Day 7: September 3, 2009

I think that today was, in many ways, pretty valuable. I've felt, for the past week, in doing procedures, course information, pre-assessments, that I wasn't getting anything done. I mean, on an intellectual level, I realize that this is exactly the kind of stuff you're supposed to be doing in the first two weeks of school, but I still felt impatient. I want to be a teacher. Let's get to teaching already. Srsly. I'm ready.

Well, today I didn't really teach. Instead I played a supporting role as Mrs. Blank showed how she delivers content. Which was, in its way, a relief. I didn't feel any huge pressure; instead I could feel free to chime in and agree or embellish, pass out papers, etc. And I got to observe as she interacted with her students.

Note 1: She asked students as much as possible how much they already knew, and tried to build on that. In a subject like government, where what you teach is dictated by the state and rigorously tested, there is a temptation to talk about content like it's something rote and static. Which it is. But in addressing it the way she did, it was more like a conversation. Overall, it was really impressive, considering how we were talking about Locke, Hobbes, and natural rights, and most of them didn't have a fucking clue what that noise was all about.

Note 2: I got to see how she differentiated between the AP classes and the on-level classes, while still delivering basically the same information. The APs had more independent work, and she was able to move from topic-to-topic quicker, while she spent more effort in the on level class working with them and ensuring that they understood the question.

Note 3: Every class had a couple people who knew the information already, and a majority who didn't. It seemed like she did a good job of keeping the kids who knew that material entertained while ensuring the rest of the class was following along.


Also, choice quotes from Craig:

Craig: You know how Mexico is sending people and invading our country? I think that we should send all of the people on welfare to Mexico to see how they like it.

Mrs Blank: Handshakes, hugging, clasping hands, spitting in hands -- that's an Arabic way of sealing agreements.
Craig: Is that why they smell?

Did I mention that Craig says racist things sometimes? Because Craig says racist things sometimes.