Delicious indeed, this vertiginous bundling of dread and excitement, alternating waves tensing and relaxing the muscles in my shoulders and back. Tomorrow the students return to the Booker and I've got to be ready. I ping from extreme to extreme, thinking one moment "Dude, I'm totally prepared, and I'm going to ROCK" and the very next "Oh my God I'm never going to be able to control a classroom full of urban sixth graders. They are going to eat me alive and I'll be working at BK in two months' time."I spent six hours lesson planning today, and am ready through Tuesday. Six hours, you may ask, to plan two days' worth of lessons? Yes. I am not playing. I made movies with music and special effects to show. I recorded myself talking about the importance of words and language and spliced in pictures of Beyonce and Outkast and Lil Wayne. I was told to use technology and the arts in my classroom, and I am not playing around.Time permitting, I'll keep you up to date as the year progresses. I saw a former student from last year dealing on McCulloh St Friday. I watched him ride his bike up to the corner, unload a bag, take money, and then count his stack. My vantage point? The classroom windown behind my desk. This student beat another into a coma outside our classroom last year, stomping on his victim's face after knocking him uncoscious. He is no joke, and reminds me that when I'm watching season V of The Wire that truth is worse than fiction.[image]
Sunday, August 24, 2008
on the precipice
Delicious indeed, this vertiginous bundling of dread and excitement, alternating waves tensing and relaxing the muscles in my shoulders and back. Tomorrow the students return to the Booker and I've got to be ready. I ping from extreme to extreme, thinking one moment "Dude, I'm totally prepared, and I'm going to ROCK" and the very next "Oh my God I'm never going to be able to control a classroom full of urban sixth graders. They are going to eat me alive and I'll be working at BK in two months' time."I spent six hours lesson planning today, and am ready through Tuesday. Six hours, you may ask, to plan two days' worth of lessons? Yes. I am not playing. I made movies with music and special effects to show. I recorded myself talking about the importance of words and language and spliced in pictures of Beyonce and Outkast and Lil Wayne. I was told to use technology and the arts in my classroom, and I am not playing around.Time permitting, I'll keep you up to date as the year progresses. I saw a former student from last year dealing on McCulloh St Friday. I watched him ride his bike up to the corner, unload a bag, take money, and then count his stack. My vantage point? The classroom windown behind my desk. This student beat another into a coma outside our classroom last year, stomping on his victim's face after knocking him uncoscious. He is no joke, and reminds me that when I'm watching season V of The Wire that truth is worse than fiction.[image]
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5 comments:
For some reason your blog design is all wacky just happened since Friday, the background is white and all the type is not ragging to a column. Any thoughts about why?
I am not seeing what Alicia is seeing at all.
I just dropped in to say I will be thinking of you tomorrow as you start your new journey big brother...from the stuff you have planned, it sounds like you are making it real to them! I am so proud of you..GOOD LUCK.
Lil Sis
The blog is messed up, no idea why. The titles and paragraphs meander on my screen, but the background is still black. Can't find the glitch yet.
Oh, and thanks! I'll need it.
Hey Son! The blog is fine on my end. Looks the same except it's missing the Amazon links. Good luck with your 6th graders. I'm sure you'll rock and be their favorite teacher ever. You cousin that played at your wedding told me yesterday that she's been teaching in inner city Harrisburg for 25 years and wouldn't go anywhere else. She feels she's making an impact. I'm sure you'll do that too. I'm proud of you (but scared)!
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