Well, I have officially been a college graduate for a month, and I can tell you this: College graduation is underwhelming. When you graduate from high school, there's this huge sense of expectancy and looking at the future--making your own way and your own path. When you graduate from college, you go to work. In fact, I went to work the day after my college graduation (and the fourteen days straight after that). Talk about jumping into the "real world." But I'm not complaining. I didn't start a teaching job, obviously, because during those fourteen days that I was working every teacher in the country was kicking back and loving their winter break. I got a job at a great little boutique near my house, and I work with two other wonderful women, who I already love dearly, selling some pretty fabulous clothes that I am constantly tempted to spend my paycheck on. When I got this job in November, my mother's response was "Wow, Jess, way to use your degree!" Thanks, mom. While this job has nothing to do with my degree, I thought, after the hustle and chaos of my student teaching semester, that I wanted a breather--six months to catch my breath and apply for jobs for the fall.
But I cannot tell a lie, I miss being in the classroom so much. I love chaos and noise and the sound of middle school dramas in the hallways. I finally got my teaching license in the mail this week, and that's when it really hit me that I just could not wait to get into a classroom again. And so the search begins for a new classroom, new students, and another new experience for me, my first "real, big girl job." In the meantime, I plan to continue blogging, but from a new "middle place." I've been debating for the past month, since graduation, whether or not I would continue this blog. But I've learned a few things, even in the past month that I feel are important to throw out into the expansive blogging universe, and, technically, I'm still in the middle. Now I'm in what I like to think of as the "almost grown-up" middle--that place between graduating from school and finding my first "real job." I think we can all learn a lot from living in limbo. So for at least the next six months (hopefully that's all because I'll get a teaching job!) I'll be blogging about wisdom from a new "middle place."
While I've actually learned lots of little random lessons since I graduated into the "real world," I'll just share three with you for now.
1. When your dad tells you to always check that hose behind your washing machine before you do laundry, do it. That's right, I flooded my entire laundry room. Like not just a little bit. I'm talking about a semi-Noah's ark situation on my laundry room floor. Even when you think you're a grownup, your parents still know best. True story.
2. Don't put off until tomorrow what you could do today. Yes. I just used an extremely overused euphemism to provide wisdom. But it really is so applicable. For example, if you're sick today, go to the doctor today. Don't wait until you can barely function (I did this and was sick for a month). If your GRE is in a week, study today (not the night before for two hours-ish....oops!). I've found that this little saying has become very applicable in my life. For some reason, having a little less on my plate has increased my tendency toward procrastination. Go figure.
3. Most importantly, have a little faith. After I made it through the craziness of the holidays, I sat down and started to think about my future. It only took me about five minutes of thinking about that to have a mini panic attack that I would never get hired, never find a significant other, never go anywhere with my life, etc., etc. It's almost like graduating brings on a little quarter life crisis. However, I took a deep breath and realized that all those things weren't going to come on my timing. They'll come when the time is right. And that's a God thing, not a "me" thing. While I still occasionally have moments of "where am I going" thoughts, I have gotten comfortable with the idea of working my hardest and having a little faith. I know I'll end up right where I'm supposed to be. And right now I'm pretty positive I'm just supposed to be right here. Happy almost weekend!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Monday, December 13, 2010
Top Ten Lessons
Well, I said I was going to get better about blogging regularly, but obviously I accidentally told a lie. The past month has been like a tornado. I blew through so many activities and commitments and events that I simply didn't have time. All month I kept thinking, "This would be SO great to blog about!" But I just never got around to it. I guess that's part of being a teacher. You start to strip the nonessentials in favor of actually getting work done.
Anyway, here we are...the last week of school. All of my assignments and journals and assessments are turned in, and all that's left to do is look back. I've learned so much this semester. I honestly feel like I've learned how to be a "real" teacher, both from my mentor teacher (who happens to be a educational rock star) and from my students (who happen to be pretty awesome as well). I've experienced so many things, both funny and heartbreaking; I've gained insight into what it really means to teach middle school. And so, to close out the semester I've decided to compile a Top Ten of 2010: The real wisdom from the middle.
Here we go...
10. Never wear skinny jeans to school on Fridays. Actually, it might be better advice to not wear skinny jeans EVER, because middle school boys are awkward, and you may find out later that you were the topic of less than savory discussions in the hallway after the fact.
9. Never stop smiling. LOTS of teachers tell you "Now don't even think about smiling at ALL your first year, but this semester I've had so many reasons to smile. When it got hard to smile, because I was tired or overwhelmed, I always seemed to have a student who made me to get over it and smile anyway. Smiling truly is proof to me that it's the little things that count the most.
8. Never tell students they've broken your heart by talking when you're talking. You'll have some brave soul who responds, "So if I talk I get a piece of your heart? I'm never shutting up!" Yes. That happened.
7. Always find the common ground. I saw firsthand this semester how important it can be to find common interests with students. I talked about football and music and fashion--anything to try to get to know my students. I learned more than I ever thought I would.
6. Always be willing to be a secret-keeper. I think it is so important to gain students' trust. I had several students this semester that I'm pretty sure did not like me or were at least highly skeptical of me as this semester began. Building their trust and showing them that I was worthy of their trust made everything better.
5. Always know it's ok to look stupid in the name of education. Sometimes, you just have to make a fool of yourself to get students to snap out of it an pay attention. I can't tell you how many days I felt more like a performer than a teacher. You have to put on a show, and sometimes that means you can't look cool. I'm OK with that.
4. Never give up on a kid. I almost did that. I felt like I had tried absolutely everything, but then I sat and thought about how many other teachers tried absolutely everything and decided to give up. Middle school is when kids start to completely check out. I want to keep my kids checked in, but more importantly, I want them to have a reason to want to come to school. If knowing that one teacher refuses to give up is the only reason, then so be it.
3. Make new friends. I LOVE the middle school where I teach. I will miss our amazing media specialist and the English department teachers and, most of all, I'll miss my mentor teacher. When my university supervisor told me we were a match made in heaven, he was not joking. I'll miss working with her everyday, learning from her experience, and just talking. She truly has been a mentor and a great friend.
2. Don't be a coconut. A student told me this semester that she was like a coconut, hard on the outside and soft on the inside, where she could get hurt. I learned this semester that you can't be too hard on the outside. You have to show kids that you have a heart--that you care about their wellbeing and want to hear what they have to say. By being that kind of teacher, I learned how to communicate with students in a much more effective way.
1. ALWAYS monitor and adjust. Story of my life. This semester has almost killed me. I've taught school, worked three jobs, and made my very best attempt to be a good friend and sister and daughter. I honestly don't have any clue how I made everything fit this semester, but I do know that there was much monitoring and adjusting involved. Things change, our lives change and get upside down, and we can either get lost in the change or deal with it and fix things. I have definitely learned the importance of adjusting in so many aspects of my life this semester, and it's a skill that I will always carry with me.
So there you have it--my Top Ten of 2010. I learned so many lessons, but these are the ones that stick out in my mind. I'll try to fit in one more blog this week, but I hope my wisdom has added to your wisdom this semester. Until then, have a fantastic week!
Anyway, here we are...the last week of school. All of my assignments and journals and assessments are turned in, and all that's left to do is look back. I've learned so much this semester. I honestly feel like I've learned how to be a "real" teacher, both from my mentor teacher (who happens to be a educational rock star) and from my students (who happen to be pretty awesome as well). I've experienced so many things, both funny and heartbreaking; I've gained insight into what it really means to teach middle school. And so, to close out the semester I've decided to compile a Top Ten of 2010: The real wisdom from the middle.
Here we go...
10. Never wear skinny jeans to school on Fridays. Actually, it might be better advice to not wear skinny jeans EVER, because middle school boys are awkward, and you may find out later that you were the topic of less than savory discussions in the hallway after the fact.
9. Never stop smiling. LOTS of teachers tell you "Now don't even think about smiling at ALL your first year, but this semester I've had so many reasons to smile. When it got hard to smile, because I was tired or overwhelmed, I always seemed to have a student who made me to get over it and smile anyway. Smiling truly is proof to me that it's the little things that count the most.
8. Never tell students they've broken your heart by talking when you're talking. You'll have some brave soul who responds, "So if I talk I get a piece of your heart? I'm never shutting up!" Yes. That happened.
7. Always find the common ground. I saw firsthand this semester how important it can be to find common interests with students. I talked about football and music and fashion--anything to try to get to know my students. I learned more than I ever thought I would.
6. Always be willing to be a secret-keeper. I think it is so important to gain students' trust. I had several students this semester that I'm pretty sure did not like me or were at least highly skeptical of me as this semester began. Building their trust and showing them that I was worthy of their trust made everything better.
5. Always know it's ok to look stupid in the name of education. Sometimes, you just have to make a fool of yourself to get students to snap out of it an pay attention. I can't tell you how many days I felt more like a performer than a teacher. You have to put on a show, and sometimes that means you can't look cool. I'm OK with that.
4. Never give up on a kid. I almost did that. I felt like I had tried absolutely everything, but then I sat and thought about how many other teachers tried absolutely everything and decided to give up. Middle school is when kids start to completely check out. I want to keep my kids checked in, but more importantly, I want them to have a reason to want to come to school. If knowing that one teacher refuses to give up is the only reason, then so be it.
3. Make new friends. I LOVE the middle school where I teach. I will miss our amazing media specialist and the English department teachers and, most of all, I'll miss my mentor teacher. When my university supervisor told me we were a match made in heaven, he was not joking. I'll miss working with her everyday, learning from her experience, and just talking. She truly has been a mentor and a great friend.
2. Don't be a coconut. A student told me this semester that she was like a coconut, hard on the outside and soft on the inside, where she could get hurt. I learned this semester that you can't be too hard on the outside. You have to show kids that you have a heart--that you care about their wellbeing and want to hear what they have to say. By being that kind of teacher, I learned how to communicate with students in a much more effective way.
1. ALWAYS monitor and adjust. Story of my life. This semester has almost killed me. I've taught school, worked three jobs, and made my very best attempt to be a good friend and sister and daughter. I honestly don't have any clue how I made everything fit this semester, but I do know that there was much monitoring and adjusting involved. Things change, our lives change and get upside down, and we can either get lost in the change or deal with it and fix things. I have definitely learned the importance of adjusting in so many aspects of my life this semester, and it's a skill that I will always carry with me.
So there you have it--my Top Ten of 2010. I learned so many lessons, but these are the ones that stick out in my mind. I'll try to fit in one more blog this week, but I hope my wisdom has added to your wisdom this semester. Until then, have a fantastic week!
Friday, November 12, 2010
Shortcuts and Back Roads
I said I was going to be better about blogging on a regular basis, so I'm trying to stay true to my word. Today was DEAR day, just like every Friday. During English, students Drop Everything and Read. It's my favorite day of the week, because it means I get to read, too. It also means I don't have to talk a lot or teach a lot. So, really, the week (kind of) ends on Thursday. However, in addition to reading today, I asked my students to annotate two short poems.....for weekend homework. Ugh. That dreaded thing that every student hates. I know. I felt awful. But you simply can't get everything done in class. It's impossible.
I made it through most of the day without many complaints, but then 6th period walked in....Don't get me wrong, I love 6th period. I blog about them all the time. They've got personality, for sure, but sometimes with personality comes attitude. Today they brought the attitude. This conversation, in particular, stands out:
Student: "Ms. Herring, can't I just circle the word in the poem? Why do I have to explain the connotation?"
Me: "Because I want to see your thinking. I need to know why that word is important."
Student: (Whiney voice starts here) "But why?"
Me: "Why is it such a big deal?"
Student: "Because...it's just SO much more writing!"
Me: "Well then, why don't you just do it your way, since you obviously just want to argue with me after I've already given you an answer."
(Insert intense sighing, huffing, puffing, and muttering here)
It was frustrating for me, but also an understandable and rational complaint. We all look for shortcuts everyday. Why would do things the long and proper way when we can get there so much faster if we start cutting corners? This question is applicable far beyond the realm of school work. Think about our relationships. How easy is it to cut corners there? Text instead of call. Narrow a friendship down to lunch once a month or an occassional "Hi, how are you" Facebook post. We are always trying to cut down on the amount of effort we have to exert to get things done.
Having had a little time to reflect on this, I think there's something to be said for taking the back roads occassionally--for stretching things out and letting them dwell. My favorite conversations with friends are the ones that start out as one cup of coffee and end up being five because we just can't stop talking. I love those family dinners that are supposed to be an hour and last all night because we're laughing and telling stories and looking at old photographs. The relationships that last are the ones that are grounded in the back roads. They're an investment, so they're worth all our time.
I know this is a far stretch from being frustrated with a student who wanted to shortcut my instructions, but it's true. So the wisdom for today is to take a few back roads and see where they lead you. I'm hoping to take a few this weekend, just to slow down and see where they take me. I have a feeling they lead to a pretty great place.
I made it through most of the day without many complaints, but then 6th period walked in....Don't get me wrong, I love 6th period. I blog about them all the time. They've got personality, for sure, but sometimes with personality comes attitude. Today they brought the attitude. This conversation, in particular, stands out:
Student: "Ms. Herring, can't I just circle the word in the poem? Why do I have to explain the connotation?"
Me: "Because I want to see your thinking. I need to know why that word is important."
Student: (Whiney voice starts here) "But why?"
Me: "Why is it such a big deal?"
Student: "Because...it's just SO much more writing!"
Me: "Well then, why don't you just do it your way, since you obviously just want to argue with me after I've already given you an answer."
(Insert intense sighing, huffing, puffing, and muttering here)
It was frustrating for me, but also an understandable and rational complaint. We all look for shortcuts everyday. Why would do things the long and proper way when we can get there so much faster if we start cutting corners? This question is applicable far beyond the realm of school work. Think about our relationships. How easy is it to cut corners there? Text instead of call. Narrow a friendship down to lunch once a month or an occassional "Hi, how are you" Facebook post. We are always trying to cut down on the amount of effort we have to exert to get things done.
Having had a little time to reflect on this, I think there's something to be said for taking the back roads occassionally--for stretching things out and letting them dwell. My favorite conversations with friends are the ones that start out as one cup of coffee and end up being five because we just can't stop talking. I love those family dinners that are supposed to be an hour and last all night because we're laughing and telling stories and looking at old photographs. The relationships that last are the ones that are grounded in the back roads. They're an investment, so they're worth all our time.
I know this is a far stretch from being frustrated with a student who wanted to shortcut my instructions, but it's true. So the wisdom for today is to take a few back roads and see where they lead you. I'm hoping to take a few this weekend, just to slow down and see where they take me. I have a feeling they lead to a pretty great place.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Just a Little Bit of Catch-up Blogging
Ok, so I know I look like a total slacker for not blogging regularly the past few weeks, but I can honestly say that I have not had the time. I'm blogging today on my prep period from school, because for some glorious reason, Central Office, in their infinite wisdom, has decided not to block blogspot at school. Thanks for helping me out there, guys :) Anyway, I've spent the past week having students give me a hard time about not blogging. One student, in particular, has brought it up everyday for the past five days as soon as he walks into class.
"Ms. Herring, where is your blog?!"
"Ms. Herring, you haven't updated in forever!"
"Ms. Herring, you LIED. I checked last night, and you did NOT blog."
Well ok, fine, here it is. I'm not making excuses. LOTS of blog-worthy things have happened over the past few weeks. Here's a few.....
But four weeks is still four weeks. All the major assignments are almost complete. So I promise to blog as much as humanly possible-- to document the little bit of time I have left to gain some wisdom from the middle. For today, the wisdom is this: Savor every last minute of an experience. Bask in the knowledge that the memories you make are yours forever. I feel like I haven't wasted a single minute of my time here, and I want to continue to glory in all those little moments and snatches of talk, not just at the middle school, but in every aspect of life. It's those tiny pieces of time that I know I'll look back on and love even more with the passage of time. So, expect me to be more punctual in my blogging efforts. I've got lots of last moments to savor.
"Ms. Herring, where is your blog?!"
"Ms. Herring, you haven't updated in forever!"
"Ms. Herring, you LIED. I checked last night, and you did NOT blog."
Well ok, fine, here it is. I'm not making excuses. LOTS of blog-worthy things have happened over the past few weeks. Here's a few.....
- I dressed up as the witches from Wicked/The Wizard of OZ with my mentor teacher to celebrate Halloween/Spirit Week, which involved me wearing a prom dress all day while I taught. Check out Facebook for some pretty excellent photos.
- I found out that 7th grade boys really do make inappropriate comments in the hall about young student teachers and said student teacher's decision to wear skinny jeans with boots to school on Friday. NEVER AGAIN.
- I mentioned that I was cold one day in class, to which 6th period giftgiver responded, "I could give you a hug to warm you up Ms. Herring." (I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried...)
- I set up a private social network for my students, taught them to blog, and graded 142 of the blogs I taught them to write.
- I presented their blogs at a curriculum conference, which was an exhausting and stressful, yet rewarding experience.
- And finally, I realized I only have four weeks left at the middle school.
But four weeks is still four weeks. All the major assignments are almost complete. So I promise to blog as much as humanly possible-- to document the little bit of time I have left to gain some wisdom from the middle. For today, the wisdom is this: Savor every last minute of an experience. Bask in the knowledge that the memories you make are yours forever. I feel like I haven't wasted a single minute of my time here, and I want to continue to glory in all those little moments and snatches of talk, not just at the middle school, but in every aspect of life. It's those tiny pieces of time that I know I'll look back on and love even more with the passage of time. So, expect me to be more punctual in my blogging efforts. I've got lots of last moments to savor.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Feeling Like a Food
At the end of last week I had a Show & Tell day with my classes. Yes, I know that's typically a first grade activity, but it had a purpose in my middle school classes. Each student had already formulated a theme or focus for the blog he or she is about to start as an assignment for my class. Their assignment for Show & Tell was to bring in an item that represented their blog ideas. Several boys brought in football helmets or jerseys from their football lockers. A few brought in political cartoons. Many students chose to focus on music by having a "playlist of their life" or a "song of the day" to describe the events of their day. But one girl, in particular had a Show & Tell item that stood out to me. She walked into 4th period with.....a coconut.
Now this item had all the more impact, because the student who brought it is so quiet and shy in class. When I looked at her with a questioning expression on my face, she simply smiled her little smile and sat down in her seat to get ready for class, with her coconut staring at me from her desk on the front row. What could she possibly be blogging about that can be represented by a coconut?!
We started Show & Tell and began going around the room. Each student introduced their item and then related it to their writing. Several students told beautiful explanations or personal connections they had to their item and their chosen blog theme. (Have I mentioned before that, whether or not the kids would admit it, I teach a whole bunch of overachievers?) About halfway through, it was time for the coconut. The sweet girl who brought it stood up in front of everyone, and with a big smile on her face, began explaining her blog.
"I plan to blog about what food I feel like everyday," she said. Okay, this makes a little more sense....except I don't know many people who eat coconuts and I'm confused about how you feel like a coconut unless you just listened to a Jimmy Buffett song or like pina coladas....
Then she got around to explaining the coconut. She told the class that most days, she feels like a coconut. Like the coconut, she said, she has a hard outer shell that covers up what is vulnerable on the inside. The hard outer shell wasn't meanness, she said, just a protection of what she didn't want anyone to know was inside of her. She could show people the outside and keep up a certain appearance, without ever revealing her true self. And, she said, it was very difficult for someone to crack into what she kept inside.
So that is how you feel like a coconut.
Well, needless to say, I was floored by this metaphor. I never would have analyzed the connection she found in the way that she did; it never ceases to amaze me how insightful middle schoolers can be....and people act like it's such a tough age. The more I've thought about the coconut over the weekend, the more I've realized that I'm just like her. I am just like that coconut, too. I cover up all the things that make me vulnerable, put on a smile, and focus on making the best of everyday, without ever showing most people my true thoughts or feelings. We all do it. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not some damaged soul who fakes happiness everyday just to get by. I truly am in a wonderful place right now, and I love the activities and people that make up my life. But I've experienced hurt and loss and betrayal just like everyone else has and will throughout their lifetime. It just took a 14-year-old perspective for me to figure out that I, too, feel like a food most days.
Now this item had all the more impact, because the student who brought it is so quiet and shy in class. When I looked at her with a questioning expression on my face, she simply smiled her little smile and sat down in her seat to get ready for class, with her coconut staring at me from her desk on the front row. What could she possibly be blogging about that can be represented by a coconut?!
We started Show & Tell and began going around the room. Each student introduced their item and then related it to their writing. Several students told beautiful explanations or personal connections they had to their item and their chosen blog theme. (Have I mentioned before that, whether or not the kids would admit it, I teach a whole bunch of overachievers?) About halfway through, it was time for the coconut. The sweet girl who brought it stood up in front of everyone, and with a big smile on her face, began explaining her blog.
"I plan to blog about what food I feel like everyday," she said. Okay, this makes a little more sense....except I don't know many people who eat coconuts and I'm confused about how you feel like a coconut unless you just listened to a Jimmy Buffett song or like pina coladas....
Then she got around to explaining the coconut. She told the class that most days, she feels like a coconut. Like the coconut, she said, she has a hard outer shell that covers up what is vulnerable on the inside. The hard outer shell wasn't meanness, she said, just a protection of what she didn't want anyone to know was inside of her. She could show people the outside and keep up a certain appearance, without ever revealing her true self. And, she said, it was very difficult for someone to crack into what she kept inside.
So that is how you feel like a coconut.
Well, needless to say, I was floored by this metaphor. I never would have analyzed the connection she found in the way that she did; it never ceases to amaze me how insightful middle schoolers can be....and people act like it's such a tough age. The more I've thought about the coconut over the weekend, the more I've realized that I'm just like her. I am just like that coconut, too. I cover up all the things that make me vulnerable, put on a smile, and focus on making the best of everyday, without ever showing most people my true thoughts or feelings. We all do it. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not some damaged soul who fakes happiness everyday just to get by. I truly am in a wonderful place right now, and I love the activities and people that make up my life. But I've experienced hurt and loss and betrayal just like everyone else has and will throughout their lifetime. It just took a 14-year-old perspective for me to figure out that I, too, feel like a food most days.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Joining the String
I feel like I've gotten a little lazy in my blogging....but I'm also not going to tell a lie--the past week has maybe been the very busiest one of the semester so far. In the past week I have:
On Friday, I started my big "project" for the semester. I'm teaching an eight-day unit themed around social networking. The kids will work with Facebook "status updates," take Tweets and make grammatically correct sentences out of them, and, most importantly, they'll be starting their own blogs. Their pre-assessment assignment was to write an essay about how social networking affects them and their society. I was really surprised by the range of answers I received.
Of course, I received what I expected from lots of students--"I'm addicted to Facebook" and "Social networking is my life" were common answers on several essays. However, I also got several student responses that thoughtfully considered the negative effects that social networking has had on their generation. One response from a 7th grade boy struck me as both thought provoking and beautifully written. This is what he wrote:
I feel sort of like I'm in a box. It's fairly large and translucent, but it's a box nonetheless. I can see, feel, hear, taste, and smell everything in my box, but that's it. I don't know if there's anything outside. When I see everybody else--my sisters, friends, and just about everything else, I look at their long arms, ears, and eyes, and see how deformed they look. They're all tied together with strings. Social networking cuts out their tongues and breaks their legs. They don't talk, don't move. I may be in a box, but it's airtight and free from contamination. I'm still human.
This is maybe the most beautiful extended metaphor I've ever heard about social networking. The abstract thinking that this student portrayed in his writing took my breath away. But isn't it also so true? Sometimes I wish I was in a box like him, shut out from the world and it's problems and drama. When I was sick and slept for 18 hours straight, it was kind of like being in his box. I got a break from Facebook, the news, and every other personal distraction for almost a whole day, and when I came back I felt like I had missed out on so much. I'm stuck in the string. So many of us are. The wisdom of this week is this: If you're going to be stuck in the string, be the positive part. Several of my students talked about the negative drama that social networking brings about. We all need to take a step back and be the positive part of all our networks, whether they're school, family, friend, or online networks. Be the change you wish to see in all your worlds this week, and I'll try to do the same.
- Uploaded what felt like a million assignments to my online teaching portfolio
- Switched my closet from spring/summer to fall/winter (YAY!)
- Finalized a thematic unit to teach to my classes
- Started a thematic unit of social networking with all my classes
- Cleaned my house thoroughly
- Finally took care of 2 1/2 to 3 weeks of laundry
- Started a PowerPoint for a curriculum conference presentation
- Went grocery shopping for the first time in over a month
- Got horribly sick and slept for 18 hours straight on Monday/Tuesday....it truly amazes me what utter exhaustion can do to the human body
On Friday, I started my big "project" for the semester. I'm teaching an eight-day unit themed around social networking. The kids will work with Facebook "status updates," take Tweets and make grammatically correct sentences out of them, and, most importantly, they'll be starting their own blogs. Their pre-assessment assignment was to write an essay about how social networking affects them and their society. I was really surprised by the range of answers I received.
Of course, I received what I expected from lots of students--"I'm addicted to Facebook" and "Social networking is my life" were common answers on several essays. However, I also got several student responses that thoughtfully considered the negative effects that social networking has had on their generation. One response from a 7th grade boy struck me as both thought provoking and beautifully written. This is what he wrote:
I feel sort of like I'm in a box. It's fairly large and translucent, but it's a box nonetheless. I can see, feel, hear, taste, and smell everything in my box, but that's it. I don't know if there's anything outside. When I see everybody else--my sisters, friends, and just about everything else, I look at their long arms, ears, and eyes, and see how deformed they look. They're all tied together with strings. Social networking cuts out their tongues and breaks their legs. They don't talk, don't move. I may be in a box, but it's airtight and free from contamination. I'm still human.
This is maybe the most beautiful extended metaphor I've ever heard about social networking. The abstract thinking that this student portrayed in his writing took my breath away. But isn't it also so true? Sometimes I wish I was in a box like him, shut out from the world and it's problems and drama. When I was sick and slept for 18 hours straight, it was kind of like being in his box. I got a break from Facebook, the news, and every other personal distraction for almost a whole day, and when I came back I felt like I had missed out on so much. I'm stuck in the string. So many of us are. The wisdom of this week is this: If you're going to be stuck in the string, be the positive part. Several of my students talked about the negative drama that social networking brings about. We all need to take a step back and be the positive part of all our networks, whether they're school, family, friend, or online networks. Be the change you wish to see in all your worlds this week, and I'll try to do the same.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Excerpt from 6th Period
Yesterday in 6th period, the class was seriously talkative and unfocused. It didn't matter what I did, five minutes after I had achieved some semblance of order we were back to talking and moving quickly off-task. This conversation took place as I was reaching a point of major frustration....
Me: Ok, guys, PLEASE stop talking. It just breaks my heart when you talk! You know what? I'm going to make a big heart with lots of pieces and hang it on the wall. When you talk, I'm going to go take a piece off and hand it to you so you have to think about how sad it makes me when you don't focus!
It goes quiet for a second, and then....
8th grade boy: So if I talk, you'll give me a piece of your heart?! I'm never gonna shutup!
Needless to say, my discipline technique was an epic fail. I think the lesson here is pretty obvious: ALWAYS think before you speak.
More to come tomorrow......
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