Today I got to play teacher. Yes, I know I'm in charge, but since the semester began I haven't actually run class very many days because I have an excellent student teacher who has taken over the whole shebang. However, today she was ill. (A nasty cold / strep has been circulating and she succumbed!) I had to laugh last night when I received her email telling me what the kids were supposed to be doing. She ended with "Let me know if you have any questions." The irony was just too much for me.
Actually, I've grown a little bored this week watching class. Up until now she's still needed some guidance in planning and materials prep, but this week she just took the reins and made all the decisions. This is a great thing, because she's learning to deal with all aspects of teaching while I'm there to help if she needs it - but she hasn't needed it lately. So, I was pretty excited to run class today; after all, the juniors are in the midst of reading Of Mice and Men and the freshman are preparing to write a comparison/contrast essay on poetic elements. I realize these things may seem like drudgery to some people, but they are my idea of fun. (I'm such a geek!)
The best part of the day was working with the freshman in small groups to analyze their assigned poems. We picked them apart for theme, structure, and figurative language which provided plenty of opportunities for discussion, interpretation, and joviality. We had a great time talking about archaic language, 17th century dress, death, destruction, hatred, and revenge. On days like this one, I know why I show up to work even when the job (particularly dealing with administration and paperwork) is fraught with frustration. Second semester, the kids always seem to make a giant leap forward which makes them much more enjoyable to work with. While I hope Meg feels better, I have to admit that I'd like her to take another day off to rest.
Actually, I've grown a little bored this week watching class. Up until now she's still needed some guidance in planning and materials prep, but this week she just took the reins and made all the decisions. This is a great thing, because she's learning to deal with all aspects of teaching while I'm there to help if she needs it - but she hasn't needed it lately. So, I was pretty excited to run class today; after all, the juniors are in the midst of reading Of Mice and Men and the freshman are preparing to write a comparison/contrast essay on poetic elements. I realize these things may seem like drudgery to some people, but they are my idea of fun. (I'm such a geek!)
The best part of the day was working with the freshman in small groups to analyze their assigned poems. We picked them apart for theme, structure, and figurative language which provided plenty of opportunities for discussion, interpretation, and joviality. We had a great time talking about archaic language, 17th century dress, death, destruction, hatred, and revenge. On days like this one, I know why I show up to work even when the job (particularly dealing with administration and paperwork) is fraught with frustration. Second semester, the kids always seem to make a giant leap forward which makes them much more enjoyable to work with. While I hope Meg feels better, I have to admit that I'd like her to take another day off to rest.
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