We are taking our first EVER spring break trip! Of course, we'll be spending it in Brownsville, watching Young Epic's college baseball team play double headers every day for the entire week. When I commented to Coach that we are thrilled to get to see that much baseball while we're there, he replied, "It's spring break. Gotta keep 'em playing baseball and keep 'em off the Island." Coach is a wise man.
We are spending a couple of days at Casa de Grandma on our way. Casa de Grandma has no internet access, no cell phone service, and the tv isn't working. I'm sitting in McDonalds now having paid $3 to check email (I'm expecting some parent messages), and, by golly, I paid for an hour of wireless service, so I'm going to use it! All of this pretty much fits my definition of "camping."
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Teacher Joy
One day this past week we were discussing book X of The Odyssey and discussing the leadership abilities of Odysseus. Two former students looked in the window of the door with about 3 minutes left in class, and I waved them into the room. As they joined us I told them we were discussing the part where Odysseus and his men see Ithaka, but they get blown all the way back to the island of Aeolia. I then asked them what caused this to happen.
These two guys are athletes, and, during their time with me did not seem to especially enjoy literature, so I was holding my breath, hoping they would at least remember reading the book! One of them replied, "It was because Odysseus fell asleep."
I was thrilled that he remembered at least that much, but I couldn't resist pushing my luck. So I acknowledged his answer as correct, but then asked the deeper problem, the one that caused Odysseus to fall asleep. The other young man replied, "He didn't trust his men to handle the sail, so he stayed awake for over a week, and then he was so exhausted that he fell asleep. Because he had stayed awake so long, the men thought there was treasure in the bag and Odysseus was guarding it to keep it from them. That's why they opened it and the wind blew them all the way back. If you're a leader, you've got to learn to trust the people around you or they won't trust you."
I love my job.
If your children are in a school that (generally freshman year) does not teach the entire text of The Odyssey but just uses the abridged version found in literature books, may I suggest that you read the entire work with your children. I have really good focus questions that I created for the Lattimore translation. I provide those to students to use for the reading they have to do on their own. The questions really help them focus on the reading and figure out what is going on in the book. I'll be happy to share those with any who would like them.
These two guys are athletes, and, during their time with me did not seem to especially enjoy literature, so I was holding my breath, hoping they would at least remember reading the book! One of them replied, "It was because Odysseus fell asleep."
I was thrilled that he remembered at least that much, but I couldn't resist pushing my luck. So I acknowledged his answer as correct, but then asked the deeper problem, the one that caused Odysseus to fall asleep. The other young man replied, "He didn't trust his men to handle the sail, so he stayed awake for over a week, and then he was so exhausted that he fell asleep. Because he had stayed awake so long, the men thought there was treasure in the bag and Odysseus was guarding it to keep it from them. That's why they opened it and the wind blew them all the way back. If you're a leader, you've got to learn to trust the people around you or they won't trust you."
I love my job.
If your children are in a school that (generally freshman year) does not teach the entire text of The Odyssey but just uses the abridged version found in literature books, may I suggest that you read the entire work with your children. I have really good focus questions that I created for the Lattimore translation. I provide those to students to use for the reading they have to do on their own. The questions really help them focus on the reading and figure out what is going on in the book. I'll be happy to share those with any who would like them.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Passion
I don't usually post more than once a day (okay-or week-or two), but a comment from Denny prompted me.
I am fully aware that some teachers in some schools work in less than ideal conditions, do not receive administrative support, and deal with difficult student/parent situations. But that just isn't my situation. In The Iliad, Homer shows what happens when the king (Agamemnon) isn't being kingly. His arrogant, selfish behavior, his "it's all about me" attitude, causes Achilles to stop fighting and go sit down beside his ships. When leaders today (in any profession) don't exhibit true leadership, those who follow them become discouraged, jaded, and, eventually face burn out. They mentally "go sit down beside their ships."
The principal of my school is a leader, and he behaves as one. We work hard, and I am exhausted at the end of each day, but so are the students. Teachers are held to high standards, and so are the students. That attitude filters down from the principal's office to the classrooms. From the classrooms, we communicate with the parents, and once the parents are on board, the sky is the limit.
It also helps that I am passionate (some would say obsessed) when it comes to what I do. I take it as a personal failure if a kid does not reach his or her full academic potential. Invariably, the occasional student, for what ever reason, just will not put forth the effort, and I am always deeply bothered by that. But I never give up on any kid. Outside of the accomplishments of my own kids, nothing in the world thrills me more than when a kid works very hard and has success in my classroom.
Last week, after our first test over The Odyssey (and it was a tough one), several kids made comments about how smart it makes them feel to be able to read and understand this stuff. They ARE smart-they just need the opportunity to realize their potential. My colleagues in my school have the same passion. It's common to see one of us walking in the hall holding a student paper and stopping people to read aloud to them a brilliant written thought.That passion infects our students, and they respond.
So, I appreciate the thought, but I would not trade professions with any person in the entire world.
I am fully aware that some teachers in some schools work in less than ideal conditions, do not receive administrative support, and deal with difficult student/parent situations. But that just isn't my situation. In The Iliad, Homer shows what happens when the king (Agamemnon) isn't being kingly. His arrogant, selfish behavior, his "it's all about me" attitude, causes Achilles to stop fighting and go sit down beside his ships. When leaders today (in any profession) don't exhibit true leadership, those who follow them become discouraged, jaded, and, eventually face burn out. They mentally "go sit down beside their ships."
The principal of my school is a leader, and he behaves as one. We work hard, and I am exhausted at the end of each day, but so are the students. Teachers are held to high standards, and so are the students. That attitude filters down from the principal's office to the classrooms. From the classrooms, we communicate with the parents, and once the parents are on board, the sky is the limit.
It also helps that I am passionate (some would say obsessed) when it comes to what I do. I take it as a personal failure if a kid does not reach his or her full academic potential. Invariably, the occasional student, for what ever reason, just will not put forth the effort, and I am always deeply bothered by that. But I never give up on any kid. Outside of the accomplishments of my own kids, nothing in the world thrills me more than when a kid works very hard and has success in my classroom.
Last week, after our first test over The Odyssey (and it was a tough one), several kids made comments about how smart it makes them feel to be able to read and understand this stuff. They ARE smart-they just need the opportunity to realize their potential. My colleagues in my school have the same passion. It's common to see one of us walking in the hall holding a student paper and stopping people to read aloud to them a brilliant written thought.That passion infects our students, and they respond.
So, I appreciate the thought, but I would not trade professions with any person in the entire world.
English Teacher Bliss
- I spent Friday and half of Saturday at an AP/PreAP English conference in Richardson. The information, and the company, renewed my spirit, and I'm eager to get back in the classroom.
- The trip was eventful both days. I wasn't expecting to drive on Friday, but a last minute problem changed our plans. I didn't have a map, so we took 35 to 635 to 75, and I HATE driving in heavy traffic. Just think of Lucy and Ethal, and I was Ethal (Lucy, are you SURE this is a good idea...). We arrived in plenty of time, but with frazzled nerves, and had a good laugh about the whole ordeal. On Saturday, Lucy drove. She knew an easier route. When we got to McKINNEY she turned back. Did I mention that I get car sick?
- Presenters at these conferences often show samples of student work, and that's always helpful. Since it's helpful to me, I assume that it will be helpful to my students. So, I pulled out my phone and snapped pictures. Now I just have to figure out how to transfer them to my laptop. I bought an LG USB cable, but it has no software. I downloaded the software, but when I try to connect to my phone, my phone flashes that there isn't enough memory, and the connection fails. I'm sure a student will be able to help me...
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Baseball Rules
- Never step on the chalk lines when entering or exiting the field of play.
- If a pitcher steps on the lines, he can fully expect that the baseball gods will hold a bunted ball spinning in the chalk line as the catcher or third baseman helplessly waits for it to roll foul, and the despised batter takes first.
- A new bat has to have time in the batting cage before use in a game. It won't know what to do in a game if it hasn't had cuts in the cage.
Saturday-not as much fun. As Mr. E said, "I don't mind being cold when I watch baseball, and I don't mind getting sunburned. But it's just WRONG to have both happen at the same time!"
Young E's team lost 3 of the 4 games-each by 1 run. Bummer. But-over the years I've come to enjoy the individual excellence of players on the field. One of the guys went 7 for 7 on Friday, and one was a homerun short of the cycle.
The mothers of pitchers live in our own special hell when our sons are on the mound. In Young E's first inning, the first I've seen him pitch this year, the first batter got on by a short stop error, the next guy flied out. He walked the next batter, and then the behemoth first baseman came to the plate. He hit a ball that may still be going. At that point I had to DO something. As a baseball mom, I know that when things aren't going well, a change must be made. It's the rule of the Baseball Gods. The only thing I could do was move, so I headed for the bathroom, but stopped on the way to watch him strike out the next guy. In order to avoid irritating the gods, I had to continue to the bathroom. He got the final out of the inning on a pop fly.
His next inning he didn't give up a run, and I got to stay in my chair. There was an amazing play that inning. The right fielder caught a fly ball and then threw out the runner who had tagged at third and tried to go home. It was a laser beam of a throw, and the catcher caught the ball and tagged the runner in the same motion. It was a beautiful thing to watch, and I'm glad the baseball gods did not require me to be in the bathroom when it happened.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
The Odyssey
We start reading tomorrow. Woo-whoo! We talked about Greek mythology today, and I told many of the stories. I told the Trojan War in an hour (with the back stories). Three times. My throat hurts. But it's SO worth it. The kids (even the "cool" kids) got wide-eyed several times.
One guy asked how long I had to study "that stuff" to know it so well. I honestly didn't have an answer. It's always been a part of my life. My grandparents told me many of the stories, and once I learned to read, I read a great deal of Greek mythology on my own. In fact, I got some of my Greek mythology mixed up with my Bible stories. I recall arguing with a Sunday school teacher that God did too chain some guy to a mountain and have an eagle eat out his liver everyday...
One guy asked how long I had to study "that stuff" to know it so well. I honestly didn't have an answer. It's always been a part of my life. My grandparents told me many of the stories, and once I learned to read, I read a great deal of Greek mythology on my own. In fact, I got some of my Greek mythology mixed up with my Bible stories. I recall arguing with a Sunday school teacher that God did too chain some guy to a mountain and have an eagle eat out his liver everyday...
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