Okay, so here we are in the last week before Christmas break.
It is amazing the time that is spent in this week just staying on task. I have the rest of the course planned out, and now it is just a matter of getting through it.
On other fronts, today's funny comes from my first block class. The ACT was administered over this weekend, and many of my graduating seniors took the test. Today, several of them, after my having explicitly and clearly shifted from the more authentic methods of teaching revision through the writing process to the multiple choice assessment style for revision that the departmental final uses, have told me that the form of editing and revision that we've used for the past couple of weeks helped them while taking the test.
Apparently, I know what I am doing after all.... if the ACT uses it, well, it must be good, right?
Good heavens, what have we taught these kids about standardized tests and their standards of valuation for success or failure?!?!?!?
I am all for teaching Discourse as Discourse. In fact, I make a point of making it very, very explicit that we are doing things in a particular way to participate in a particular Discourse, even if I never use the "D" word per se. I guess it is true that sometimes we are limited to triage.
On other fronts, I got a great e-mail today. My wrestler did very well in the tournament on Friday that he competed in, and took first place. Too bad the tournament took him out of a class that he is failing, and really needed the time within to get necessary material for the last unit test and final.
Oh, the joys of teaching the Student Athlete who is much more athlete than student...
On a personal front, I am definitely heading back to the gym tonight. I've spent the better part of the last two weeks doing all sorts of things for other people, and not getting to the gym and taking care of myself, so tonight, the wife and I are heading to the 24 hour gym. Of course, this is predicated on the girls being in bed and Grandma is safely there to watch them... and that the grading is done.... and... no. I am going, dangit!
Anyway, with all the joys of the season I am...
The Beginning Teacher
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