Do Now: What a week. Just back from break, still in the midst of winter, and in the longest stretch of the semester. It’s nothing but open ocean for a long time. So take a moment this weekend to enjoy yourself. Do something nice for you. Splurge on something you wouldn’t normally splurge on. Buy [...]
Entries from February 2009
February 26, 2009
Day 106 AIM: What should a teacher give up for Lent?
Do Now: Think about something that you cannot live without. No, not oxygen or water—you need that shit. Think more like non-essentials that have become essential because of your shallow materialism. These should be the targets of your Lent holiday, the things that’ll really get the message of the month across straight.
For those of you [...]
February 26, 2009
Telling it Like it Is
So after a nice break, including another successful round of regents and an end of a semester, it’s time to start bringing the heat once again. We’ve only got a few months left in our second year of teaching, and somebody has to tell you like it is from the view of a young educator [...]
February 25, 2009
Day 105 AIM: How can I tell a student they smell bad?
Do Now: Look, everyone has the smelly kid in class. You know, the little fucker who cannot wash themselves on a regular basis or the kid who thinks that socks are clean if they are “white” and not “worn.” But if classroom management is an important issue, then so is hygiene management. You are a [...]
February 24, 2009
Don’t Bakke out of the Affirmative Action Debate
As a teacher in the South Bronx educating a population that is 80% Hispanic and 19% African American, there are thousands of mitigating factors that may hinder student’s progress and academic prowess. In one of the poorest Congressional districts in the nation students are surrounded by crime, gang violence, drugs, and broken homes. In the [...]
February 24, 2009
Day 104 AIM: How can I poetically express the thrill of the open sea?
Do Now: Just watch as you’re at Kinko’s flippin’ copies…
February 11, 2009
Day 100 AIM: How do I celebrate the 100th day of school?
Do Now: Teach. Teach like your hair is on fire. Teach the shit out of your kids. Yes, it’s 100 days down, but it’s also 80 more to go. Give yourself a pat on the back, bud, and get back to the trenches. If you were expecting more of a hug or a pinata party, [...]
February 11, 2009
Confidence is Half the Battle
As a gumshoe first year teacher, it is easy to second guess yourself, to waver over words, and be perplexed over the antidote for turning your class from demons to angels. Daily, it seems, we are thrust into situations where unexpected actions from our students, lead to fledgling responses from teachers. These responses can end [...]
February 10, 2009
Day 99 AIM: What’s a good way to put my frustrating life in perspective?
Do Now: Go to Fuck My Life, a hilarious website that pokes fun at life’s infinite shittyness. For example, here’s my favorite:
Today, at the elementary school where I teach, the kids all voted for their favorite teacher. I was the only one to receive zero votes. When I asked a small group of students why [...]
February 6, 2009
Day 97 AIM: How do I make sure that my students are continually paying attention?
Do Now: If you have annualized classes, or the same group of kids, by now the routine has been established. Students can enter your room essentially on auto-pilot and get the essential information that they need. As a teacher, you need to keep them on their toes at all times. One way you can do [...]
