
Child #2 - YES THERE IS A QUIZ
Me - yup.
I guess my side note was longer than I planned. please excuse.
Made Copies
Got in my Caesar gear. Headband - Sheet and Sword.
Welcomed kids to class as they came to my room.
- other students seeing me in this outfit inspired laughter and questions to my fellow teachers like "how come you never dress up"
Did some house keeping business and then got to reading.
They did really well stopping and asking for clarification with what was going on in the play.
We are listening to it on CD rather than read it. It helps to go faster and the different voices make it easier to understand than having students read the different parts. Also pronunciation is much easier once they have heard int played on the CD.
We got through the fist scene in the first act. and a bit into scene ii.
Overall i think it's a great start to a great unit!
Monday, January 18, 2010
and i only burnt myself once
who doesn't love a hot glue gun? - everyone loves a hot glue gun, but the hot sometimes is not so great.
You might be asking yourself - why is kelly talking about glue guns
Well it's because i am teaching Julius Caesar to my 10th graders. Again i can see the questions in your mind. Have no fear - No Fear of Shakespeare! - glue guns help put together a costume in order to get students geared up for what is sure to be a bit of a challenge. Shakespeare is not easy to read - even in college the reason i got through my Shakespeare class was due to some good study sessions and sparknotes. So i figured to get these kids interested i'd dress up.
but where would i get an amazing roman costume. Why Walmart of course. - And a little help from TJMax.
Sheet Set - 2.00
Glue sticks - 2.50
Christmas Wreath - 5.00
Headbands - 3.50
Foam sword - 2.00
15$ total - split between myself and my dear teacher friend Nicole - and we are set for an amazing adventure.
Here is what was created!
Who wouldn't want to learn like this!
You might be asking yourself - why is kelly talking about glue guns
Well it's because i am teaching Julius Caesar to my 10th graders. Again i can see the questions in your mind. Have no fear - No Fear of Shakespeare! - glue guns help put together a costume in order to get students geared up for what is sure to be a bit of a challenge. Shakespeare is not easy to read - even in college the reason i got through my Shakespeare class was due to some good study sessions and sparknotes. So i figured to get these kids interested i'd dress up.
but where would i get an amazing roman costume. Why Walmart of course. - And a little help from TJMax.
Sheet Set - 2.00
Glue sticks - 2.50
Christmas Wreath - 5.00
Headbands - 3.50
Foam sword - 2.00
15$ total - split between myself and my dear teacher friend Nicole - and we are set for an amazing adventure.
Here is what was created!
Who wouldn't want to learn like this!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
oh.my,stars.
Got up - thinking this was going to be an amazing day.
Yesterday I had a 'drive by' and my principal stayed for almost 30 minutes enjoying my class. Had a great lesson going before he even walked in the room and so it was wonderful to have him stop by.
I was so happy and thinking that today was also going to be as great as yesterday.
Then I made a choice - one that I regret - I was hungry - so I put popcorn in my microwave.
And it burnt.
And it created smoke.
A lot of smoke... (No Flames!) And when smoke happens in a classroom it's not good.
It set the alarm of. The School Wide alarm. So that means 3,200 people have to leave what they are doing and go out to their safe spots.
The alarm only went off for about 2 minutes. because the office called me and asked what the problem was - All I could say was "It was my popcorn and I'm so sorry, I'm just so sorry."
Everything turned out okay. I'm VERY embarrassed. Was shaking and crying while it was happening. But in about three or four weeks I'll be laughing about it. But I won't be eating popcorn for a while. a long long.... long while.
Yesterday I had a 'drive by' and my principal stayed for almost 30 minutes enjoying my class. Had a great lesson going before he even walked in the room and so it was wonderful to have him stop by.
I was so happy and thinking that today was also going to be as great as yesterday.
Then I made a choice - one that I regret - I was hungry - so I put popcorn in my microwave.
And it burnt.
And it created smoke.
A lot of smoke... (No Flames!) And when smoke happens in a classroom it's not good.
It set the alarm of. The School Wide alarm. So that means 3,200 people have to leave what they are doing and go out to their safe spots.
The alarm only went off for about 2 minutes. because the office called me and asked what the problem was - All I could say was "It was my popcorn and I'm so sorry, I'm just so sorry."
Everything turned out okay. I'm VERY embarrassed. Was shaking and crying while it was happening. But in about three or four weeks I'll be laughing about it. But I won't be eating popcorn for a while. a long long.... long while.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
internal struggle
I'm bad at keeping track of what i teach and when i teach it.
obviously this is a strength that i would like to work on. and at the beginning of every semester i try my best to keep a little book of notes. what i liked about something - what to fix for next year. this is the thing - i never go back to them the next year. i always tell myself i will but i just don't. does this go against everything i was ever taught while i was getting my degree - YES.
I can't tell you how many times i was told that i would be writing formal lesson plans for the rest of my life. i would like to say that is true - it's not. there are really only two times that i write out a lesson plan and that is when i'm not going to be at school - and that's never (i only miss about 3 or 4 days a year - and if i could avoid it i would be at work every day). the other is when i'm going to be observed by one of my admin. I would like to say that i worry about being observed. but really - the idea no longer bothers me. i have to be honest and it is something i enjoy. i love what i do and based on the feedback i get from my students (and the state test scores i get back) i'm good at it. i like having people come in and see what i'm doing. it pushes me to be a better teacher.
so what do i do about keeping track of my lessons? i'll continue to keep pushing myself to write things down - and continue to push forward with my plan that i always start with. and maybe this time will be when it takes root and grows the way i hope it will.
obviously this is a strength that i would like to work on. and at the beginning of every semester i try my best to keep a little book of notes. what i liked about something - what to fix for next year. this is the thing - i never go back to them the next year. i always tell myself i will but i just don't. does this go against everything i was ever taught while i was getting my degree - YES.
I can't tell you how many times i was told that i would be writing formal lesson plans for the rest of my life. i would like to say that is true - it's not. there are really only two times that i write out a lesson plan and that is when i'm not going to be at school - and that's never (i only miss about 3 or 4 days a year - and if i could avoid it i would be at work every day). the other is when i'm going to be observed by one of my admin. I would like to say that i worry about being observed. but really - the idea no longer bothers me. i have to be honest and it is something i enjoy. i love what i do and based on the feedback i get from my students (and the state test scores i get back) i'm good at it. i like having people come in and see what i'm doing. it pushes me to be a better teacher.
so what do i do about keeping track of my lessons? i'll continue to keep pushing myself to write things down - and continue to push forward with my plan that i always start with. and maybe this time will be when it takes root and grows the way i hope it will.
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