Time Flies

Wow, I can't believe it's been over a week since my last post. One thing I'm learning about teaching is that time really flies by quickly! I'm so busy planning my work every day, then making sure it goes well in class that I never have time to stop and reflect on things (which is a core PBA philosophy :). It's true what they say about the first year of teaching, you will know exactly what you're doing as soon as it is over. But I think the students are learning a lot already, even if their are hiccups, and it will only get smoother as we go. The computer lab work is popular, and they will build a lot of skills that will help them in high school and college classes, we're learning tons of vocabulary, and they are even showing interest in grammar! Hope springs eternal.

I did get a small vacation out to Pismo Beach, but we took the wrong highway. It was the old route that was a narrow winding road through the mountains with no guard rails. Grace and Dazzlyn were so scared. But the party we went to was fun and it was great to get away from the heat for a day or two. Then yesterday we went to the circus. It was Dazzlyn and Grace's first time. There were elephants and tigers and acrobats. It was a great time. But now it's back to school work! Peace.

Settling In

Well, I'm 3 weeks into it now, and I'm starting to feel comfortable. My students and I are starting to understand each other; our personalities, abilities, and expectations. The room feels like our room now. It's so easy to see that they really to want to learn about everything. They have so many questions (even if I sometimes can't take the time to explore them), and so much they want to say. I forget what it's like to be a kid; everyone wants to tell you things and nobody wants to listen to you. I hope I can remember to listen sometimes. And clever things too, 2 days in a row Fernando asked me a riddle that I couldn't answer! As I get to know them, I can see that I really think I can help them learn and that is making me begin to relax, if I can keep up with my grading that is! :)
Peace

Payback

Just a quick posting, a couple students mentioned that it was embarrassing to have their picture posted on the internet. This should even things out; it is a photo of me from my tee-ball team when I was 7. Can you pick me out?

Of course, people had a much better sense of fashion back in those days. By coincidence my mom just mailed it to me a joke. Looking at it made me realize I wasn't much younger than my class is now, but the biggest surprise I've had as I start teaching is how incredibly sharp they all are. They know so much more than I knew when I was in 8th grade. During the first week they have argued with me about the criteria for having personal rights, and the importance of dress codes. They made solid arguments on both! I've heard people say that childhood is longer than it used to be, but looking at these students I don't agree. They seem almost grown up already. It's going to be a fun year watching them mold their independence. Peace.

L&T Week

     Wow, what an incredible roller coaster week! In case you don't know, PBA really focuses on helping students learn the writing and critical thinking skills they will need in their careers. Most every student dreams of going to university, and when you get there you can't just tell your professor what you think, you have to write it. And you have to write it well. So the first week is the Language and Thinking (L&T) Workshop, where we practice techniques to help these skills in our advisory class. They are long days, and the students get pretty drained by the end, but they work hard. Don't forget, it's just the first week of August and they have to come back to school already, in 100 degree heat!
     My class is awesome, they have so much energy that the roof almost popped off a few times. When they have an opinion, you know about it (a good thing, in the right manners).There is a lot of art talent in the class too, they were proud of the illustrated Symbol Dictionary they made together: a book defining the symbolic meaning of over 50 animals! Here's the picture of them from the first day:

Quite the little angels, right? Here's the real them:

Much more fun looking, aren't they? They are so outgoing and assertive of their opinion that it made me think about my school days and how we are very similar in some ways, but very different also. I grew up in rural Rockford, Illinois, a town about the size of Bakersfield, surrounded by corn and about 2 hours from Chicago. It's not as hot as here, but kids had the same complaints: it's so quiet and there's nothing to do. However, I went to catholic school from first grade all the way through high school. I always wondered how different public school would be. It's really different. When I was in primary school the principal had a paddle in his office for trouble students (that's right, a spanking!) and some of the nuns in high school really knew how to use a ruler (ouch). We learned at a very young age that the rules would be followed, period. They knew what was best for us, and we accepted it. We even wore a uniform with a sports coat and tie in high school. 

     At PBA they want students to explore their own opinions and decide what they think. Of course, this can make more friction at times, but I think it's great. In the end they will be strong, independent people who know why they believe what they believe, and have the skills to do anything they choose. Tomorrow our regular schedule, and my English classes, start. Peace.