Day 57 AIM: How do I properly teach a lesson before Thanksgiving break?

Do Now: Don’t try too hard. You won’t have that many audience members to impress. You can try discussing the historical implications of the first meal between the European settlers of the New World and the denizens of the region. But something tells me your students will instead want to discuss Turkey, why Turkey is [...]

Lose the Litost

Litost is an untranslatable Czech word, unmatched in other languages, but central to our core as humans. This abstract word provides a glimpse into our own inner longings and nature. Although there is no other word for it, everyone has had a moment where they have experienced litost. For example, the child eagerly awaiting their [...]

Day 55 AIM: Why should I never give my students candy in class?

Do Now: Watch the video and remember it the next time you consider handing out pixie stix in your class. Remember, processed sugar is a gateway drug to these kids.

Does this kid know there’s a video game where he can do this for points? He’s going to flip his shit when [...]

Day 54 AIM: How do I perfect my teacher stare?

Do Now: It’s been a few months, and you’ve been staring down kids for sometime now. They are starting to get used to the usual stare down, and it’s time to add a little gusto. Watch this video and take notes on how the team coordinates the stare down, and especially how the Todd brings [...]

Day 53 AIM: What, exactly, is “gettin’ lite?”

Do Now: Watch the following video and write down three distinct movements/actions of the subjects. Then, free-write a paragraph describing what you witnessed.

What’s fascinating is that in the seemingly chaotic flailing, there’s order and even beauty. Well, maybe not beauty, but definitely order.

Day 52 AIM: How do I deal with the blistering cold?

Do Now: Unless you’re an Eskimo Inuit or you have anti-freeze in your blood, you’re probably starting to realize how fucking cold it can get in this part of the world. Now I’m no science teacher, but I’m starting to realize the dynamics of the planetary orbit and the cycle around the sun, specifically when [...]

Day 51 AIM: How do I survive a department meeting?

Do Now: Welcome to the department of education. Per your contract, you are obligated to remain at your school one Monday afternoon a month for a faculty meeting and another afternoon thereafter for a department meeting. What do these meetings entail? Nothing more than an examination of the fiscal stability of your school and the [...]

Reflections on a Long Drive

538 miles, 8 hours in a car, two tanks of gas. Four hours driving on Friday, and four hours driving on Sunday. Many people would dread that sort of time, but for me this was the therapy that I needed this past weekend.

The weekend began with trying to get out of the City. It’s amazing [...]

Day 50 AIM: What should a teacher put on a “teacher pump up” I-pod mix?

Do Now: It’s Monday, you’re exhausted. You sheepishly squat on the train and let the world carry you to your eventual destination, an unnamed inner-city school with a generic name and a school code and number. And whether you need coffee or not to wake up, sometimes you need that extra kick in the balls [...]

Pay the Cost to be the Boss

As I sat in my class grading papers during my prep period, my mechanical motions and ruthless efficiency were interrupted by shrill sounds reverberating next door. “SIT DOWN IN YOUR SEAT!” “WHEN I SAY BE QUIET YOU NEED TO BE QUIET”….”BECAUSE I AM THE TEACHER, THAT’S WHY!” Part of me felt sympathy for the new [...]