This is my new number one story of all time. It rocked today. I had so much fun bc the transitions are so clear. The flow is easy. We can ask what kind of jewerly the kid wants which allows us to teach all kinds of vocabulary like lip rings – in one class a kid wanted a car and of course got a little plastic one.(I thought of Blaine and his plastic ducks.
Try this just for the mell of hit. Turn all their desks to face you. None of this fancy they face each other crap. If you want their attention, make them face you. Then you only hire a story writer and maybe an artist but no quiz writer. Then tell them that you are going to grade them on what you see in their behaviors, and be sure to explain the difference between behavior and behaviors as per Jody Noble’s majorific important distinction here a few days ago.
Explain the Interspersonal Mode and how in language classes this is how kids will be graded in the future, and that the grade on how many questions they can answer correctly is not really going to be a factor. (I will use less quick quizzes next year, probably only if being observed, to allow more time for MEDI – Metacognition Discussions – and CI in general). Ask them if they like that idea, not having to listen for a quiz. Watch what they say. They will be very happy. Then, engage them with a script like this bad ass futher mucker:
Cheap Jewelry
cheap/expensive
lies
I don’t believe you
Colby has a girlfriend named Miranda. Her birthday is today. Colby asks her, “What do you want for your birthday?” Miranda says, “Jewelry.” Colby goes to the fish market and buys a cheap necklace. It costs 25 cents. He gives it to Miranda. He lies and says, “It was very expensive.” Miranda says, “I don’t believe you!” and gives it back.
Colby goes to the Dollar Store and buys a cheap ring. It costs one dollar. He gives it to Miranda. He lies and says, “It was very expensive.” Miranda says, “I don’t believe you!” and gives it back.
Colby goes to Wal-Mart and buys a cheap nose ring. It costs 79 cents. He gives it to Miranda. He lies and says, “It was very expensive.” Miranda says, “I don’t believe you. It’s over!” and goes away. Colby gives the nose ring to his mother. “It was very expensive,” he says. His mother believes him. “Thank you,” she says. “You are a good son.”
Note from Anne in her book: You could end “Cheap Jewelry” differently: the boy could actually buy something expensive, or the girl could believe him the last time. I highly recommend having a few props on hand for this. It doesn’t even have to be real jewelry. I rifled through my desk drawers and found a large paper clip, a lanyard, and a few other assorted items that could pass for jewelry. As the boy went to the different stores, I ushered him over to my desk and allowed him to pick the next gift. I, of course, determined what it was: a necklace, a ring, or a nose ring. It’s fun to have him actually put the item on the girl, with gusto, and then let the girl rip it off and give it back.