Guys,
I’m just needing to share. It’s Wednesday of my first week back. 195 students. (I know, I already told you that). I am exhausted at the end of the school day. I treat that by a trip to the gym and then red wine when I get home (one of them has to work).
I am having such a blast. For the first time, I have my walls covered with Word Wall, my DEA (Daily Engagement Assessment) “rules” (but I call them tips), and Safety Net Words, as well as question words. I am assigning two jobs right now–Dinumerator (counters–at least 3 per class) and Scriptor (writer). Any given period, I gaze around and find those who are on the verge of losing their upstraight, square shouldered bright eyed posture, and make them the Dinumeratores. I then look for a four percenter who is looking even slightly bored and make him/her the scriptor. Wow! The focus these jobs bring to them is unfuckingbelievable. (sorry, I don’t often use the f-word). Today, more than a few times, we all got just wonderfully lost in a story. We were laughing and the creativity was flowing and we all just loved the moment. And then the damn bell rang. How wonderful!
Today, 7th period, we were lost in the story, and I had not gotten to the good part and the bell rang and there was a collective groan. How good is that? It’s the end of the school day. They get to go home. And they groan because the story is not done.
That’s it. Just needed to say it. Ben, the PLC is a huge treasury. Thank you. You’ve come into your own, creating this wonderful place for us. I recommended it to our new French teacher today. She is frustrated, and I can tell from two conversations that she will love your space.
Bob
Robert Patrick, M.Div, PhD NBCT-Latin Metro-Atlanta, GA
Everything has its music. Everything has the genes of God inside. Hafiz